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A group of alleged mobsters are at the heart of a rigged table game scheme that defrauded millions from poker players, according to an indictment unsealed in New York.
The key figures in the racket to rig card games are making the rounds on global news outlets like the script of a Hollywood mafia saga involving the Bonanno, Gambino, and Genovese crime syndicates.
Key locations in the card game case
The federal indictment (U.S. v. Aiello et al.) was unsealed in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, against 31 individuals for their actions from 2019 and 2023.
The indictment alleged their role is tied to La Cosa Nostra, the managing entity that approves illegal activity, with the accused individuals acting on behalf of the crime families.
Two locations were used for weekly poker games, referred to in the indictment as “Washington Place” and “Lexington Avenue” in Manhattan, New York.
The Washington Place environment was the key hub of the activity and decision-making, said the indictment, from January 2021 and October 2023.
In these games, advanced card-reading facilities, altered shuffling machines, and hidden wireless technology were used to reveal the winning hand via cell phone and filtered through a role titled “Quarterback.”
According to the indictment, the lengthy list included, “Tony Goodson, Shane Hennen, Curtis Meeks, and Robert Stroud supplied the cheating technology. The defendants Ammar Awawdeh, Saul Becher, John Gallo, Zhen Hu, Stroud, and Seth Trustman organized the rigged games. Members of the cheating teams included the defendants Nelson Alvarez, Louis Apicella, Chauncey Billups, Eric Earnest, Marco Garzon, Jamie Gilet, Tony Goodson, Kenny Han, Hennen, Horatio Hu, Damon Jones, John Mazzola, Nicholas Minucci, Michael Renzulli, Angelo Ruggiero, Jr., Stroud, Trustman, and Sophia Wei.”
Key mobsters charged in rigged poker game scandal
Amongst the 31 individuals involved in the indictment, there are several people described as key players in the delivery of this advanced technological scheme to defraud millions from unwitting poker players.
Ernest Aiello
Ernest Aiello, an alleged member of the Bonanno Crime Family, had a leading role, according to the charges, as an orchestrator and facilitator of the rigged table games.
Louis Apicella aka ‘Lou Alp’
Louis Apicella, also known as “Lou Alp,” has been accused of facilitating the cheating and rigged elements of the table games alongside Aiello. He is, according to the case information, a known member of the Gambino Crime Family.
Both men are heavily responsible, say the charges, for the sanctioning of players to enter the games, offering protection to players and other crime families, and organizing the collection of debts owed via the game outcomes.
Ammar Awawdeh aka ‘Flappy’
Ammar Awawdeh, aka “Flappy” and “Flapper Poker,” had a role in organizing what the case refers to as the Washington Place Game. He is referred to as an associate of the Gambino Family in the case notes and a key player in the Cheating Teams.
Matthew Daddino aka ‘Matty’ or ‘The Wrestler’
Matthew Daddino, known as “Matty” and “The Wrestler” to the Gambino Crime Family, led the physical delivery of the table games alongside Joseph Lanni, Michael Renzulli, and Angelo Ruggiero Jr, according to the indictment.
Becher, Zhen Hu, and Trustman, involved heavily in the Lexington A Game, were required to pay defendants Ernest Aiello, Julius Ziliani, and Thomas Gelardo of the Bonanno family.
Awawdeh and Gallo were required to pay defendants Lee Fama, Joseph Lanni, and Ruggiero of the Gambino family, and the defendant Matthew Daddino of the Genovese family for the games.
Former NBA Players
As we reported, the FBI released information involving three individuals with ties to the NBA at the same time the indictment information was released about the rigged Texas Hold’em poker games.
The key bond between both cases is the alleged involvement of Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and former NBA star Damon Jones.
As the case specifically mentions both men as “Face Cards” to attract wealthy patrons and poker players into the games. These individuals would not know that, according to the indictment, Billups and Jones were involved in the rigged elements.
The indictment read “The defendants (Billups and Jones), both of whom are former professional basketball players, were Face Cards and members of the Cheating Teams.”
Featured image: Adobe Firefly
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An appeal against the rejection of a license application, by Kornhults Idrottsklubb in Sweden, has been rejected by the Administrative Court. The Swedish Gambling Authority has issued an update.
The court agreed with the Gambling Authority’s assessment, with the regulator having initially decided to reject the application for a license on May 26, 2025. The application was to provide games for public benefit purposes.
The Swedish Gambling Authority is the expert authority focusing on gambling and lottery. It is responsible for ensuring that the gaming and gambling market in the country is safe and legal. It’s through them that permits for lotteries and licenses are issued, while it has overall responsibility for compliance and supervision of gambling and lottery operations.
Administrative Court agrees with assessment on Kornhults Idrottsklubb
According to the body, a prerequisite for being granted this license is that the applicant in practice conducts activities that mainly serve public benefit purposes. At the time, the application is reported to have said that Kornhults Idrottsklubb’s main purpose is to promote public benefit purposes through, among other things, the practice of sports.
In a translated press release, the regulator said its assessment found that the company hadn’t conducted any of its own sports activities. Instead, they say the association’s main activity has consisted of managing a sports ground.
“The Administrative Court shares the assessment of the Swedish Gambling Authority and thereby confirms that it is not sufficient for an association applying for a license to support another association that conducts public benefit activities in order to be granted a license,” the translated update states.  “The Administrative Court therefore rejects Kornhults Idrottsklubb’s appeal.”
The gambling authority in Sweden is a thorough one, with the regulatory board having also issued an update on the judgment against AB Travoch Galopp (ATG). The Court of Appeal has overturned the Administrative Court’s judgment and is upholding the Gambling Authority’s decision but the sanction fee has been reduced from SEK 6 million to SEK 3 million.
Featured Image: AI-generated via Ideogram
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Police in Kuala Lumpur have arrested 147 suspects as part of a gambling syndicate bust in Selangor.
The raids, across the region, led to the capture of the alleged perpetrators of the betting ring and a host of paraphernalia associated with running an illegal operation.
Selangor gambling busts
Those apprehended included seven non-Malaysian nationals between the ages of twenty and fifty. It was reported by The New Straits Times that they had breached their visa and right to employment.
The Director of the Federal Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Datuk M. Kamar, said, “Investigations revealed that all raided premises had no valid authorisation from any authority, including the Finance Ministry, to operate gambling-related activities such as supplying gambling machines, spare parts, developing online gambling platforms, or promoting gambling.”
Of those arrested, one hundred and thirty-three will face charges for breaches of the nation’s gambling laws. Under 4(1)(g) of the Act, Section 120B of the Penal Code for criminal conspiracy, the individuals will be charged with the promotion of gambling.
They could also face further charges under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA) for their actions.
The seven individuals in breach of passport regulations will be charged under Section 39B of the Malaysian Immigration Act 1959/63.
Malaysian authorities are strict on illegal gambling
Malaysia has been quick to quash any traces of illegal gambling, including the use of social media influencers to promote any platforms that breach the nation’s laws.
As we reported, twenty-seven individuals were arrested across seven states in the nation, in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Johor, Perlis, Kedah, and Penang.
Mr. Mohd Shuhauly of the Royal Malaysia Police’s Criminal Investigation Department said, “Initial investigations revealed that gambling syndicates hired the suspects based on the number of followers they have on social media.”
Featured image: Canva
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The Seneca Nation has an economic impact of nearly $2 billion on the economy in Western New York, according to an independent report.
The leaders from the Nation, which is a sovereign Native Nation, met with state and local officials from the state on October 22 to assess their role in the region. The economic impact cited includes thousands of jobs, hundreds of millions of dollars in local wages, payroll taxes, and more.

In the press conference, it was said that the economic impact also relates to expanding the footprint with the recent acquisition of Rochester Knighthawks highlighted. In August, it was announced that Seneca Nation’s business arm had officially acquired the lacrosse team.
“The Seneca Nation has generated 1.95 billion dollars in total economic output across New York State. In fact, that number is even low because we have such a vibrant entrepreneurial economy at the Seneca Nation,” said a speaker at the conference.
Over 8,000 jobs are said to have been contributed, along with 542.7 million in wages. A contribution of $365.9 million in taxes and other payments to the federal, state, and local government was highlighted too. The Nation ranks as the 12th largest employer in Western New York.
What businesses does the Seneca Nation have?
There are several enterprises listed under the Seneca Nation, including the Economic Development Company (SNIEDC) which provides financial services and working capital support to new and existing small native businesses, corporations, partnerships, and joint ventures.
They also own the Highbanks Campground which has over 100 campsites and cabins which are operated year round. The Seneca Energy enterprise aims to be a sustainable energy platform which can lower energy costs for the Nation and its residents.
Moving on, there’s Seneca Gaming and Entertainment which is a bingo location in Irving, New York. It also has over 650 video gaming machines and is open seven days a week.
Other enterprises include Seneca Gaming Corporation which includes several casinos, Seneca Holdings, Seneca Nation Federal Credit Union, and Seneca One Stops which are gas and convenience stores.
Featured Image: Via YouTube press conference video 
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The chairman of Star Entertainment Group calls 2025 an “extremely challenging” year, as the company reflects in its annual report.
The company has faced many difficulties during the course of the year, but it was in August 2025 when they were awarded some breathing room when The Star entered into a binding agreement with Chow Tai Fook Enterprises and Far East Consortium International to sell The Star’s 50% equity interest in the Destination Brisbane Consortium.
Bally’s Corporation and Investment Holdings Pty Ltd also committed to investing $300 million in The Star over FY25 and FY26, with this having been approved by shareholders in June 2025.
Anne Ward, the chairman, expressed gratitude to shareholders in the closing out of the year report while sharing recent changes including strengthening its executive team with key appointments.
“We have also given the CEOs of each of our properties increased accountability and greater authority to set strategy and direction as part of embracing direct and close supervision. This will enable the Group to focus on delivering the remediation plan, developing a company strategy and further strengthening our financial position.”
Star Entertainment chairman describes FY25 as ‘extremely challenging’
Although Ward acknowledged that the year has been challenging, the aim going forward “is to emerge from this period with a refreshed business, a clarity of focus and a commitment to delivering sustainable value for our people, our members and guests, and our stakeholders and shareholders.”
The Star’s group net revenue for FY25 was $1,187.5 million, down 29% on FY24. Operating expenses, however, decreased by 10% in FY25 to $982.3 million which is said to have been driven by the closure of the Treasury Brisbane Casino and The Star’s cost-out program, which was partly offset by increased costs in risk, controls and technology.
Looking to the future, The Star’s strategic priorities will fall under three categories: remediation and returning to license suitability, improving operating performance and enhancing its liquidity position.
Featured Image: Credit to Eva Rinaldi on Wikimedia Commons
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