At least 64 People Arrested in U.S. Online Gambling Stings

As first reported on gambling911 website, more than 64 people have been arrested, with others being sought in connection to various online gambling stings that were coordinated throughout New York, New Jersey and Connecticut on Wednesday.

Agents throughout the tri-state area were apprehended during the overnight hours of Tuesday, and on Wednesday morning.  More than 300 officers in New Jersey alone worked the case. 

Much of the gambling business was conducted throughout a wire room in Costa Rica.  50KSports.com was named in the New York complaint. 

A massive New Jersey sweep resulted in 47 arrests.  A New York bust resulted in the arrests of 17 people; amongst them were former New York City police officers, an ex-Merrill Lynch broker, and a secretarial coordinator Atlanta-based King & Spalding’s New York law firm. Others were being sought and more charges are expected.

“We have struck a powerful blow at the organisational level of an illegal gambling organisation that has been reaping millions in illegal profits,” Monmouth County Prosecutor Luis Valentin said.

He identified three ringleaders of the operation as Joseph Pasquale, 50, of Brick Township, Richard Crossan, 48, of Hillsborough in Somerset County, and Ralph Santoro, 52, of Bridgewater. All three were charged with money laundering, conspiracy, racketeering, and promoting gambling.

The three men are being held on $1 million bail and were due to make an initial court appearance on Thursday. It was not immediately clear if the three had hired lawyers.

In carrying out raids at 70 locations, authorities seized over $2 million in cash, froze numerous bank accounts, and seized 14 vehicles and a 28-foot yacht owned by Pasquale somewhat aptly named ‘Risky Business’.