$500 Million Online Gambling Ring Busted

Yesterday, the Queens DA's office and NYPD announced that 30 people were arrested in a half-billion gambling ring with mob ties. NY1 reports, "The alleged gambling ring made about $23 million a month on websites...While the ring was run in the city, the websites' computer servers were based in Panama." Kelly said, "The principal in this case, Gambino associate Joseph J. Fafone, personally delivered $553,000 in winnings to one of the gamblers. Most proceeds were seized soon thereafter [in Long Island] when the [gambler] was stopped by the police for driving while using a cell phone."

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on October 22, 2009 11:42 AM

Comments [rss]

Mr Mel

" Gambino associate Joseph J. Fafone, personally delivered $553,000 in winnings to one of the gamblers."

I wonder what the delivery fees were?

Kojak

People will always find ways around this. Its pretty easy to do, especially when the U.S. is powerless to shut down online gambling operations overseas.

Antigua and Barbuda successfully argued to the WTO that such sanctions are illegal, but the US will probably ignore the rulings, unless the lawsuit is successful. We want everyone to abide by WTO rules, EXCEPT when it interferes to our interests.

Obviously.

butterbutter

According to NY1:

The alleged gambling ring made about $23 million a month on websites including BetAllSportsHere.com, BetMSG.com and BetOnline.com. While the ring was run in the city, the websites' computer servers were based in Panama.