The player got caught up in the Shohei Ohtani scandal
Damien LeForbes, a professional poker player known for his appearance on the eighth season of High Stakes Poker in 2021, has pled guilty in federal court to charges of money laundering and operating an illegal sports betting ring in California and Nevada. The plea, which LeForbes signed in June, was officially filed in court on Monday, revealing the extent of his involvement in a multimillion-dollar operation that ran from January 2021 through December 2023.
LeForbes’ illegal sportsbook drew in millions of dollars in wagers, facilitated by an affiliate scheme where agents were recruited to bring in new bettors in exchange for a share of the profits. Over nearly three years, this operation funneled significant sums of money through various channels, including a shell company named DJL, cash transactions, cryptocurrencies, and services like PayPal.
One significant detail in the court documents is the involvement of a casino, referred to only as “Casino A.” This venue was central to LeForbes’ activities, as he hired two casino hosts to act as agents and conducted substantial financial transactions there. The poker player executed more than $17 million in checks at this casino and presented $2.8 million in cash, wagering over $148 million in total. His connections with the casino extended further, as LeForbes reportedly owed the establishment $12.3 million and had issued a bad check for $2.5 million.
While the identity of “Casino A” remains undisclosed, it has been noted that LeForbes had prior dealings with Resorts World Las Vegas, which could be linked to the case. Resorts World is currently under investigation by the Nevada Gaming Control Board for allegedly allowing illegal bookmakers to launder money through its operations. LeForbes’ name has surfaced in connection with this broader investigation, alongside other figures like Matt Bowyer, who has also recently pled guilty to similar charges in California.
LeForbes now faces the possibility of up to 15 years in prison, along with a fine that could amount to $500,000 or double the gross profit or loss of his illegal business. The case highlights the ongoing challenges in combating illegal sports betting and money laundering within the gambling industry.
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.
