Ex-Girlfriend’s Tip Leads to Massive $8M Illegal Betting Bust in Las Vegas

• Las Vegas man accused of running $8M illegal betting operation
  
• Used offshore Costa Rica site and local agents to take bets
  
• Hedged risk through Nevada sportsbooks before investigation and arrest

A scorned ex-girlfriend’s tip led Las Vegas police to dismantle a massive $8M illegal bookmaking ring operating out of a local residence.

William West Roberts, 57, is accused of taking bets through a website based in Costa Rica and commingling the proceeds with revenues from two businesses he owns, Ace’s Family Fitness, a gym in northwest Las Vegas, and Wild Bill Consulting Inc., a gambling tip and handicapping business.

Roberts went by the name “Wild Bill” and described himself as a “pro sport handicapper of 35-plus years.” He offered to share his sports betting tips to his website subscribers for $249 per month.

Hell Hath No Fury…

But it was a tip from his ex that kickstarted a yearslong investigation into Roberts’ activities by the Nevada Gaming Control Board and the FBI, according to The Las Vegas Review-Journal. Court documents show that Roberts is currently embroiled in a child custody battle with a former partner.

Between 2022 and 2026, he was listed in 334 cash transaction reports (CTRs) – mandatory reports filed by financial institutions and casinos for cash transactions exceeding a $10K threshold, according to court documents.

“The financial documentation did not substantiate the volume of funds Roberts used to support his lifestyle and casino wagering,” investigators said. “Multiple financial institutions closed Roberts’ accounts due to suspicious banking activity and casinos likewise identified irregularities associated with his transactions.”

Price Per Head

From the description, it’s likely that Roberts was using a “price per head” business model, also known as “pay per head.”

This is a setup in which an unlicensed bookmaker uses an offshore platform provider to offer online betting services to a local clientele. The offshore provider supplies the website, betting lines, and account management tools, typically charging the bookmaker a weekly fee per active customer.

Bets are placed and tracked on the website through individual user accounts, but financial transactions are often handled outside the platform.

Roberts is facing felony counts of operating a gaming establishment without a license, disseminating racing information without a license, and receipt of compensation for bets without a gaming license.

He also faces gross misdemeanor counts of accepting an unlawful wager in Nevada, attempting to launder money, and one misdemeanor count of accepting an unlawful wager from someone outside Nevada.

At the time of writing, the DA’s Office has not filed formal charges. In a filing to the Las Vegas Justice Court Wednesday, Roberts’ lawyer denied that he is a bookmaker.