Damien LeForbes allegedly played a big role in a Las Vegas illegal betting scheme
Damien LeForbes, a professional poker player known for his appearances on shows like “Poker After Dark” and “High Stakes Poker,” has pleaded guilty to federal charges related to money laundering and running an illegal sports betting operation. LeForbes, 43, operated a large-scale illicit sportsbook that took millions in bets across California and Nevada over nearly three years. Part of the operation relied on a Las Vegas casino, referred to in court documents as “Casino A.”
LeForbes’ illegal activities involved processing vast sums of money, with court records indicating that he gambled over $148 million at the casino. He also used multiple cryptocurrency wallets to handle transactions with his clients, receiving payments from bettors and distributing winnings. His actions ultimately led to the federal charges he now faces.
LeForbes’ case is linked to other high-profile individuals in the illegal betting world, including Matt Bowyer, another bookie who pleaded guilty in August to similar charges, including money laundering and running an illegal gambling business. Bowyer’s involvement extended to a case connected to Ippei Mizuhara, the former translator for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani. Mizuhara was charged with stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani’s bank account to cover his own gambling debts, a crime to which he pleaded guilty earlier this year.
LeForbes is set to be sentenced in January and could face up to 15 years in prison, along with a hefty fine of up to $500,000 or twice the gross profits from his illegal activities. His guilty plea marks another significant development in the ongoing federal crackdown on illegal sports betting and related financial crimes.
Emma Rodriguez is the Proofreader at the Big Blind, with seven years of experience and five years in online gambling. She plays a crucial role in maintaining content quality by ensuring error-free, reader-friendly information about the gambling industry.
