Well, they will remain alleged ties until more evidence has been gathered to prove that Tocchet had mob ties.
Whoozyerdaddy
Lifer
- Jun 27, 2005
- 19,216
- 1
- 61
There is a huge difference between gambling and running an illegal sports book tied to organized crime.
As to what Gretzky did or didn't do/know... this whole thing just broke yesterday. It'll take more than 24 hours to shake this thing out. I sure HOPE he had nothing to do with this but right now they have him on tape talking to Tocchet about his wife's involvment. And if we have tape of that then that means he knew that Tocchet was involved as well.
It's not looking good.
Gambling in a casino and losing your wad of cash in blackjack or craps isn't a problem.
If you're an athlete and you place bets on sports, there is a problem. Most athletes have connections to many other people in different sports. It only takes one guy to fix a game: player doesn't hustle, goalie lets a goal through even though the game is in the bag, guy doesn't mop up the puddle of sweat fast enough.
Nothing like a gambling scandal to bring down an entire sport.
If you're an athlete and you place bets on sports, there is a problem. Most athletes have connections to many other people in different sports. It only takes one guy to fix a game: player doesn't hustle, goalie lets a goal through even though the game is in the bag, guy doesn't mop up the puddle of sweat fast enough.
Nothing like a gambling scandal to bring down an entire sport.
If they didn't bet on hockey then I don't care.
I also don't care if they were linked to organized crime. Anyone running a book in that area will have to payoff the mob. The mob stills runs the numbers rackets up there. You don't have a choice. The whole mob angle is a red herring by the Prosecutors -- they are hoping to poison the jury pool and public opinion.
Who cares how much his wife bet? I seriously doubt Gretzky is going to run out of money anytime soon. He's a millionaire MANY times over. I'm sure if it became a noticeable problem that he'd get her help or put a stop to it.
Like someone said -- if they used an online book or went through Vegas nothing would have been said. Obviously someone is looking for a political victory here, or just looking for some time on the news. Gambling being illegal is silly anyway.
Everyone that bets online in a state that makes gambling illegal is typically committing a crime anyway. It doesn't matter if the book is offshore -- many states prohibit you from gambling in any way shape form or fashion on their soil -- unless it is a state regulated establishment.
It is zero of the Government's business if I bet on Sports. If there was a concern it should have been taken up with NHL security and a confidential investigation. Now the real truth, depth, and what really happened will never be known. The damn Prosecution has leaked so much that there is no way anyone is going to tell the truth now, or even be believed if they did tell the truth.
I also don't care if they were linked to organized crime. Anyone running a book in that area will have to payoff the mob. The mob stills runs the numbers rackets up there. You don't have a choice. The whole mob angle is a red herring by the Prosecutors -- they are hoping to poison the jury pool and public opinion.
Who cares how much his wife bet? I seriously doubt Gretzky is going to run out of money anytime soon. He's a millionaire MANY times over. I'm sure if it became a noticeable problem that he'd get her help or put a stop to it.
Like someone said -- if they used an online book or went through Vegas nothing would have been said. Obviously someone is looking for a political victory here, or just looking for some time on the news. Gambling being illegal is silly anyway.
Everyone that bets online in a state that makes gambling illegal is typically committing a crime anyway. It doesn't matter if the book is offshore -- many states prohibit you from gambling in any way shape form or fashion on their soil -- unless it is a state regulated establishment.
It is zero of the Government's business if I bet on Sports. If there was a concern it should have been taken up with NHL security and a confidential investigation. Now the real truth, depth, and what really happened will never be known. The damn Prosecution has leaked so much that there is no way anyone is going to tell the truth now, or even be believed if they did tell the truth.
actually, GAMBLING isn't illegal, making book is.
also, if she did gamble then she did win SOME, so now the question will be, has she always declared her winnings?
i'm willing to bet not.
I see a major flaw there. Yes, there is a lot of contact between celebrities, athletes, and anyone else connected in that realm. However, the goalie would have to know what spread or total the bettor had. He'd have to do that for ANY bet that was made. Same goes for any other sport and game fixing. It isn't as easy as it sounds, and the argument of knowing other athletes doesn't wash.
Many betting services -- and even ESPN -- get a lot of info that 5-10 years ago they never would have gotten. The media is brutal. You can't hide injuries or conspiracies anymore.
You really think a player is going to risk their neck for someone they casually know? They'd be more likely to do it for a friend or family member, and not some other wealthy athelete or celebrity.
Sports gambling in many states certainly is illegal unless you place the bet while not on their soil. Now, only certain states (small number) have explicit laws applying to the internet.
http://sportsgambling.about.com/od/legalfacts/a/Betting_Laws.htm
In theory, sports betting -- even offshore -- is quite illegal in most states. It could easily violate a whole host of federal laws as well.
See, that's my point. This is entirely a bunch of bullsh!t. What's the difference in gambling and making a book? You can't have one without the other, so why is one more easily attacked? Let's not compare this to the war on drugs, either.
i know in CT, NY and NJ it isn't illegal to bet. office pools etc are legal as long as the person running the pool doesn't take a piece.
Doesn't have to be as blatant as letting a goal through. Maybe they switch from Orange Gatorade to Grape? Maybe he knew that some coach wasn't going to play some player for x minutes in the next game.
But the funny part of this is the way the Great One is distancing himself from his wife now. haha.
Hardly.
"This indictment represents our strong and unrelenting commitment to prosecuting illicit gambling and organized crime cases throughout the state," Attorney General Harvey said. "Betting on sports is illegal in New Jersey. This prosecution sends a clear message to those who would engage in illegal sports betting and gambling that their activities will be vigorously investigated and illegal profits confiscated. Corruption, organized crime and other crimes that victimize innocent individuals, businesses, and business persons will not be tolerated."
http://www.state.nj.us/lps/newsreleases04/pr20040827a.html
Another link that says it is illegal in NJ:
http://rose.casinocitytimes.com/articles/1015.html
http://gamblingmagazine.com/ManageArticle.asp?C=530&A=10231
http://rose.casinocitytimes.com/articles/1015.html
http://gamblingmagazine.com/ManageArticle.asp?C=530&A=10231
And finally -- interstate sports gambling by phone or wire is illegal:
http://www.cnn.com/TECH/computing/9903/24/gambling.idg/index.html
The internet is in theory illegal, but only three states actually explicitly ban it. It doesn't mean, however, that prosecutors (federal or state) can't charge you with violation of the 1961 or 1992 law -- even if you were using the net. They are general enough to prohibit Internet Gambling, but don't specifically state it.
Why do you think Vegas doesn't have online sportsbooks or casinos?
http://www.cnn.com/TECH/computing/9903/24/gambling.idg/index.html
The internet is in theory illegal, but only three states actually explicitly ban it. It doesn't mean, however, that prosecutors (federal or state) can't charge you with violation of the 1961 or 1992 law -- even if you were using the net. They are general enough to prohibit Internet Gambling, but don't specifically state it.
Why do you think Vegas doesn't have online sportsbooks or casinos?
the lawyers that called into Mike and the Mad dog show on WFAN all stated, placing the bet is not illegal (gretzky's wife's activity for example). it was the people taking the bets making a profit are the ones engaged in an illegal activity.
your articles don't make the distinctions.
Miramonti
Lifer
- Aug 26, 2000
- 28,653
- 100
- 106
They usually only go after the book etc., not the bettors. There are ethics issues with the nhl if gretky knew about it, and he may face a fine, but thats it imo.
Overall its rather humorous to think his wife, who probably doesn't know sh!t about sports and spreads, was not a front for gretzky's bets tho (betting being a common vice of ex-jocks), but proving it is another story.
Overall its rather humorous to think his wife, who probably doesn't know sh!t about sports and spreads, was not a front for gretzky's bets tho (betting being a common vice of ex-jocks), but proving it is another story.
meltdown75
Lifer
- Nov 17, 2004
- 37,548
- 7
- 81
thanks for contributing to the thread.
so because his wife is an addicted gambler, it automatically makes him involved?
Whatever. Gretzky is even greater as a human being than he was as a hockey player, if you can believe it. His reputation off the ice speaks for itself.
There's no WAY he would put his reputation on the line by actively participating in illegal gambling. He's just not that stupid. His wife screwed him over.
Originally posted by: meltdown75
thanks for contributing to the thread.
so because his wife is an addicted gambler, it automatically makes him involved?
Whatever. Gretzky is even greater as a human being than he was as a hockey player, if you can believe it. His reputation off the ice speaks for itself.
There's no WAY he would put his reputation on the line by actively participating in illegal gambling. He's just not that stupid. His wife screwed him over.
That's rather ignorant I'm afraid. Even the best of people are succeptible to addictions and vices. It's very possible this is his Achilles heel.
SP33Demon
Lifer
- Jun 22, 2001
- 27,928
- 143
- 106
Yeah, because Gretzky lying that he knew his wife was gambling makes him such a "great human being". His best friend (Tocchet) has ties to La Costra Nostra from South Philly into South Jersey. Ever heard of the saying, birds of a feather?Originally posted by: meltdown75
thanks for contributing to the thread.
so because his wife is an addicted gambler, it automatically makes him involved?
Whatever. Gretzky is even greater as a human being than he was as a hockey player, if you can believe it. His reputation off the ice speaks for itself.
There's no WAY he would put his reputation on the line by actively participating in illegal gambling. He's just not that stupid. His wife screwed him over.
Giving his wife $500,000 for a single bet makes him not actively "participating". Is he rich? Yup, and don't think for a second that they don't share the family fortune, and he didn't know that his wife was placing single bets for hundreds of thousands apiece.
Don't be surprised if he bet on hockey, considering Tocchet was his assistant and best friend. IF he bet on hockey, he should get a lifetime ban from the game and maybe even jail time.
meltdown75
Lifer
- Nov 17, 2004
- 37,548
- 7
- 81
gee, where do you get your info? you're ahead of the entire world on this story. how do you know he gave his wife that amount of money? oh yeah, you're just some guy on an internet forum. YOU DON'T KNOW.
all the wiretap proves is that when he found out the sh1t about his wife, he wanted to see what he could do to get her out of trouble.
- she gambled
- he didn't
i fail to see the issue.
btw i love how the US media jumps all over every negative story about the NHL. get a life you drama loving freaks.
SP33Demon
Lifer
- Jun 22, 2001
- 27,928
- 143
- 106
Evidence:
a) His best friend (and Coyotes assistant) has ties to the mob and took bets for everyone ranging from the Coyotes GM to Gretsky's wife to dirty cops.
b) His wife was part of said best friend's gambling ring that involved 1.7 million over the past month and a half, as well as numerous plasma TV's from the mob tied to laundered money that said best friend was to receive (according to the NJ State Police).
c) Gretsky has already lied about NOT knowing his wife was involved. "Gretzky was recorded on a wiretap talking to the alleged financier of a gambling ring, discussing how his wife, actress Janet Jones Gretzky, could avoid being implicated, a person with knowledge of the investigation told The Associated Press on Thursday."
I understand your viewpoint b/c you're a blind Gretsky fanboy (sig tells us everything we need to know). You're devoid of any logic or reason, just as SF Giant fanboys will still say that Bonds didn't "knowingly take steroids". There's benefit of a doubt, and then there's just naivity.
meltdown75
Lifer
- Nov 17, 2004
- 37,548
- 7
- 81
I'm not a Gretzky "fanboy". I didn't even like the Oilers back then. If you think my sig "tells us everything we need to know" (am i on trial?), then it only shows your ignorance, not mine.
The three points you offered don't implicate Gretzky. They actually only serve to prove my point. He is not involved.
If my wife steals eleventy billion dollars from me and bets in an illegal sports book with it, am I guilty? Am I guilty by association? Obviously in your eyes I would be...
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