Las Vegas Bookmaking Suspect Claims Entrapment After Undercover Witness Received Payment from Authorities

A 57-year-old Las Vegas man identified in court records as W.W.R. faces multiple felony charges tied to an alleged illegal sports betting operation. The defendant is contesting the case, arguing entrapment after unsealed records showed an undercover witness received between $5,000 and $6,000 from law enforcement. The operation reportedly generated around $8 million in wagers across Nevada sportsbooks and a Costa Rica-based website.

Chris Rasmussen, attorney for the defendant, maintains his client is a sports information provider and not a bookmaker. R. has denied all wrongdoing and rejected a plea offer made in August.

Unsealed Transcripts Detail Investigation Tactics

As reported by GamblingNews, newly unsealed grand jury transcripts obtained by the Las Vegas Review-Journal show the probe began nearly four years ago. It stemmed from a tip by the mother of R.’s child amid an ongoing custody dispute. The witness, Pietro Ventrella, connected with the defendant through his wife after visiting a gym in northwest Las Vegas.

Ventrella met R. at a steakhouse inside Caesars Palace and recorded the conversation using a device supplied by investigators. R. discussed a Costa Rica arrangement and offered a commission of 15% to 20% for new customers. Authorities placed undercover wagers after receiving account credentials and later obtained text messages confirming balances.

Rasmussen told the newspaper: “They were pretty aggressive with him, and I thought it was entrapment.” He disputes the prosecution’s view, stating the Costa Rica reference concerned a site providing betting lines rather than illegal wagering. The defendant operates Wild Bill Consulting Inc., a sports information service promoted on Instagram.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Austin Beaumont defended the witness payment as standard practice for confidential sources. The Nevada Gaming Control Board and FBI declined to comment.

Bail Dispute Follows September Indictment

R. was arrested in April. The case was briefly dismissed before a grand jury returned an indictment on September 29. Charges include operating an unlicensed gaming establishment, unlawfully receiving compensation for accepting wagers, attempting to launder money, and accepting unlawful bets.

Judge Carli Kierny initially released R. on his own recognizance with electronic monitoring. He was required to surrender his passport and avoid gambling establishments. Prosecutors now seek $1 million bail. They allege R. continued accepting wagers the day after his arrest and used his gym and business for laundering.

Rasmussen disputes those claims and says his client has complied with all court orders. The underlying allegations have not been resolved in court.

Reporting: GamblingNews

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