12 Are Arrested in Gambling Operation

TheGeneral+ · Feb 7, 2005

Twelve people were arrested Saturday in an investigation of illegal gambling operations, including Super Bowl wagering, that brought in more than $100 million a year, the authorities said yesterday.

The arrests, part of an investigation known as Kings Flush, were made in a series of raids of betting locations, including private homes and at least one social club - in Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island and Brooklyn.

The arrests were announced by the Brooklyn district attorney, Charles J. Hynes; the Staten Island district attorney, Daniel M. Donovan; and Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly.

Two of the defendants are charged with promoting gambling in the second degree, a misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to a year in prison, the authorities said.

The others were charged with promoting gambling in the first degree, a felony that is punishable by up to four years in prison.

nytimes.com

TheGeneral+ · Feb 7, 2005

Mafia bosses shouldn't be the only ones profiting from New Yorkers' billion-dollar-a-year gambling habit. The state deserves a cut, too, Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes said yesterday.

Hynes, a Democrat running for a fifth term in a hotly contested race, called for the state to legalize all sports betting - even as he announced the Super Bowl Sunday arrest of 12 alleged bookies.

The dozen New York City men were charged with running mob-backed illegal gambling rings that pulled in more than $100 million a year, Hynes said.

"This is a cash cow for organized crime," Hynes said. "This is not a victimless crime."

Illegal gambling yields $15 billion to $30 billion a year in the city and about $100 billion nationwide, Hynes said.

Hynes said the state could encourage safe gambling practices if sports bets were legal. Nevada, Pennsylvania, Oregon and Montana all have legalized sports gambling.

The legalized-betting stance is new for Hynes, who is facing six Democratic challengers in his bid for reelection.

Opponents argue it would put more people in debt. And sports officials have repeatedly argued against state-sponsored gambling, claiming it tarnishes the reputation of the sport involved.

Even if the state Legislature signed off on legalized betting, it wouldn't get rid of underground gambling, according to a spokesman for Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly.
"It's never going to go away," Capt. Louis Lombardi said. "Bookies are always going to pay better odds than the state. Always."

nydailynews.com

Fishhead · Feb 7, 2005

It's never going to go away," Capt. Louis Lombardi said. "Bookies are always going to pay better odds than the state. Always!

Instant classic quote!

LOL!

LEYKIS101 · Feb 7, 2005

These shakedowns seem to happen every year around the playoffs and SuperBowl. You would think the bookies would wise up to this and move around a little during this time.

unochamps · Feb 7, 2005

Pa. Dosen't Have Legal Sportsbook Betting. Unless He's Been To The "pool Hall" And Thinks Its Legal There.

You Always See These Raids Around Superbowl And The Final Four Led By The Pols That Want To Run For Office Or Are Up For Re Election...ufb

Jarbo · Feb 7, 2005

Is this why " The Coach" was in such a foul mood yesterday?

cadillacman · Feb 7, 2005

LEYKIS101 said:
These shakedowns seem to happen every year around the playoffs and SuperBowl. You would think the bookies would wise up to this and move around a little during this time.

I was thinking the exact same thing before I saw your post.

sean8499 · Feb 8, 2005

Probably an arrangement between organized crime and local cops. Someone has to take it on the chin and make the law look good. Plead guilty, no jail time, and $10k for your trouble.

Horseshoe · Feb 8, 2005

Good to see they didn't raid anyone in the Bronx or Fort Lee.

I wonder if any of those raids netted white patent loafer wearing/viagra using family men, or just some of their office flunkies?

True Leykis, NFL Playoffs/SuperSunday & March Madness have always been popular shakedown/takedown dates, especially in NYC.

EveryGamblersDream · Feb 8, 2005

3 people I knew were pissed when it went down as it cost them a shitload. If I booked, I would lay low around this time in my usual setup & move business around.