Fergie's Tech Blog

N.Y., N.J. Hit Internet Gambling Rings

Roy Mark writes on internetnews.com:

New York and New Jersey law enforcement officials busted two Internet bookmaking operations today that allegedly handled more than half a billion dollars in sports wagers over the last 16 months. Authorities said the arrests targeted "traditional mob-run" bookie operations.

In more than 70 raids based in Queens County, N.Y., and Monmouth County, N.J., authorities arrested 54 people with 12 more still at large. Among the host of criminal enterprise, conspiracy and money laundering charges, the defendants are charged with operating an unlawful gambling enterprise on the Internet.

Among those charged as a bookmaker is John Kinahan, 56, a former New York City police officer and current manager of a Long Island topless dancing club owned by his wife, Ginger Kinahan, 56. In New Jersey, raids netted more than $2 million in cash and a luxury yacht named "Risky Business" owned by the ring's alleged principle bookmaker, Joseph Pasquale, 51, of Mantoloking, N.J.

Queens County District Attorney Richard A. Brown said bettors and the ring's runners and managers used a Web site with its servers located in Costa Rica.

posted by Fergie @ 3/28/2007 06:48:00 PM