EXCLUSIVE: Feds crack down on online betting By Rick Daysog
Federal authorities are cracking down on illegal online sports betting in Hawaii.
Hawaii News Now has learned that about two dozen isle residents are being charged or being arrested in the probe, which centers on bets made with offshore Internet sites.
An attorney who represents several of those targeted said her clients had always believed that online betting was legal.
"This is something that people in Hawaii have been doing in Hawaii for a very long time .. forever. It includes business people, doctors, law enforcement, sales people, all kinds of people," said lawyer Megan Kau.
"Nobody would have guessed that it would come to something like this."
One of the first to be charged is Honolulu resident Terrence Ching. Ching pleaded guilty today to one count of making illegal bets and one count of filing a false tax return.
Prosecutors say Ching handled millions of dollars in online bets by acting as a go-between -- or bookie -- of Internet gaming sites based in Costa Rica.
His case provides a rare glimpse into the amount of money the business involves.
According to a criminal complaint, federal authorities seized nearly $30,000 in cash from Ching's bank account and another $330,000 that he stashed in his home.
They also seized an assortment of semi-automatic handguns and rifles, designer gold and diamond jewelry and at least five Rolex watches and confiscated $245,000 in monetary judgements -- or markers -- representing his gambling wins.
"People in Hawaii like to bet," said retired FBI agent Hilton Lui.
Lui said Internet gambling is especially addictive because it is so easy to do.
"If you were to go on Google, they would list the top sites. Some of those are Bovada, Topbet, Wagerbet," he said.
Ching faces up to two years in jail for the gambling charge, and three years for the tax charge. His sentencing is scheduled in June.
EXCLUSIVE: Feds crack down on online betting By Rick Daysog
Federal authorities are cracking down on illegal online sports betting in Hawaii.
Hawaii News Now has learned that about two dozen isle residents are being charged or being arrested in the probe, which centers on bets made with offshore Internet sites.
An attorney who represents several of those targeted said her clients had always believed that online betting was legal.
"This is something that people in Hawaii have been doing in Hawaii for a very long time .. forever. It includes business people, doctors, law enforcement, sales people, all kinds of people," said lawyer Megan Kau.
"Nobody would have guessed that it would come to something like this."
One of the first to be charged is Honolulu resident Terrence Ching. Ching pleaded guilty today to one count of making illegal bets and one count of filing a false tax return.
Prosecutors say Ching handled millions of dollars in online bets by acting as a go-between -- or bookie -- of Internet gaming sites based in Costa Rica.
His case provides a rare glimpse into the amount of money the business involves.
According to a criminal complaint, federal authorities seized nearly $30,000 in cash from Ching's bank account and another $330,000 that he stashed in his home.
They also seized an assortment of semi-automatic handguns and rifles, designer gold and diamond jewelry and at least five Rolex watches and confiscated $245,000 in monetary judgements -- or markers -- representing his gambling wins.
"People in Hawaii like to bet," said retired FBI agent Hilton Lui.
Lui said Internet gambling is especially addictive because it is so easy to do.
"If you were to go on Google, they would list the top sites. Some of those are Bovada, Topbet, Wagerbet," he said.
Ching faces up to two years in jail for the gambling charge, and three years for the tax charge. His sentencing is scheduled in June.
he wasn't just making bets, he was a go between, obviously taking money and bets and so on and so forth. He obviously wasn't just a recreational gambler, it was a business type thing so just relax, no need to get in a big stir over nothing
he wasn't just making bets, he was a go between, obviously taking money and bets and so on and so forth. He obviously wasn't just a recreational gambler, it was a business type thing so just relax, no need to get in a big stir over nothing
Yeah, it sounds like he was acting as a bookie. And then tried to say he didn't think he was breaking the law because he was placing the bets with an online site.
But taking action (collecting money for bets) is illegal in almost every state in the US.
Yeah, it sounds like he was acting as a bookie. And then tried to say he didn't think he was breaking the law because he was placing the bets with an online site.
But taking action (collecting money for bets) is illegal in almost every state in the US.
His gambling charge was dropped as all the assets were seized whether it was in cash, jewelry, bank accounts whether savings or checking due to an illegal activity by Feds. But the tax evasion charges were not and that is the time he faces. Most gambling operations here were very small time in the old days. Mostly straight bets, parlays,then came the over/unders, half-time, etc. But the on-line wagering was way more options with props, futures, money line, 1st quarter, in game betting, live betting, half-time betting. Many more options with teasers, pleasers, parlays. Hopefully they legalize something here to help our revenue as we can not depend on tourism forever. We are booming now as the world economy seems to have improved as we get more visits from S. Korea, mainland China, Japan, Canada, Euro markets, East and West US traffic. We need something else or another 911 or tsunami in 2011 will hurt us again.
His gambling charge was dropped as all the assets were seized whether it was in cash, jewelry, bank accounts whether savings or checking due to an illegal activity by Feds. But the tax evasion charges were not and that is the time he faces. Most gambling operations here were very small time in the old days. Mostly straight bets, parlays,then came the over/unders, half-time, etc. But the on-line wagering was way more options with props, futures, money line, 1st quarter, in game betting, live betting, half-time betting. Many more options with teasers, pleasers, parlays. Hopefully they legalize something here to help our revenue as we can not depend on tourism forever. We are booming now as the world economy seems to have improved as we get more visits from S. Korea, mainland China, Japan, Canada, Euro markets, East and West US traffic. We need something else or another 911 or tsunami in 2011 will hurt us again.
Every state needs the revenue, It's insane that the USA loses all this revenue to offshore books(unregulated) when it could be helping our economy. And providing a service that many of us want. Lets hope New Jersey starts the ball rolling and we can start betting outside of Las Vegas. We'll find out in two weeks which way the wind is blowing!!!
Every state needs the revenue, It's insane that the USA loses all this revenue to offshore books(unregulated) when it could be helping our economy. And providing a service that many of us want. Lets hope New Jersey starts the ball rolling and we can start betting outside of Las Vegas. We'll find out in two weeks which way the wind is blowing!!!
Every state needs the revenue, It's insane that the USA loses all this revenue to offshore books(unregulated) when it could be helping our economy. And providing a service that many of us want. Lets hope New Jersey starts the ball rolling and we can start betting outside of Las Vegas. We'll find out in two weeks which way the wind is blowing!!!
You are making the foolish assumption that politicians have a shred of common sense or decency.
Quote Originally Posted by conrad63:
Every state needs the revenue, It's insane that the USA loses all this revenue to offshore books(unregulated) when it could be helping our economy. And providing a service that many of us want. Lets hope New Jersey starts the ball rolling and we can start betting outside of Las Vegas. We'll find out in two weeks which way the wind is blowing!!!
You are making the foolish assumption that politicians have a shred of common sense or decency.
Better call Saul!
Hot Forum Topics
