Man Arrested in UIGEA Sportsbetting Case

A man from Antigua was arrested in New York last week for his role in running offshore betting site Sports Offshore in a case that has been in motion since 2010.

Richard Sullivan was taken into custody at JFK Airport on August 20th due to his alleged role in running Sports Offshore. Sullivan and others were indicted on RICO charges back in 2010 related to violating the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act. The sportsbook operation is alleged to have illegally been in operation in the United States using a website and telephone numbers. The company employed people in the US as well as Antigua, and it facilitated payments from American punters to the site in violation of federal law.

The defendant is facing more than 75 counts of engaging in US banking transactions, racketeering, and operating an illegal gambling business. It is alleged that Sports Offshore made $22 million, including $10 million that was laundered through wire transfers and checks.

Two other defendants in the case were convicted and sentenced in 2011, with one getting four years in prison, while the other got three years. Both were ordered to pay millions in restitution.

After being arrested, Sullivan was arraigned in the Eastern District Court of New York. He is next slated to appear in a Boston federal court at an unnamed date. It is unknown whether or not he is still in custody as of press time.

Casino Listings News will update readers as developments arise.