A Pennsylvania man was recently sentenced to probation for his involvement in a sports betting ring. Mark Fino age fifty two was one of the people involved in a sports betting ring in Wilkes-Barre at the Patte’s Sports Bar.

In April Fino plead guilty to his charges. He helped the sports betting ring operate via the internet in connection with the sports bar. Fino had to pay a $1,000 and now is serving two years probation for his involvement.

Others involved in the case were Christopher Marion and the bar’s owner Patrick Patte. Both were charged for running the sports betting ring as well. The sports betting operation was based at the online site willtobet and players could place best on sporting events via the website. Winners would then visit the sports bar to collect their winnings or pay their losses that may have taken place.

Marion pled guilty as well and Patte has taken a plea agreement which was created by federal prosecutors. There is a separate civil suit filed against Patte as well. Prosecutors filed the suit in the hopes of seizing the sports bar. This could happen due to federal criminal forfeiture laws.






- 2010-08-04