Staten Island Bar Owner Claims Gambling Charges Are False

A Staten Island bar owner is an admitted gambler. That does not make him a bookmaker, however. The bar owner was arrested Thursday and charged with possession of gambling records and promoting gambling.

Christopher Shaffer, 34, was arrested at one of his two bars Thursday night after police claim he was running an illegal bookmaking operation. He denies that he is a bookmaker.

"Definitely going to fight it. I am a gambler but not a bookmaker," said Shaffer. He admitted to going to Atlantic City to legally place wagers.

An undercover officer placed a bet with Shaffer back on December 8th. The bet was on a boxing match. The officer also placed another bet with Shaffer when he returned to the bar to pay the bar owner the $200 he lost on the boxing match.

Shaffer owns two bars in Staten Island. Bottomley's Tavern is the location where the officer placed the bets and paid Shaffer. He also owns Beer Goggles up the street.

This is not the first time that one of Shaffer's bars has been in trouble with gambling related charges. In November, the bar was busted and three employees were charged with running two illegal video gambling machines in the bar.

March 9, 2008
Posted By Larry Rutherford
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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