In a stunning development that bridges professional basketball and organised crime, federal investigators have uncovered a sophisticated illegal gambling network with direct ties to the notorious Gambino crime family.
The Mob Connection
The operation was allegedly masterminded by relatives of Sammy "The Bull" Gravano, the infamous Gambino family underboss who became one of America's most notorious mob turncoats. This revelation adds a dramatic new chapter to the Gravano family's criminal legacy.
NBA Links Exposed
Court documents reveal the gambling ring had direct connections to the National Basketball Association, though specific teams or players involved remain undisclosed. The sophisticated operation allegedly processed millions in illegal wagers on professional basketball games among other sports.
Sophisticated Criminal Enterprise
According to FBI affidavits, the network operated a complex system that included:
- Multiple offshore betting platforms
- Cryptocurrency transactions to conceal money trails
- High-profile clients including professional athletes
- Violent enforcement methods characteristic of traditional mob operations
Family Ties to Infamy
The investigation focuses on Gravano's son and daughter, who allegedly continued their father's criminal traditions through this elaborate sports betting scheme. Sammy Gravano himself remains in prison for unrelated drug trafficking charges.
This case represents one of the most significant intersections between professional sports and organised crime in recent years, raising serious questions about integrity in professional basketball and the persistent reach of traditional crime families into modern illegal enterprises.
