Illegal sports betting ring bust in Washington State

As the U.S. gears up for the possibility of legalised sports betting, recent action by the Washington Gambling Commission (WGC) reinforces that the pastime is illegal in Washington State.

Following an investigation, WGC agents arrested four people for operating an illegal soccer betting ring late last week in the greater Wenatchee area.

Raids on five business premises in the area uncovered betting operations taking wagers on professional league soccer matches being played in Mexico.

According to WGC, the ring was accepting approximately 200 to 700 bets each week of which the ring leader typically kept 28 to 30 percent of wagers amounting around $1,200 to $2,000 per week.

Evidence of illegal sports betting was seized in the raids such as betting slips and ledgers along with two vehicles and $65,266 in cash.  Bank accounts containing around $127,677 were also frozen.

Charges laid against three men from 43 to 52 years of age comprise professional gambling in the second degree, leading organised crime and criminal profiteering. A 53-year-old female was also arrested and booked for professional gambling in the second degree.

“Sports betting may be a hot topic right now, but regulated sports pools are currently the only legal form of sports betting in Washington State,” said Director Dave Trujillo. “This ring was a criminal organization and we will continue to protect the public by dismantling similar operations.”

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