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Rhode Island is the latest state that is proving to be inhospitable to bookies.
On Friday, August 1, it was announced that a state grand jury had returned indictments in connection to an alleged sports betting ring operating in the northern part of the state.
David Ayotte of North Smithfield, a long-time Woonsocket parks department employee, was indicted on charges of organized criminal gambling, bookmaking and conspiracy. Eight others were also indicted. The indictments were reported out Friday.
The Rhode Island State Police and attorney general's office conducted the investigation into the alleged sports-betting ring. State police conducted wiretaps and did other surveillance and arrested multiple suspects in February.
Arraignments are scheduled in Providence Superior Court for Aug. 20.
The arrests come after several others had plead no contest in connection to the bookmaking operation.
Rhode Island is one of the states tough on bookies. They do make bookmaking a felony. It’s no wonder more and more local bookies in that tiny state these days are utilizing Pay Per Head Sites located offshore to run their stateside businesses.
Rhode Island may be the smallest US state in terms of area but they have sports fans galore that make up the New England Patriots market in the NFL and Boston Red Sox market in Major League Baseball. The Providence Friars have also enjoyed much success in College Basketball.
- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com
