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A Las Vegas man has been arrested after state and federal authorities accused him of operating an illegal sports betting business tied to millions of dollars in wagers placed through Nevada sportsbooks and an offshore website.
William West Roberts, 57, was taken into custody Tuesday, April 21, following what investigators described as a multi-year probe led by the Nevada Gaming Control Board and the FBI. Authorities say the case involved unlicensed betting activity, suspicious financial movements and the use of legal sportsbooks to manage risk connected to an illegal operation.
According to investigators, Roberts accepted wagers through a website based in Costa Rica while also placing large volumes of bets at licensed Nevada sportsbooks. Law enforcement alleges the arrangement allowed him to run a shadow betting business outside regulated channels while using legal books as part of day-to-day operations.
Roberts now faces felony charges that include operating a gaming establishment without a license, disseminating racing information without a license and receiving compensation for bets without a gaming license. He also faces gross misdemeanor counts of accepting unlawful wagers in Nevada, attempted money laundering, and one misdemeanor count involving an unlawful wager from outside Nevada.
Court records show he posted bond and is scheduled to return to court on May 12.
Investigators Trace Millions in Sportsbook Bets
Authorities say casino records showed Roberts wagered around $8 million at Nevada sportsbooks during the investigation period. The Gaming Control Board said Roberts appeared in 334 cash transaction reports between 2022 and 2026, totaling as much as $7.4 million.
Those filings, commonly required for large cash transactions, became part of a broader financial review by investigators.
“A review of casino records showed that Roberts wagered approximately 8 million dollars in sports books in Nevada,” investigators said. “Illegal bookmakers sometimes place bets on legal wagering platforms for a few practical reasons tied to how their business works. The main reason is the hedging risk. A bookie takes bets from customers and is exposed to losses if those customers win big. To manage that risk, they will often ‘lay off’ bets on a legal sports book.”
That process, commonly known as hedging or laying off bets, allows bookmakers to reduce exposure when customers place large wagers on one side of an event. Investigators contend Roberts used licensed sportsbooks in Nevada for that purpose while operating an unlicensed business elsewhere.
Authorities said the scale of transactions and betting activity drew attention over time.
The arrest report alleges Roberts mixed betting proceeds with finances connected to two separate businesses. Investigators identified Ace’s Family Fitness, located at 7171 N. Hualapai Way in Las Vegas, and Wild Bill Consulting Inc., described as a gambling tip and social media handicapping business.
Roberts reportedly used the name “Wild Bill” and promoted himself as a long-time sports handicapper. Publicly available descriptions linked him to paid betting picks and subscription-based advice.
Authorities claim money connected to the alleged bookmaking operation moved alongside funds from these businesses, making it harder to identify the true source of proceeds.
“The financial documentation did not substantiate the volume of funds Roberts used to support his lifestyle and casino wagering,” investigators said, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “Multiple financial institutions closed Roberts’ accounts due to suspicious banking activity and casinos likewise identified irregularities associated with his transactions.”
Investigators believe those patterns helped sustain the operation over several years.
Tip From Former Partner Sparked Probe
According to the investigative report, the case began after Roberts’ former girlfriend contacted authorities by email. That tip reportedly led regulators and federal agents to begin examining his activities.
The inquiry later involved a confidential human source and undercover investigators posing as gamblers. Authorities also state Roberts was recorded discussing aspects of the alleged operation.
The case highlights an ongoing enforcement concern in Nevada: licensed sportsbooks can become useful tools for illegal bookmakers seeking to offset liabilities or move funds through legitimate gaming channels.
Nevada regulators have taken action in several recent matters involving bookmakers or anti-money laundering failures tied to casino operations. While the Roberts case appears smaller than some prior headline settlements, officials view it as part of the same broader issue.
No attorney was listed for Roberts in available court records at the time of reporting, and no criminal complaint had been filed as of Friday morning, according to cited records.
Roberts remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.