Two Men Sentenced For Illegal Sports Gambling

BOSTON – Two Massachusetts men were sentenced in federal court in Worcester in connection with operating separate illegal sports gambling businesses.

Keith Bianchini, 40, of Holden, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to two years of probation, with the first six months to be served on house arrest, and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and $56,000 in forfeiture. In January 2019, Bianchini pleaded guilty to one count of operating an illegal gambling business.

According to court documents, Bianchini’s bookmaking operation used an offshore website to place and track wagers on National Football League games and other sporting events.  During the time that Bianchini managed the gambling business, he oversaw various agents who recruited bettors and met face-to-face with bettors to collect cash payments associated with losing bets. While operating the bookmaking business, Bianchini was a correctional officer with the Massachusetts Department of Correction.

On Monday, April 22, Anthony Seariac, 38, of Framingham, was sentenced to two years of probation, to include six months of home confinement, and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and $92,000 in forfeiture. In January 2019, Seariac pleaded guilty to one count of operating an illegal gambling business.

According to court documents, Seariac operated an illegal sports gambling business that utilized an offshore website to place and track wagers on National Football League games, National Basketball Association games, National College Athletic Association football and basketball games, and other sporting events. Seariac managed and oversaw more than 10 agents who recruited bettors and met face-to-face with bettors to collect cash payments associated with losing bets. Seariac failed to pay federal or state taxes on his gambling income.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Office; and Colonel Kerry Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Abely of Lelling’s Criminal Division prosecuted the cases.