New York Cracks Down On Illegal Gambling Operation + Other Sports Betting Updates

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Written By Giovanni Shorter | Last Updated

These are the recent sports betting news stories across the industry. Arizona is opening the door for two new sportsbooks to launch. Meanwhile, New York officials shut down a $22.7 million illegal betting operation. And finally, the Coalition for Fantasy Sports has announced J.T. Foley as its first Executive Director. Let’s take a look at these recent sports betting developments.

Major Illegal Sports Betting Operation Shut Down In New York

As if it were an episode out of The Sopranos, a New York crime ring involving the mob, a retired cop, and a Staten Island pizza man was taken down. The investigation revealed Edward Laforte, a member of the Gambino crime family, was running an illegal sports betting website.

Through the online gambling site ubet1288, players wagered $22.7 million over two years. The crime family is alleged to have used gambling and loansharking debts to pay winners while profiting from the losing bets. Law enforcement discovered bet sheets detailing the operation from several co-defendants.

New York is by far the biggest sports betting market in the industry. For the week ending on June 2, New York sportsbooks saw $344,474,051 in wagers. Even with so many legal betting options, illegal operations like ubet1288 still rake in millions in wagers.

New Sportsbooks Coming TO Arizona

The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) will soon begin accepting new applications to join its booming market. Regulations state that Arizona can host a maximum of 20 operator licenses, and there are currently 16 active operators. The next two licenses will be allocated to a local sports franchise and a local tribe.

Current Sportsbook License Holders In Arizona

  • Ak-Chin Indian Community: Bet365
  • Arizona Cardinals: BetMGM
  • Arizona Coyotes: SaharaBets
  • Arizona Diamondbacks: Caesars Sportsbook
  • Arizona Rattlers: BetRivers
  • Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation: Betfred
  • Fort Mojave Indian Tribe: SuperBook
  • Hualapai Tribe: Golden Nugget
  • Navajo Nation: Hard Rock Digital
  • Phoenix Mercury: BallyBet
  • Phoenix Speedway: ESPN BET
  • Phoenix Suns: FanDuel
  • San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe: BetWay
  • Tohono O’odham Nation: Desert Diamond Mobile LLC
  • Tonto Apache Tribe: Fanatics Sportsbook
  • TPC Scottsdale: DraftKings

The application process will run from July 8 through July 19. The ADG will review those who qualify. No date has been set for when the ADG will announce the applicants who have been awarded.

Arizona is a fruitful market and an attractive launching pad for suspecting operators. Recent reports reveal that $759,807,633.26 was wagered on sports, $752,391,014.56 of which came from mobile sportsbooks alone.

Coalition For Fantasy Sports Announces New Executive

The Coalition for Fantasy Sports (CFS) officially named J.T. Foley its first Executive Director. Foley has a background in the gambling industry, spanning 17 years with Las Vegas Sands Corporation and once holding the Vice President of Government Relations position. He will work closely with the CFS to promote innovation and responsible play policies.

“I’m thrilled to join the Coalition for Fantasy Sports,” said J.T. Foley. “We will work with member companies to create the laws we need to grow this industry. Our member companies are leading on consumer protections and eager to share what we know with emerging DFS providers so that we can establish and preserve a safe and legal ecosystem.”

The coalition represents some of the biggest names in daily fantasy sports, including PrizePicks and Underdog Fantasy. With Foley’s long history within the industry, he is expected to bring the coalition to new heights.

Photo by Shutterstock

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