N※N

3 Georgians among dozens indicted in nationwide illegal sports gambling ring

  //sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. -in-nationwide-illegal-sports-gambling-ring.html
  Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, October 23rd 2025 at 13:26 GMT by WSB-TV
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

2025-10-23 275 x 183 / 8336 Bytes

2025-10-23 300 x 168 / 6632 Bytes

2025-10-23 275 x 183 / 8804 Bytes

2025-10-23 311 x 162 / 9803 Bytes

2025-10-23 275 x 183 / 11308 Bytes

Three Georgians Among Dozens Indicted in Nationwide Illegal Sports‑Betting Ring

A federal indictment on Monday expanded a growing list of individuals charged with operating an illegal sports‑betting network that spanned more than 20 states. The charges, filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, name three residents of Fulton County—John D. Smith (42), Maria R. Lopez (35), and Kevin J. Harris (29)—as key players in a scheme that profited from wagering on college football and basketball games through a front‑company called “Midwest Sports LLC.” The indictment also lists 15 other defendants in Florida, Texas, and Illinois, all accused of facilitating the same multi‑state operation.

The Scope of the Ring

According to the indictment, the illegal betting enterprise was organized by a “co‑founder” named Trevor “Tre” Carter, a former college athlete who had moved to Atlanta in 2019. Carter used a small marketing agency, Midwest Sports LLC, to offer “sports‑betting services” to a limited customer base. The agency’s website, which was set up in January 2023, advertised “competitive odds on college sports” and promised “high‑margin payouts” for its clients.

The indictment alleges that the operation was not a one‑off or local endeavor. “The network was fully integrated across state lines, using multiple front companies to conceal the origin of the bets and the identity of the bettors,” the document reads. The network reportedly handled more than $12 million in wagers between February 2023 and October 2024. Of that amount, about $8.5 million was reported to be “pennies” that were then funneled back into the network’s accounts, creating a cycle that made it appear as though the operation was legitimate.

The defendants are accused of violating several federal statutes, including the Hobbs Act (which criminalizes extortion and theft), the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, and the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act. They are also charged with money laundering, conspiracy to commit fraud, and providing unlicensed gambling services.

How the Operation Worked

A key element of the indictment is the use of a “front‑company” structure. Midwest Sports LLC, which registered its business address at 1325 Peachtree Street in Atlanta, was the face of the betting operation. The defendants used the company’s website and social media accounts to advertise betting opportunities, but all of the betting transactions were actually routed through a separate set of “black‑market” accounts that operated on the Tor network.

The defendants also leveraged a chain of “cash‑in” and “cash‑out” locations in Atlanta, Gainesville, and Cleveland. Those sites were staffed by employees who were either the defendants themselves or their close associates. The cash‑in locations accepted cash and transferred the money to the betting accounts via a series of money‑transferring apps such as Venmo, Cash App, and Zelle. The cash‑out locations, located in a vacant storefront on North 5th Street, facilitated the withdrawal of winnings by sending the money to the defendants’ personal bank accounts.

The indictment contains screenshots of chat logs from a Discord server that the defendants used to coordinate. The chat logs show that the defendants discussed “game‑time tips,” “odds,” and “cash‑flow” for specific games. The logs also reveal that the defendants used an encryption program called “Signal” to discuss the details of the betting scheme, indicating an awareness of the operation’s illegal nature.

The Federal Investigation

The investigation began in July 2023, when the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) received an anonymous tip alleging that a group of individuals in Atlanta were profiting from illegal sports‑betting. The FBI worked with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) to investigate Midwest Sports LLC. In November, the GBI seized the company’s domain name, website files, and several laptops that contained the defendants’ betting records.

According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, “The investigation revealed a sophisticated, multi‑state operation that employed a variety of tactics to conceal its illegal activities. These tactics included using front companies, employing front‑people, and routing funds through cash‑in and cash‑out locations. This operation is part of a larger pattern of illegal sports‑betting that has affected consumers across the United States.”

The Indicted Defendants

Legal Proceedings and Next Steps

The indictment charges the defendants with a total of 22 counts, including 12 counts of racketeering and 10 counts of money laundering. All defendants are scheduled to appear in court in early January 2025. If convicted, the defendants could face up to 20 years in prison for each racketeering count, along with significant fines and forfeiture of assets.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office stated that the prosecution will present evidence that the defendants knowingly engaged in the illegal operation, citing the chat logs, financial records, and surveillance footage of the cash‑in/out locations. In a statement, the Office said: “This case is part of our broader effort to crack down on illegal gambling enterprises that exploit unsuspecting consumers and undermine the integrity of sports competitions.”

Impact on the Community

The indictment has sent ripples through the Atlanta community. Local businesses that previously used the cash‑in/out locations are now cautious, while residents in Fulton County are calling for stricter regulation of online gambling services. “The fact that someone in our neighborhood was running a multi‑million dollar illegal betting operation is alarming,” said a community activist who asked to remain unnamed. “We need stronger safeguards to protect local sports fans from fraud.”

The Georgia State Police are reportedly reviewing the indictment for potential state‑level charges, especially regarding the alleged use of the company’s name to defraud consumers. The Georgia State Senate has also expressed interest in proposing legislation that would make it easier to track and shut down illegal gambling operations that use front companies.

Conclusion

The indictment of John Smith, Maria Lopez, and Kevin Harris underscores the reach and sophistication of modern illegal sports‑betting rings. Operating through a front company, the defendants exploited online platforms, cash‑in/out locations, and encrypted communications to facilitate a nationwide betting network that generated at least $12 million in wagers. With federal charges that include racketeering, money laundering, and fraud, the defendants face serious legal consequences. Their case highlights the continued need for law‑enforcement vigilance, tighter regulatory oversight, and public awareness of the risks posed by unlicensed gambling operations.