The gambling world can sometimes produce really off-the-wall stories. Every month there are plenty of cases of individuals going to extreme lengths to pay back debts, or of simply bizarre behavior at casino properties around the globe. It can be entertaining and sometimes sad.
September was no exception, as there was plenty that happened in the casino world.
Here’s a look at some of the most colorful and/or noteworthy from the month that was.
Office Manager Stole $300,000 To Go On Gambling Trips
An office manager stole $300,000 from her employer, a Hicksville-based roofing company, using the money for gambling trips to Las Vegas and Atlantic City and other personal expenses, Nassau County prosecutors said. Tracey Sportiello, 51, of Farmingdale, was arrested and charged with second- and third-degree grand larceny and nine counts of first-degree falsifying business records.
Man Says Gambling Fueled Pot Offense
A Wausau man who delivered more than 130 pounds of marijuana to fund his gambling addiction was sentenced in federal court to the 11 days he served in jail last year after being arrested. Kongsaden Khammanivong, 43, was arrested in July 2015, after Marathon County Sheriff’s Department investigators, who were watching Khammanivong’s brother’s house, saw Kongsaden Khammanivong drive away from the house. He drove to a parking lot where he met an awaiting unidentified individual and to deliver 28 pounds of marijuana, according to a complaint.
NepentheZ, Dylan Rigby Are First YouTubers Charged With Unlawful gambling
Two YouTubers have been charged with unlawful gambling, in the first case of its kind involving videogame gambling sites. Craig Douglas (NepentheZ), a prominent FIFA YouTuber, and Dylan Rigby, owner of the now deactivated FUTgalaxy channel, are both being charged in the same case. Rigby and Douglas, who are both from Essex, are charged with promoting a lottery and advertising unlawful gambling, while Douglas has the added charge of inviting children to gamble. The case comes off the back of a recent investigation into videogame gambling by The Gambling Commission.
Professional Baseball Player Accused Of Investing In Illegal Online Gambling Site
A pitcher in the Korea Baseball Organization is in hot water for allegedly investing nearly $150,000 into an illegal online gambling site. Prosecutors say that setup man An Ji-man gave the money to help his friend open the platform. An denies the allegations and says that he lent the money because he thought his friend was opening up a restaurant. He was suspended from baseball this summer after the allegations surfaced. Earlier this year, he was under investigation for gambling on illegal sites.
SEO Hacking Scheme For Gambling Site Targets Top Universities
Websites for some of the top universities in America were the apparent targets of a hacking scheme to boost the SEO ranking for an online slots website. Researchers discovered that schools such as Stanford, New York University and Carnegie Mellon University were inadvertently linking to a site for “real money slots.” The links were embedded seemingly at random in course descriptions and press releases that had nothing to do with gaming. Because the schools have strong SEO prestige on Google, the links were enough to propel the online slots site to a high ranking.
Man Shoots Up Senior Living Facility Over Poker Game: Resident
A resident of a senior apartment complex in Wyoming killed two people, including himself, over a poker game in a common area, according to another resident. Authorities say that 77-year-old Larry Rosenberg shot three people at the Heritage Court Apartments in Cheyenne. One of the victims died, while Rosenberg fled and later killed himself while being pursued by police. One resident told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle that Rosenberg had long been upset about the poker game that ran three times a week. He and some other residents were unhappy that the games involved nonresidents, who sometimes slept there.
Single New Jersey Online Gambler Bet $78M In 2015
It’s widely known that the casino industry depends on a minority of its customers for the bulk of its revenue. New Jersey’s online gambling industry is no different, as a single player made a whopping $78.76 million in Internet bets in 2015. That’s according to a Rutgers University study of New Jersey’s roughly three-year-old online gambling industry. The study was released by Garden State gaming regulators, and it revealed some interesting data about the fledgling intra-state market.
Forrest Charged Criminally Over Debt With Las Vegas Casino
Six-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner Ted Forrest has been charged criminally for allegedly owing money to a Las Vegas casino. According to a report from the Las Vegas Review-Journal, an arrest warrant was issued for the poker pro for theft and bad check charges. Forrest is accused of drawing and passing a check without sufficient funds with the intent to defraud. Forrest allegedly lacked the money when he tried to pass a couple of checks at the Wynn Las Vegas totaling $215,000 between October 2012 and May 2013.
78-Year-Old Robbed Outside Of Iowa Casino Over Alleged Affair
Authorities say a 78-year-old Albion, Nebraska, man was assaulted and his wallet was stolen Thursday outside the Ameristar Casino in Council Bluffs. Gary McDonald told police that an unknown man struck up a conversation with him as McDonald got out of his vehicle, which was parked in the south lot of the casino. Police said McDonald told them that as he walked toward the casino’s main entrance, the man accused him of having an affair with his girlfriend. The man pushed McDonald into a grassy median near the valet drive-thru and then removed McDonald’s wallet from the pocket of his pants, police said.
