Crime

Bodog Raid Before and After: Typhoon Yolanda Relief Supplies Gone

Much controversy arose late Tuesday following news released by Gambling911.com that law enforcement allegedly confiscated relief supplies for victims of Typhoon Yolanda during a 5-hour raid of online gambling firm Bodog’s Manila, Philippines office last week.

Photos obtained exclusively by Gambling911.com show the Bodog office before it was raided, then the ransacked office immediately following the raid.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Nov/26/2013

‘Ray Donovan’ Producer Sentenced for Role in Russian Mob Gambling Operative

The former producer of Showtime’s popular “Ray Donovan” cable television series, Bryan Zuriff, has escaped prison time for his role in a Russian Mob-run illegal gambling ring.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Nov/25/2013

Colombo Crime Boss Attempts $164 Home Depot Heist: Arrested

Angelo “Little Angelo” Spata has been charged with shoplifting $164 worth of lighting equipment from a Brooklyn, New York Home Depot.

Spata is the son-in-law of Colombo crime boss Carmine “The Snake” Persico.

A police report indicates that the alleged heist occurred November 8 whereby Spata attempted to exit the store with a dimmer switch and LED recessed lights without paying.

“How pathetic!” a law enforcement source told the New York Daily News. 

The maximum prison sentence for this misdemeanor is one year in prison.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Nov/25/2013

Poker Babe Anna Benson to be on ‘Dr. Phil’: Attacked Ex With Gun, Baton

Set your VCRs, DVRs or just plain stay home Wednesday afternoon (November 27, 2013) as the one and only Anna Benson is slated to appear on “Dr. Phil”.

You might recall this poker babe plead guilty to attacking her ex-husband, former Major League Baseball player Kris Benson, during a brazen home invasion. 

Here is a quick recap of what transpired that evening:

Submitted by Nagesh Rath on, Nov/22/2013

Deja Woo: Gambling911.com and Bodog Raids, Perfect Together (Video)

One would think that the Philippines government would have more important things to do than conduct a nonsensical raid on Bodog’s offices Thursday evening.  After all, that island nation was just hit with the worst typhoon ever recorded and the devastation is something few of us can grasp, not to mention that Bodog’s Founder, Calvin Ayre, just pledged $1 million to Typhoon Yolanda relief efforts.

Submitted by Alejandro Botticelli on, Nov/21/2013

Chavit Singson Gang Allegedly Orchestrates Raid on Bodog in Manila – G911 World Exclusive

Gambling911.com  sources in the Philippines have confirmed that offices of Bodog in Manila have been raided and those within the company are pointing the finger at former Philippines "Gangster Governor" Chavit Singson as the mastermind behind this action.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Nov/21/2013

Moooonlighting Mobster-Cattle Rancher Convicted in Racketeering Trial

(Associated Press) - A former mob associate who spent over a decade posing as a cattle rancher in Idaho has been convicted of federal charges including the attempted murder of a man who became the boss of the New England Mafia.

Enrico Ponzo was convicted Wednesday after a month long racketeering trial.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Nov/20/2013

Robert De Niro's Failed Audition as Sonny Corleone in 'The Godfather' Surfaces (Video)

Robert De Niro didn’t get the part of Sonny Corleone in the classic 1972 film “The Godfather”.

A failed audition tape surfaced this week, which showed De Niro, in his late 20’s,  is seen spinning around in front of the cameras wearing a black trilby hat and a buttoned-up grey shirt.  While the performance may have been good, it wasn't enough to make the cut.

De Niro would go on to win the part in "The Godfather"'s second installment, a role that would ultimately lead to an Academy Award.

Submitted by Jordan Bach on, Nov/20/2013

Philly Mobster Asks Why He Should Go to Prison for Something PA Will Soon Make Legal

With the announcement that the state of Pennsylvania is pushing to legalize gambling in bars, Philly Mobster George Borgesi questioned why he should be going to prison for essentially engaging in the same type of business model.

"So what are we doing here?" he asked a reporter Tuesday during a break from his retrial on racketeering conspiracy charges.

From the Philadelphia Inquirer:

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Nov/19/2013

Mobster Frank ‘Bobo’ Marrapese Sentenced to 9 Years for Role in Sports Betting Ring

PROVIDENCE – (Associated Press) - A reputed New England mobster was sentenced to nine years in prison after pleading guilty on Monday in connection with an illegal sports betting ring.

Frank "Bobo" Marrapese, 70, pleaded guilty before Superior Court Judge William E. Carnes Jr. to five counts of extortion conspiracy and one count each of racketeering conspiracy and conspiracy to commit criminal usury.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Nov/19/2013

Purple Gang Mobster Shot Dead in Bronx: Brother Killed Up to 70 People

A violent thug involved in the Harlem and Bronx trade during the 70’s and 80’s was found shot execution-style in his head late Friday night.

Submitted by Alejandro Botticelli on, Nov/18/2013

Professional Poker Player Vadim Trincher Facing Up to 27 Months in Prison

A professional poker player has confessed to his role in running an illegal sports betting operation that catered to wealthy gamblers in the United States, Russia and the Ukraine.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Nov/15/2013

Elusive Boston Crime Boss Whitey Bulger Sentenced to Life Behind Bars

BOSTON — (Associated Press) - Former Boston crime boss James “Whitey” Bulger was led off to prison Thursday to begin serving a life sentence at 84 for his murderous reign in the 1970s and ‘80s, accepting his punishment in stone-faced silence even as a judge castigated him for his “almost unfathomable” depravity.

Bulger’s sentencing brought to a close a sordid case that exposed FBI complicity in his crimes and left a trail of devastated families whose loved ones — fathers, uncles, brothers and sisters — were killed by Bulger or his henchmen.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Nov/14/2013

Helly Nahmad Admits to ‘Crossing Line’ in Russian Mob Run Sports Betting Ring

New York City art gallery owner Helly Nahmad, as reported earlier in the week, has plead guilty to a single  count of gambling in Federal court and will have to fork up $6.4 million in restitution.  That won’t be very difficult as his family is worth approximately $3 billion.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Nov/14/2013

Syracuse FSU Betting Line -38 Despite QB Jameis Winston Sexual Assault Allegations

The Syracuse FSU betting line was hanging in there at Seminoles -38 but we could see this number come down with news that the Noles quarterback Jameis Winston is being investigated for an alleged sexual assault that reportedly occurred last year.  We witnessed how negative publicity surrounding the Miami Dolphins affected their game Monday night (albeit they were also missing two of their key players). 

Submitted by Dan Shapiro on, Nov/13/2013

Armed Bandits Hold of Bookie Shop With Roll of Wall Paper

A terrified bookmaker shop manager handed over £2000 to what he thought were two armed gunmen.  Instead, it turns out the bandits held up the shop, not with a gun, but with a roll of wallpaper.  That wallpaper was concealed in a bag and made to look like a gun.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Nov/13/2013

Gallery Owner Hillel Nahmad to Plead Guilty in Russian Mob-Linked Gambling Case

Overnight, Gambling911.com brought you the story of how “Donovan” producer Bryan Zuriff was begging for leniency as he is due to be sentenced for his role in a Russian mob-tied online sports betting and poker ring. Today we are learning that one of the alleged key figures in the ring, art gallery owner Hillel Nahmad, is set to plead guilty later today (Tuesday, November 12, 2013).

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Nov/12/2013

‘Donovan’ Producer Tied to Russian Mob Run Gambling Ring Begs Judge for Mercy

“Ray Donovan” star John Voight along with Hollywood film directors Judd Apatow and Peter Berg have penned a letter asking a judge for leniency when sentencing former “Ray Donovan” producer Bryan Zuriff. 

Mr. Zuriff has also begged for mercy from Los ANgeles Judge Jesse Furman. 

Submitted by Alejandro Botticelli on, Nov/11/2013

Matt Damon Slated to Play Notorious Boston Mobster Whitey Bulger in Afleck Film

Ben Afleck has announced plans to direct a film about convicted Boston mobster James “Whitey” Bulger for Warner Bros studios and rumors are swirling that Matt Damon will play the lead role.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Nov/10/2013

Man Charged in ‘Urban Terrorist’ Attack on Detroit Barbershop, Gambling Den

Detroit police have charged Larry Walker Jr. with assault against a federal officer following a mass shooting at a barbershop that left three dead and six others wounded.

Prosecutors filed the criminal complaint Friday afternoon alleging that Walker Jr. had attempted to ram the officer’s vehicle with his own car.

The FBI says Walker yelled, "No one chases my mamma," referring to a female. Walker was wearing body armor.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Nov/08/2013

Chicago Area Man Charged After Tasering Wife to Settle Bears-Packers Bet

A Chicago-area man, John Grant, 42, has been charged with the use of an electric weapon after tasering his wife three times at a bar. 

BetOnline

The man told police his wife had lost a Monday Night Football bet between the Bears and Packers.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Nov/08/2013

Person of Interest Arrested in Barbershop, Gambling Den Slayings

(Associated Press) - A convicted felon who was wearing body armor when police arrested him in a Detroit suburb will be questioned in an investigation into the fatal shooting of three men in a back gambling room of an east side barbershop.

Detroit Police Chief James Craig described the man as a person of interest in Wednesday evening's shooting at Al's Barber Shop that left six other people wounded. Speaking at a Thursday news conference at police headquarters, Craig said the bloodshed may have stemmed from an ongoing feud.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Nov/07/2013

Chavit Singson the ‘Gangster Governor’ Linked to Gustafsson Gang

In another Gambling911.com World Exclusive and part of an ongoing special investigation, we can now reveal that our sources on the ground in Manila have been able to uncover several links between the so-called “Gangster Governor” Chavit Singson and the former Bodog employees recently indicted in the Philippines for Qualified Theft and the latest charge of Car Napping/Conspiracy. View the most recent indictment here.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Nov/07/2013

9 People Shot, Two Dead at Detroit Barber Shop That Doubled as Gambling Den

Nine people were shot with two pronounced dead following a shooting at a Detroit barbershop known for being a gambling den.  The shooting occurred at approximately 6 pm local time at Rockies Barbershop .

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Nov/06/2013

Judge Denies SC Bookie Convicted of Killing Wife New Trial

An Irmo, South Carolina bookie convicted for the 2012 shooting death of his wife has been denied a new gambling trial.

Attorneys for Brett Parker filed the motion after a key witness, Ben Staples, was charged with fraud.  The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) alleges that Staples was part of a scheme to defraud funds from terminally ill patients. 

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Nov/05/2013

Robert Gustafsson Slapped With Second Indictment re: Alleged Embezzlement

Another Gambling911.com world exclusive as we have learned that late Tuesday evening (Philippines time) that the Global Internal Audit (Asset Management Group) investigating the alleged embezzlements by former Bodog director Robert Gustafsson and his so called "Swedish Mafia" have leveled yet another indictment against Gustafsson, former CFO Arleen Aldaba, Sherwin Quiambao and Sylvia De Guzman.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Nov/05/2013

Chavit Singson Claims to be Victim of the Robert Gustafsson Gang

We have a new reader on Gambling911.com, it’s rumored the former Governor of Philippine province Ilcos Sur Luis ‘Chavit’ Singson really liked that we chose a picture of him next to his favorite pet tiger. Multiple sources also allege that Chavit Singson has stated Robert Gustafsson, Patrik Selin and their so-called "Swedish Mafia" had swindled him out of $3 Million US. 

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Nov/03/2013

Legends Sports Money Transfer Point Person Pleads Guilty

A female employee of the now shuttered online sportsbook Legends Sports has plead guilty in a New York federal court to laundering $8 million.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Nov/01/2013

Cantor Gaming Claims Former Director Acted Alone: US Gov Investigation Ongoing

The New York Times on Tuesday unveiled a lengthy investigative piece into Cantor Gaming and the ongoing investigation into potential improprieties surrounding the firm.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Oct/29/2013

Robert Gustafsson Gang Charged with Theft in Philippines: G911 World Exclusive

Gambling911.com has exclusively obtained the first of what is expected to be many Theft charges to be filed against former Bodog executive Robert Gustafsson, Sylvia Bernadette Gonzales de Guzman and Sherwin Quiambao by the Philippines Department of Justice Office of the City rosecutors in Makati City. YOU CAN VIEW THE COMPLAINT-AFFIDAVIT HERE OBTAINED EXCLUSIVELY BY GAMBLING911.COM

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Oct/24/2013

Breaking News

Rush Street Interactive, MGM Announce 1st Quarter Earnings for 2025

"MGM Resorts achieved strong first quarter results across our portfolio in the face of the well anticipated comparison to last year's Super Bowl in Las Vegas, highlighted by a positive EBITDA performance at our BetMGM venture," said Bill Hornbuckle, Chief Executive Officer & President of MGM Resorts International.