Gambling busts net top sports betting director

Lighting up the US media Wednesday afternoon state-side were reports of enforcement actions originating in New York had resulted in the arrest of Cantor Gaming sports book director Mike Colbert (32) on a warrant by the Queens, New York, District Attorney’s office, alleging 8 counts of conspiracy, money laundering, and enterprise corruption.

Colbert was taken to the Clark County Detention Centre amid reports that he was one of eight persons picked up by enforcement agents in Las Vegas.

It is understood that Cantor and Colbert’s other professional responsibility, MResort, are not involved in the case.

Some media reports suggested that the charges involve the offshore online sportsbetting site Pinnacle Sports.com, and that as many as 40 alleged agents may have been detained across the United States, but detail is still sparse.

Late Wednesday, the Associated Press news agency detailed seven of the men arrested in Las Vegas as: Joseph Paulk, Jerald Branca, Steven Diano, Brant England, Kelly Barsell, Ian Mandell and Paul Sexton.

Officials said an official press conference would be held Thursday.