Despite fantasy sites, illegal sports betting still alive in RI
By Tim White
November 23, 2015
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – It’s the height of sports betting season, and that usually means a well-coordinated raid or two by law enforcement on illegal gambling operations in Rhode Island.
On Sunday, Rhode Island State Police detectives served a search warrant – once again – on the Decatur Social Club on Federal Hill in Providence. They charged the Tiberi brothers with running an illegal bookmaking operation. Joseph Tiberi, 83, of Coventry, and Richard Tiberi, 72, of Johnston, have been here before and will face a judge next month to answer to the charges.
In 2010, the Tiberi’s were charged and convicted of bookmaking for running a betting operation out of the Decatur. Both men have a criminal record dating back several decades.
Law enforcement officials say while fantasy sports sites have had an impact on the underworld betting operations, bookies still have plenty of clientele looking to place a bet.
State Police Lt. Christopher Zarella runs the Intelligence Unit and says illegal sports betting operations offer something the online services don’t.
“You can’t get online and gamble without a credit card,” said Zarella. “Most of the betting customers that frequent the organized criminal gambling establishments aren’t the type of people that are going to have very good credit.”
He said while the Tiberis are elderly, there are younger generations who are getting involved in bookmaking.
“There are certainly a plethora of people out there willing to open up a book and earn cash,” Zarella said.
Traditionally illegal bookmaking operations were a massive revenue source for the New England crime family. Thanks to a series of busts in recent years, the mob’s ranks have been decimated.
Zarella said they still see evidence that bookmakers are sending money to a larger operation, but acknowledges more independent shops are sprouting up.
“The lone-wolf [bookie] is probably more prevalent now than it was years ago,” Zarella said. “We probably see more independent operations opening than you would have seen years ago where a bookmaking operation had to be sanctioned by La Cosa Nostra.”
He said the state police still investigate and crack down on illegal sports betting outfits because they can feed into other crimes. Gamblers who get into serious debt with a bookie can turn to other crimes to try and pay off what they owe.
“I’ve investigated that type of crime now for too long and have seen the kind of victimization that takes place,” he said. “ This is a cash business and if they run out of cash and you’re still gambling and you have to pay and it comes with a certain type of consequence.”
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