Mobster Anthony Villani from Lucchese Gang Imprisoned for Rhino Sports Scam
In a significant blow to organized crime, Anthony Villani, a former capo in the Lucchese organized crime family, was sentenced to 21 months in a federal prison on July 10, 2025, for his role in running a large-scale illegal sports gambling operation known as **Rhino Sports**. The operation, which lasted approximately 16 years, from around 2004 until 2020, generated an estimated $35 million in profits, with Villani personally netting around $15 million[1][2][3].
### The Rhino Sports Operation
Rhino Sports was a highly sophisticated and extensive operation that served between 400 and 1,300 gamblers weekly, primarily in the New York City metropolitan area[1][2][4]. The operation employed a network of over 60 bookmakers, many of whom were members or associates of the Lucchese family and other La Cosa Nostra families[1][3].
Bets were placed through an offshore website hosted on servers in Costa Rica, specifically at www.betsrus777.com[1][2][3]. This offshore element allowed the operation to evade U.S. jurisdiction until law enforcement intervened. When the COVID-19 pandemic canceled sporting events in 2020, the operation pivoted to online casino games to maintain revenue[2].
### Money Laundering and Associates
Villani and his associates laundered criminal proceeds using a complex scheme involving the purchase of United States Postal Service money orders under false names. These money orders were then paid to property companies owned by Villani, disguising the illicit earnings as legitimate rental payments[2][3].
Some notable associates included James Coumoutsos (βQuickβ) and Michael Praino (βPlatinumβ), as well as Louis Tucci Jr. and Dennis Filizzola, who reported directly to Villani and collected cash from bookmakers[3].
### Legal Consequences
The operation's online platform and money laundering activities were uncovered by law enforcement, leading to the indictment of over a dozen mob figures[1][3]. In addition to his prison sentence, Villani was ordered to forfeit $4 million in criminal proceeds related to Rhino Sports[2][3]. Other co-defendants, including Louis "Tooch" Tucci, a Lucchese soldier, pleaded guilty and agreed to pay forfeitures[1][3].
### Background
Villani had a history of gambling-related arrests dating back to 1988 and was a known figure in the Lucchese crime family[1]. Rhino Sports was a major mob-controlled betting operation, considered one of New York's most lucrative illegal gambling enterprises over nearly two decades[2]. Some proceeds from Rhino Sports were funneled back to the Lucchese family, according to prosecutors.
In conclusion, Rhino Sports was a long-running, large-scale illegal sports betting enterprise run by Lucchese crime family capo Anthony Villani, employing an extensive bookmaker network, offshore infrastructure, and money laundering schemes, which ultimately led to Villaniβs federal conviction and prison sentence in 2025[1][2][3][4].
- Anthony Villani, a former capo in the Lucchese organized crime family, was sentenced to 21 months in prison for his role in running the illegal sports gambling operation known as Rhino Sports.
- Rhino Sports was a highly sophisticated and extensive operation that employed a network of over 60 bookmakers, many of whom were members or associates of the Lucchese family.
- Bets were placed through an offshore website hosted on servers in Costa Rica, with the operation generating an estimated $35 million in profits.
- When the COVID-19 pandemic canceled sporting events in 2020, the operation pivoted to online casino games to maintain revenue.
- Villani and his associates laundered criminal proceeds using a complex scheme involving the purchase of United States Postal Service money orders under false names.
- In addition to his prison sentence, Villani was ordered to forfeit $4 million in criminal proceeds related to Rhino Sports.
