Daily Archives: December 24, 2019

4 Staten Islanders charged in $11M illegal gambling operation – SILive.com

Posted: December 24, 2019 at 10:44 am

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Six men from Staten Island and New Jersey including a reputed Bonanno crime family captain have been charged with allegedly running an illegal Internet-based gambling operation that netted more than $11 million in wagers, the Brooklyn district attorney announced on Wednesday.

The alleged scheme, which ran between Sept. 2018 and March 2019, involved members of the conspiracy accepting sports wagers for professional and collegiate games from customers through various means from Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island, New Jersey and elsewhere, according to a release from the office of Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez.

Illegal gambling is not a victimless crime, but an unlawful conduct that is often connected to loansharking, money laundering and to organized crime, Gonzalez said. "These defendants are charged with allegedly running lucrative gambling operations that took in millions of dollars in bets. We have now shut down their enterprises and will seek to hold them accountable.

The defendants include four Staten Islanders: Anthony Sclafani, 73, a resident of the 400 block of Englewood Avenue in Charleston; Joseph (Joe Brooklyn) Melfi, 58, of the 100 block of Wellington Court in New Springville; Petrit (Pete) Lusha, 60, of the 300 block of Buel Avenue in Dongan Hills; and Bryan (Faith) Kelly, 45, of the 100 block of Hurlbert Street in South Beach.

Sclafani was listed as a captain of the Bonanno crime family in a 2009 United States Department of Justice release. He was charged amid a set of sweeping indictments against the family in 2009.

In that case, which included an array of offenses including racketeering, conspiracy to commit assault, threatening violence, gambling and extortion, Sclafani told a loanshark victim "youre lucky we dont saw you in half and leave you in the woods, according to documents filed by prosecutors at the time.

Court records indicate that Sclafani pleaded guilty to racketeering and was sentenced to six years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for that case.

The 64-count indictments which also charged Ross Branca, 40, of Freehold, N.J., and Stephen Barone, 56, of Jackson, N.J. include charges of fifth-degree conspiracy, first-degree promoting gambling and first-degree possession of gambling records. Branca was additionally charged with two counts of second-degree money laundering.

Kelly, a South Beach native, faces 31 charges across both indictments. Lusha, from Dongan Hills, faces 22 charges in one indictment. Melfi faces 27 charges in one of the indictments.

According to Gonzalezs release, Branca allegedly acted as a master agent, controlling subsidiary agents" in this instance, Barone, Kelly and Lusha who each had their own set of clients.

Sclafani, who is charged with a single count of fifth-degree conspiracy, allegedly provided advice and assistance on logistical matters to Branca.

Members of the conspiracy allegedly accepted wagers manually and through the sports gambling website http://www.Gameday365.ag, which is operated out of Costa Rica, the investigation revealed.

The operation allegedly accepted $9,091,613 in wagers, according to the investigation, and Branca also allegedly laundered $100,000 of gambling proceeds from one of his bettors, the release said.

In Feb. 2019, Kelly also allegedly utilized http://www.playbig365.com to secure $1,928,499 in wagers.

The investigation revealed that Melfi was the master agent of that site, according to the release.

Information regarding the mens lawyers was not immediately available.

The defendants were released without bail and ordered to return to court on March 9, 2020.

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4 Staten Islanders charged in $11M illegal gambling operation - SILive.com

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Acts of gambling in online games – Business MattersBusiness Matters

Posted: at 10:44 am

These sites enable you to enjoy playing your favourite online games with the chance of earning some decent cash along the way.

It would be best if you had a good strategy to win, however.

You need to understand the art of gambling when playing internet casino games. If not, losing will become a permanent part of your online gaming experience.

Before trying to bet online, it is essential to know what works and what doesnt. The approach will minimise any losses and heighten your experience of the chosen game. Here are some critical tips to remember thatll make you a winner on almost every online game you play.

Not every game will favour your bet. Youll win some, and you will lose some. It is advisable to consider what games work for you, are easy to understand, and have the best odds for a payout.

A game or sport that you love and appreciate provides a far better chance of winning than one in which you have no interest. For instance, if youre placing a bet on a soccer team, you can research its previous performance, current players, and coaching strengths against the countering team before placing your bet.

For casinos, you need to take time to understand how to play each of the games on the site. Knowledge is power, and that aspect applies to online gaming, too.

Gaining the right information moves you to the next stepdeveloping a strategy. Your gambling success will rely on the tactics you use. You may have adequate information about a game or team but end up losing if your strategies are deficient.

A structured approach can set steps and actions to take as the game progresses. It would be best if you determined your betting odds first, with clarity on which odds to consider and disregard. Set the amount at which you will withdraw your winnings, too.

Do not play blindly. Always aim for the best gambling strategy that will increase your chances of winning.

In any successful venture, data is the secret ingredient. When placing your bets and picking odds, it is advisable to keep a record of your wins and losses. It helps you to track your journey in online gambling, providing you with data to assess the tactics that worked against what didnt.

For instance, if you played Tiger Dragon on Gclub and won, but you placed a soccer bet on Sbobet and lost, a record will be helpful. Youll have information on all your gaming trends, and a better idea of the best betting style thatll bear fruit for you.

Successful gambling through online games sites, such as Gclub, first calls for the right information. Before placing your bets, take time to understand the game or the wager. Keep track of your betting journey by recording all the tactics you used, too.

Always bet what you can afford to lose, never more. Set your withdrawal and deposit limits and know when to stop playing.

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Acts of gambling in online games - Business MattersBusiness Matters

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Cambodia PM Ratifies Online Gambling Ban as of January 1 – Tunf.com News

Posted: at 10:44 am

The Cambodian government confirmed the ban on online gambling that will enter into force on January 1, 2020, after the Prime Minister of the country Hun Sen, ended the hopes of the operators that the measure could be postponed.

Sen said on Saturday that in the days ahead, online gambling will disappear completely. These comments from the prime minister ruined hopes that the government could reconsider the directive published in August, according to which all current online gaming licenses would be canceled at the end of the year and no new licenses will be issued in 2020.

Phnom Penh Post reviewed Prime Minister Hun Sens speech during the 8th Sea Festival in Kampot Province, in which he pointed out that if Cambodias economy continues to depend on online gaming, Cambodian national security will be seen engaged. Sen added that the country risks becoming a paradise for money laundering by organized crime groups that will come to Cambodia to carry out their activities.

Cambodia has issued dozens of casino licenses in recent years. This gave the right to licensed operators to launch online gambling sites. After the Philippines, Cambodia is the largest online gaming center in the Asia-Pacific region, whose sites are aimed at customers in mainland China.

The Cambodian finance minister in October warned that banning the local online gambling industry will affect government revenue. But on Saturday, the prime minister said that the impact on the local economy would be for a short time. He added that when the country gets rid of the crimes related to gambling, Cambodia will create stimuli for foreign investment in high-value projects other than gambling.The Hun Sen directive launched in August was seen more as a response to China for its efforts to prevent neighbors gambling sites from allowing players from mainland China to participate. In return for this ban, China agreed to grant Cambodia special discussions on subsidies to support the development of non-gaming related projects in the Sihanoukville region, where a large percentage of Chinese-oriented gaming websites are located.

It has not yet been revealed how the Cambodian authorities will handle the application of the new ban, although it is believed that China will help the country in this regard. Chinas state media has urged neighboring countries to join efforts to eliminate unauthorized online gambling with the subsequent long-term benefits of local economies.

Source:https://calvinayre.com/2019/12/22/business/cambodia-pm-confirms-online-gambling-ban/

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Northern Ireland seeking views on gambling regulation – Gaming Intelligence

Posted: at 10:44 am

Northern Ireland has launched a public consultation on gambling regulations as it considers future legislation.

The consultation seeksto assess the appropriateness of current legislation and to identifygambling products which should be included in any future legislation.

I know that the gambling industry is an important employer in Northern Ireland and that gambling is an activity which is enjoyed responsibly by a large number of people, said Department for Communities permanent secretary Tracy Meharg.

However it is very important to recognise that for some people, gambling has the potential to cause considerable harm. Any future changes to the law must balance the interests of the gambling industry with the need for regulation to protect vulnerable people.

The Department for Communities notes that the current legislation is outdated, having failed to keep pace with industry and technological developments.

Gambling in Northern Irelandis governed under The Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order 1985, which regulates betting in bookmaking offices and racetracks, gaming machines, bingo clubs, small scale amusements with prizes, and local lotteries.

The Order predates the development of the internet and thereforefails to eitherregulate or prohibit remote gambling activities.

The consultation will consider two particular issues, the regulation of remote gambling and consumer protection, andseeks input on any additional, Northern Ireland-specific licensing and regulatory measures that should apply to remote gambling operators.

It also asks for views on whether the current level of consumer protection available to Northern Ireland consumers is sufficient.

There is no doubt that the current legislation is outdated and has not kept pace with industry and technological changes, continued Meharg. This consultation will allow everyone with an interest in gambling to share their views on the current legislation and will put the department in a position to offer the best advice to an incoming Minister on the future regulatory framework.

I would encourage all those with an interest in Northern Ireland gambling law to take the opportunity to contribute to this consultation.

The consultation is being undertaken by the Social Policy Unit in the Department for Communities and runs until 21 February 2020.

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Gambling addiction drove loving father to take his own life after spending 111,000 – Mirror Online

Posted: at 10:44 am

A loving dad and husband killed himself after he could not cope with his enormous gambling debts, an inquest has heard.

Jowan Evans, 32, took how own life in March this year after facing "significant financial problems" and racking up debts from online gambling websites.

An inquest into his death revealed over the past 11 years the father-of-three had spent more than 111,000 in online bookmakers and betting shops including more than 53,000 in the six months before his death, with losses amounting to 19,000, reports Cornwall Live .

Mr Evans wrote about his gambling addiction in a note discovered by police investigators after his death.

He said he had kept his addiction hidden from everyone - including his wife Lucie.

It read: "This monster living inside me has ruined my life."

Lucie described her husband as "perfect" and shared a powerful message urging anybody suffering at the hands of similar demons to seek help.

The inquest heard Mr Evans was last seen on March 17 after he dropped off his older son from a previous relationship with his mum.

He is understood to have then hanged himself in a wooded area some 800 metres from his car which he left on the car park.

His concerned wife Lucie raised the alarm after he did not re-appear that night.

A search operation was then launched which involved a helicopter, heat-seeking camera, sniffer dogs and members of the Cornwall Search and Rescue Team.

Mr Evans' body was discovered the following day.

Further investigation of his bank accounts revealed the extent of Mr Evans' gambling addiction with bets on the two sites ranging from a few pounds to 1,500 or 2,000.

In the months prior to his death, Mr Evans had borrowed 20,000 from his father to help him expunge other debts, particularly on his car as it was about to be repossessed, but that money was used to gamble on various sporting events.

Detective Sergeant Stephen White, who led the investigation, told the inquest at County Hall in Truro that Mr Evans' first partner had left him because he had gambled away 30,000 which had been put aside as a deposit for a house.

Assistant coroner Guy Davies said these gambling sites operated on a pay-as-you-bet basis with money coming directly out of people's bank accounts without any deposits required onto the sites themselves, making it quite easy to gamble.

Recording a suicide conclusion, Mr Davies said: "This is a case in which Jowan Evans struggled with his hidden gambling addiction which led him to take his own life.

"There had been nothing to warn his family about what went on in his mind. There was no cry for help. Police investigation revealed a note left in his van. It was clearly a suicide note. In it he mentioned how he gambled his money away again and again.

"Jowan had significant financial problems and a longstanding gambling addiction and unpaid finance as well as un-repaid loans from family members.

"For him it was an accumulating wall of debt. He took his own life as a direct result of his gambling debt and his perception to beat his gambling addiction."

If you need confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see http://www.samaritans.org for details.

For help with gambling issues visit the NHS website here or see information about the NHS's National Problem Gambling Clinic here or the Gamblers Anonymous charity can be found here .

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