Winnipeg Man profiting off illegal NFL pool: Police

WINNIPEG — Football fans spend millions betting on sporting events like pro football games, but now a 46-year old Winnipeg man is facing a rare charge for running an illegal online NFL pool.

“He was profiting,” said Constable Jason Michalyshen, with the Winnipeg Police Service, “profiting as a result the bets being placed over a period of time.”

Police say the man kept 10 per cent of the bets for himself, making a profit of $10,000 this season.

Global News is not naming the man until his charge of pool-selling has been laid.

In September, the Manitoba Liquor and Gaming Authority got wind of the man’s site.

“He actually wouldn’t be eligible for a license, it’s not a type of license we would issue,” said Kristianne Dechant with Liquor and Gaming.

Winnipeg police began investigating in November and made an arrest two days after the Superbowl earlier this month.  Roughly every week, about 500 people would bet $10 to $20 to guess the winners.  They could even drop off their wagers at any of six lounges in Winnipeg, by handing an envelope to the bartender.

Those who picked the most winners collected their money at the end of the season.

“There are no checks and balances with respect to this pool,” said Constable Michalyshen.

Global news spoke to several people who bet on the site but did not want to be identified.  One man even won thousands of dollars.

“I thought it was on the up and up legally…by the same token, I realize there are some costs with managing the site.”

While another better says he knew it wasn’t legal, “I asked him if he had a license or whatever and he said no he didn’t.

There are no previous court records on the organizer. If he is found guilty of pool-selling he could face a fine or even jail time.