What's happened
Dae Dae Hunter, a former University of New Orleans guard, admitted to participating in point-shaving during the 2024-25 season to support his family financially. Authorities uncovered a $2 million illegal sports betting operation linked to the Lucchese crime family, involving multiple relatives and offshore websites. Hunter and others face charges and NCAA sanctions.
What's behind the headline?
This case underscores the persistent influence of organized crime in sports betting, even in regions where legal gambling exists. The involvement of college athletes like Hunter illustrates how financial pressures can lead young players into illicit schemes. The FBI and local authorities are sending a clear message that illegal betting rings, especially those linked to crime families, will be aggressively prosecuted. The broader implications suggest that organized crime continues to adapt, exploiting both offshore platforms and vulnerable individuals. The NCAA's sanctions reflect a growing crackdown on performance manipulation, but the underlying issue of illegal gambling remains a significant challenge for sports integrity and law enforcement.
What the papers say
The New York Times reports that Joseph Perna financed the operation despite legal sports betting in New Jersey, emphasizing the organized crime aspect. The AP News highlights Hunter's admission of intentionally misled NCAA investigators, framing it within a broader investigation into performance manipulation. The Independent provides detailed insights into the family connections and the scope of the illegal betting ring, including the involvement of relatives and offshore websites. These sources collectively portray a complex picture of organized crime infiltrating sports through illegal betting, with law enforcement intensifying efforts to dismantle such networks.
How we got here
The investigation into illegal sports betting in New Jersey and surrounding states revealed a sophisticated network linked to organized crime, specifically the Lucchese family. Joseph Perna, identified as the ringleader, financed the operation, which involved relatives managing offshore sportsbooks and handling approximately $2 million in bets. The case highlights ongoing efforts to combat illegal gambling despite legal sports betting being available in New Jersey.
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The University of New Orleans (UNO) is a public research university in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. First opened in 1958 as Louisiana State University in New Orleans, it is the largest public university and one of two doctoral research universit