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Unlawful Gambling Establishment and Wagering Syndicate Discovered

In the vast landscape of U.S. casinos, a subset of individuals persist in engaging in criminal activities. This boils down to the unfortunate reality that some resort to illicit practices.

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Despite the abundance of legal casinos across the U.S., some individuals opt for illegal gambling...
Despite the abundance of legal casinos across the U.S., some individuals opt for illegal gambling operations instead. In simpler terms, certain individuals engage in organized crime for illicit gambling purposes.

Unlawful Gambling Establishment and Wagering Syndicate Discovered

Street-Savvy Breakdown

Here's the lowdown on the Genovese and Bonanno crime families' recent foray into illegal casino and sports betting, featuring a handful of high-profile arrests and a brief dive into their dirty past:

The Gang That Wouldn't Die

While household names like the Bonannos and Genovese might seem remnants of a bygone Mafia era, their involvement in nefarious activities is as contemporary as today's morning coffee. These families are two of NYC's Five Families, notorious for racketeering activities like illegal gambling and loansharking.

A prime example is Joseph Massino, former boss of the Bonannon family, convicted in 2004 on 11 RICO counts, including his hand in illegal gambling. The trial shed light on the Families' deep-rooted connection to criminal operations[3].

Fast-Forward to 2023

In April 2023, Salvatore "Sal the Shoemaker" Rubino pleaded guilty to operating an illegal gambling operation out of his shoe repair shop in Brooklyn. This enterprise was part of a broader scheme orchestrated by the Genovese and Bonanno families[1].

Corruption and Collusion

Another tale worth telling is that of Detective Hector Rosario of Nassau County Police. He found himself in hot water for taking bribes to let the operation run smoothly. This complex web of crime, corruption, and collusion puts a refreshing spin on the old clichΓ© that crime doesn't pay[1].

The Scheme Goes South

The gambling scheme dates back to 2012 when the two families joined forces to make their illicit ambitions a reality. Their established businesses, like the popular gelato shop, provided the perfect cover for their illegal operations. The scheme flourished until it came crashing down in a series of police raids[2].

Some of the rockstars of this underworld include Little Anthony, Joe Fish, Sal the Shoemaker, Joe Box, and others. While some were mere soldiers, others held ranks as caporegimes[2]. TheGenovese caporegimes were released on bonds of $1.1 and $2 million, awaiting trial[2]. Rosario, on the other hand, secured a $500,000 bond[2].

Money Laundering & Online Involvement

In addition to offline gambling festivities at their soccer clubs and shoeshops, one member of the Genovese family, Polito, reportedly, ran an online sports betting operation via an illegal website[2]. He made a fortune by extorting money from unsuspecting gamblers.

Caught in the Act

All members of the crime ring will face trial in September[2]. This story is a stark reminder that while there are numerous legal casino venues and online gaming platforms in the US, engaging in illegal gambling can land you in hot water[4]. So, whether you're into sports betting or casino games, always stick to legal sources to keep yourself out of trouble.

P.S. In case you're wondering, the mafia is alive and well in the US, so tread carefully in the world of underground gambling[1]. And remember, crime doesn't pay!

  1. Despite being associated with a bygone era, the Genovese and Bonanno families continue to engage in contemporary activities such as online sports betting and casino games, as evident in the recent case of Salvatore "Sal the Shoemaker" Rubino.
  2. The illegally operated gambling scheme involving the Genovese and Bonanno families also had an online component, with one member reportedly running an online sports betting operation through an illegal website.
  3. Online news sources often cover general news, crime and justice, and sports, providing insights into ongoing illegal activities like the recent foray of the Genovese and Bonanno families into casino-and-gambling, sports betting, and money laundering.
  4. Engaging in illegal gambling can lead to arrests and severe consequences, as demonstrated by the upcoming trial of all members involved in the Genovese and Bonanno families' gambling scheme, including high-profile figures like Sal the Shoemaker and Detective Hector Rosario.

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