Five members of the Lucchese crime family pleaded guilty to running an illegal betting scheme worth $25 million in profits from the past 25 years.
Rhino Sports was an illegal online betting business that had been in operation since the early 2000s. It employed mafia figures as bookmakers and took bets from 400-1,300 users per week.
It was based in the Bronx and Winchester counties in New York. It’s not the only gambling-related issue the city has seen; earlier this year, DraftKings was sued for misleading New Yorkers with “risk-free” betting claims.
U.S. Attorney John J. Durham said: “These guilty pleas represent a victory for the rule of law over the pernicious activities of organized crime that undermine the safety of our communities.
“Illegal gambling businesses require enforcement and protection from mob rivals that carry the persistent threat of violence.
“However, the defendant’s luck ran out and, thanks to the hard work of the team of prosecutors and investigators, they will be held accountable for their crimes and pay their debt to society.”
Anthony Villani is a 60-year-old resident of Elmsford who acted as a soldier for the Lucchese family. He pleaded guilty to racketeering, money laundering, and gambling illegally. He has agreed to a fine of $4 million and will face 20 years in prison.
The other defendants were guilty of handling money from Rhino Sports and using gambling profits to buy fake money orders under false names, prosecutors say.
James E. Dennehy, assistant director in charge of the New York field office, said: “However, the men pleading guilty in this case illustrate how entrenched the traditional mafia are in their noxious and familiar criminality.”
The five defendants await sentencing, though a sixth suspect is still on the run.
In other news, New York could see online casino legislation passed as early as 2025.
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