Gambling

Americans are expected to wager $6 billion on the Super Bowl this year, up 26 percent from last year, according to the American Gaming Association. Last year, 97 percent of bets placed were illegal. But that number is expected to go down this year because several states, including New Jersey, have legalized wagering on sports.

Since New Jersey legalized gambling on sports in June 2018, the state's sportsbooks have collected almost $1.25 billion in bets and $94 million in gross revenue. And New Yorkers are playing a huge part in New Jersey's success.

A retired NYPD vice cop and seven active-duty police officers are accused of corruption and promoting prostitution. Prosecutors say the cops ran pop-up brothels, including one in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Some people who work on the industrial block told Fox 5 they knew what was going on at building 206 but were afraid to call the cops.

A retired New York Police Department vice detective and his wife have been indicted on charges they ran a prostitution ring and gambling operation with the aid of seven current police officers and dozens of civilians. Prosecutors on Thursday said Ludwig Paz operated brothels in Queens, Brooklyn and Nassau Counties and numerous gambling rooms set up inside beauty parlors and other businesses.

A three-year internal NYPD investigation has culminated in the arrests of seven police officers and dozens of civilians in connection with a gambling and prostitution ring, according to law enforcement sources. The department stripped guns and shields from Sgt. Carlos Cruz, 41, Sgt. Louis Failla, 49, Sgt. Cliff Nieves, 37, Police Officer Steven Nieves, 32, Police Officer Giancarlo Raspanti, 43, Detective Giovanny Rojas-Acosta, 40, and Detective Rene Samaniego, 43, officials said.

Two shuttered Atlantic City casinos are set to reopen with new names and under new ownership. Will their return bring new hope for the city's future? The names Revel and Trump Taj Mahal are long gone. But the properties are being rebooted as Ocean and Hard Rock, respectively.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation allowing the state's casinos and racetracks to begin taking sports bets. Murphy signed the measure Monday, making New Jersey the second state after Delaware to allow sports betting since a Supreme Court decision cleared the way for such gambling. Dennis Drazin, the operator of Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport, near the Jersey shore, says Murphy will place the first bet on Thursday.

The staff at the Monmouth Park race track in New Jersey are shining and cleaning the floors in a new wing dedicated to sports betting.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday gave its go-ahead for states to allow gambling on sports across the nation, striking down a federal law that barred betting on football, basketball, baseball and other sports in most states. Several states are expected to enact sports gaming laws.

Nestled in legendary Catskills, a new destination for big and small spenders alike: Resorts World Catskills, a casino that had a soft opening last Thursday. The $1.6 billion casino boasts some 2,100 slot machines and more than 150 live tables with games like roulette and craps. But more than bringing gambling to the region, it has also brought jobs to the Catskills and neighboring towns that are challenged economically.

Resorts World Casino New York City symbolically broke ground Thursday on a $400 million expansion that will feature a luxury hotel, more dining options, and retail space. The expansion is expected to be completed in 2019. Resorts World is New York City's only casino. More than 10 million people visit a year.