- This topic is empty.
-
Posts
-
31 People have been arrested in Arizona and Nevada for a betting “ring”. Even though it involved loan sharking and collecting bets OFFLINE at bars the local news pointed out that the ring did have websites :rolleyes:
Let’s hope the media doesnt label this one as “Online Gambling Bust!” like they tend to do.
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0425gambling0425.html
Quote:Betting probe nets 31 arrests
Millions seized from 4 rings operating in Valley bars, restaurants
Judi Villa
The Arizona Republic
Apr. 25, 2007 12:00 AMMaricopa County sheriff’s deputies busted up four loosely tied betting rings on Tuesday, arresting 31 people and seizing millions of dollars in cash, cars and property.
Fifty-two search warrants were executed simultaneously in Phoenix, Los Angeles and Las Vegas on the gambling rings that undercover deputies had infiltrated for two years, officials said.
Bettors placed wagers on Web sites while bookies, collectors and loan sharks operating out of Valley bars and restaurants handled the money.
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said some of those arrested Tuesday are believed to be tied to the Gambino, Bonanno and Colombo mob families.
No one connected with those families was arrested.
“When you play poker, that’s for amusement,” Arpaio said. “This is not for amusement. This is to make money, to make money illegally. That’s what this organization is all about.”
Arpaio said millions of dollars were being collected, and sometimes extorted, from bettors using toll-free numbers and online sites based in Costa Rica.
Interest rates were as high as 51 percent for people who couldn’t pay their debts, and threats of violence weren’t uncommon, Arpaio said.
Some bettors were forced to give up their homes and deplete retirement funds.
“This type of activity financially ruined several families,” Arpaio said.
Sheriff’s officials expect to collect $145 million in assets before the completion of Operation High Stakes.
Bettors wagered on sports, putting down anything from a couple of hundred to several thousand dollars on a game, Deputy Chief Bill Knightsaid.
Large amounts of cocaine also were flowing through the gambling syndicates, Arpaio said.
Officials said they will freeze 120 local bank accounts and place racketeering liens on numerous homes and businesses.
Knight said online gambling isn’t illegal, but “if the collection of cash takes place here in the state, then it becomes an issue.”
“All of the money collection was done locally,” he said.
Officials believe the cash exchanges took place at several Valley bars and restaurants, but those businesses were not part of the gambling ring.
Edgardo Olivas, general manager of Venice Ristorante Italiano in Ahwatukee, said sheriff’s deputies were waiting for him when he arrived at the restaurant Tuesday morning.
“I was surprised to see them,” Olivas said.
“I sat and talked with them. All I can say is I don’t know anything about it.”
Those arrested Tuesday face charges that include the promotion of gambling, money laundering, conspiracy and extortion.
Dutch Hollaender, assistant manager of Jilly’s American Grill in Chandler, said he was shocked to hear regular customers were involved.
“We knew we had casual gamblers, but certainly not to the degree that they were involved,” Hollaender said.
“We were not aware of any illegal activity. We knew of football friendly wages.”
Knight said online gambling isn’t illegal
very nice!
Knight said online gambling isn’t illegal,
excellent!!!!
