Broward Sheriff Wants $1.22 Million in Cash From Illegal Sports Betting Ring

Despite no criminal charges being filed, Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony still wants $1.22 million in cash, nine poker chips worth $1,000 each and 25 gold coins worth an estimated $44,400, all of which was secured from an illegal sports gambling ring, according to court filings.

Assets seized through forfeiture go into a trust fund but the Broward Sheriff is asking a judge if his department can keep the spoils.   This type of request is not typical prior to criminal charges being filed. A forfeiture petition filed in August described the operation and indicated charges were forthcoming, but none have been filed as of Dec. 24.

William Cascioli, 59, is alleged to have been running the bookie business until 2018.  His operation was said to have raked in “hundreds of thousands in proceeds weekly.”

Employees of local casinos were believed to have been recruited as “agents” of the organization.

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The probe into Cascioli's business included the interception of two $10 Yahtzee games that were shipped paying $180 in cash.  The packages were found to contain $100,000.

Defense lawyers have until Jan. 14 to submit their arguments to the 4th District Court of Appeal. In all, authorities seized $1.22 million in cash, nine poker chips worth $1,000 each, and 25 gold coins worth an estimated $44,400 from homes belonging to Cascioli, Martin Zarcadoolas, 55, and two others: Todd Schettino, 58, of Pembroke Pines, and Harris Steinhart, 79, of Coral Springs.

It is not immediately clear if Florida's failed efforts to offer sports betting via a new compact with the Seminoles have had an bearing on the delay in filing charges. 

- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com