Mafia-Linked $2M Illegal Sports Betting Ring Busted in New Jersey/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A multimillion-dollar illegal sports betting ring allegedly led by Lucchese crime family member Joseph “Little Joe” Perna has been dismantled in New Jersey. Authorities charged 14 individuals, including Perna’s relatives, in a sweeping racketeering and money laundering investigation. Despite legal sports betting in the state, organized crime reportedly used offshore sites and recruited college athletes to target Gen Z gamblers.
Quick Look:
- Main suspect: Joseph “Little Joe” Perna, 55, alleged Lucchese crime family soldier
- Charges: Racketeering, money laundering, conspiracy, illegal gambling
- Family operation: Son, stepsons, nephews, wife, and ex-wife also charged
- Recruitment: College athletes and Gen Z gamblers targeted via sub-agent networks
- Platforms used: Offshore gambling websites, illegal electronic sportsbooks
- Legal status: Sports betting legal in NJ since 2018—but only through licensed operators
- Penalty: Perna faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted
Mafia-Linked $2M Illegal Sports Betting Ring Busted in New Jersey
Deep Look:
TRENTON, N.J. (Nov. 14, 2025) — A sprawling, illegal sports betting ring allegedly run by a reputed member of the Lucchese crime family has been shut down in New Jersey following a two-year investigation, state officials announced Thursday.
At the center of the operation is Joseph “Little Joe” Perna, a 55-year-old “soldier” in the Lucchese crime family, who now faces multiple charges including racketeering, conspiracy, illegal gambling, and money laundering.
According to New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, the multimillion-dollar operation wasn’t just mob-backed — it was a family business.
“This was truly a family affair,” Platkin said at a press conference, noting that Perna’s son, stepsons, nephews, wife, and ex-wife are among the 14 individuals charged in connection with the illicit scheme.
How the Betting Ring Worked
Although sports betting has been legal in New Jersey since 2018, authorities allege that Perna and his associates chose to bypass regulated markets, operating multiple unlicensed electronic sportsbooks using offshore websites to avoid oversight.
“Organized crime families seem to have a hard time breaking this old habit. So we’re going to break it for them,” said Platkin.
Officials say Perna served as the financier—or bank—for the illegal enterprise, which they estimate took in more than $2 million. His son reportedly oversaw daily operations, coordinating bets and managing a network of sub-agents, many of whom were recruited from his own high school and college friend groups.
College Athletes and Gen Z Gamblers Targeted
According to investigators, the operation specifically exploited college students and young adults, including student-athletes, to act as bookmakers or to be used for collections.
“This operation also included a number of college athletes who operated sportsbooks at the direction of the Perna enterprise,” Platkin said. “They effectively recruited younger gamblers—players they knew could pay up or be pressured to do so.”
Platkin issued a strong warning to young bettors:
“If you’re going to gamble, do it legally. Do not gamble in a mob-backed operation. That’s free parental advice,” he said. “You don’t know where that money is coming from, or what you’re getting yourself into.”
Changing Tactics, Same Mob
Platkin acknowledged that while the methods may be evolving, the presence of organized crime remains a serious issue.
“Organized crime, unfortunately, has not gone away. It has changed its form, they have changed their tactics, they changed how they operate. But you see a multimillion-dollar sports betting ring run by alleged members of the mob—that’s not going away, it’s just changing,” he said.
“My advice to them: Knock it off. Earn your money a legitimate way.”
Legal Ramifications
If convicted on the most serious charges, Perna could face up to 20 years in prison. Charges vary for the remaining 13 defendants, and authorities say more details, including names and counts, are available through the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General.
This latest bust is part of a broader crackdown on illegal gambling and organized crime, even as legal betting becomes more accessible to the public.
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