Lucchese Mobster Anthony Villani Crushed in $25M Gambling Sting—Mafia Still Thrives
The feds just dealt a brutal blow to the Lucchese crime family—but don’t think for a second that the Mafia is dead.
Anthony Villani, a made man in the Lucchese clan, along with four of his associates, has finally been taken down, pleading guilty to running a massive illegal gambling empire that raked in $25 million over the past 25 years. But this isn’t just a relic of mob history—the case proves La Cosa Nostra is still very much alive and pulling strings from the shadows.
For decades, Villani’s “Rhino Sports” operation was a cash cow, raking in millions and reminding law enforcement that the Mafia’s gambling rackets never really went away. The Eastern District U.S. Attorney’s Office made it clear: organized crime is still thriving, even if it’s no longer making front-page headlines every day.
Authorities emphasized that illegal gambling isn’t just about taking bets—it’s about control, muscle, and the ever-present threat of violence. The FBI’s New York Field Office warned that the traditional Mafia hasn’t faded away, and this case is proof that old-school mobsters are still running their classic scams under the radar.
At the heart of this racket was Anthony Villani, a Lucchese soldier who finally caved to charges of racketeering, money laundering, and illegal gambling. Now, at 60 years old, he’s staring down the barrel of a 20-year prison sentence and has been forced to hand over $4 million in dirty money.
Villani’s operation was no small-time street hustle. Running out of the Bronx and Westchester County, Rhino Sports pulled in over $1 million a year, with up to 1,300 bettors placing wagers each week. Mafia associates acted as bookies, making sure the money kept flowing, while Villani sat at the top, counting his take.
But the money wasn’t just piling up—it needed to be washed. Prosecutors say Villani and his crew funneled millions through fake money orders, disguising them as rental payments to his property company to keep the heat off their backs.
Now, five of the crew are waiting for their sentences, but the feds aren’t done yet—a sixth suspect is still on the run. The question is: how long before the law catches up to him too?