Staten Island Man Admits To Running Internet Sports Gambling Ring

A Staten Island man pleaded guilty on Wednesday in a US District Court to one count of conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business. The charge stems from a bust on an illegal Internet gambling operation.

Sports betting has become one of the most popular forms of gambling in the world, and the Internet has made the activity readily available for many people throughout the world. In the US, online sports gambling is illegal.

Joseph W. LaForte, 39, entered his plea on Wednesday and will now face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. he will be sentenced on April 6th, and is already serving time in prison on a charge not related to the illegal gambling ring operation.

The gambling ring took place in several states, New jersey being one of them. LaForte encouraged people to place bets through his operation by using an Internet gambling site that was not located in the US.

Most of the sports betting sites are located in areas where the jurisdiction allows for their operation, Costa Rica and panama have been two countries associated with Internet sports betting.

The NFL has become the premiere sports betting league outside of soccer leagues in the world. It is estimated that nearly $100 million is bet annually on the NFL's biggest game, the Super Bowl.

South Carolina AG Appeals Ruling That Poker Is A Game Of Skill
Beshear Criticized For Dedication To Expanded Gambling In Kentucky
Live Greyhound Gambling Officially Ends In Massachusetts
NHL Teams Brings Sports And Gambling Together Through Lottery
Governor Patrick May Be Changing Stance On Gambling Expansion