PLANO, Texas (AP) — Investigators say 18 men have pleaded guilty in a North Texas-based Internet gambling ring that accepted more than $5.4 billion in illegal bets.
Federal prosecutors, the Internal Revenue Service and Plano police on Thursday announced results of the undercover investigation since 2006. The Plano Police Department received a check for nearly $4.8 million from forfeited assets.
A Plano officer developed a betting relationship with a sports bookmaker. Prosecutors say wagers through websites hosted outside the U.S. generated about $200 million for the ring members.
Warrants were served in 2011. All 18 defendants pleaded guilty to charges such as money laundering, illegal gambling, structuring and tax violations.
One man was sentenced to a year and a day in prison. Eleven others received probation. The other six men await sentencing.