Betting News 
Damien LeForbes, known in professional poker circles, has entered a guilty plea for operating an illegal sportsbook and engaging in money laundering activities across California and Nevada. The plea agreement, finalized on Monday, could see LeForbes facing up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a hefty fine of $500,000 or twice the profit or loss from his illicit operations, whichever is higher.
From January 2021 through December 2023, LeForbes orchestrated a vast illegal betting ring, pulling in millions in wagers from bettors in Los Angeles County, Orange County, and Clark County, Nevada. His operation utilized a network of agents—including casino hosts from a Las Vegas casino dubbed ‘Casino A’ in court filings—to recruit new bettors. These agents were compensated with a cut of the gambling losses they brought in.
Casino A, identified in some reports as possibly being Resorts World Las Vegas, emerged as a focal point in LeForbes’ operations. He is reported to have circulated over $9.1 million through personal checks at the casino, alongside $2.8 million in cash transactions, converting these into versatile casino chips.
The use of cryptocurrencies also played a significant role in LeForbes’ scheme, allowing him to transfer large sums without alerting authorities. He adeptly navigated crypto transfers, advising peers on how to avoid detection by breaking up transactions and using direct wallet transfers instead of exchanges.
This case sheds light on broader issues within Nevada’s gaming industry, with Resorts World Las Vegas currently under scrutiny by gaming regulators for potentially facilitating money laundering activities by illegal bookmakers. The Nevada Gaming Control Board has highlighted concerns, indicating that other individuals tied to illegal betting activities had connections with the casino.
The unfolding of this case provides a stark reminder of the complex challenges the gaming industry faces in combating illegal betting and maintaining integrity within operations. As LeForbes awaits sentencing, the repercussions of his actions continue to ripple through the gaming and legal communities, spotlighting the critical need for stringent regulatory oversight and ethical conduct within the gambling sector.
