Michigan man sentenced after pleading guilty to felony gambling charge

(PRESS RELEASE) -- Jeffrey Saco, a 38-year-old Southfield man, has pled guilty to one count of engaging in illegal gambling activities, a 10-year felony, following an extensive investigation into fraudulent activities involving his mobile betting account with Caesars Entertainment. The charges stem from a joint investigation by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) and the Michigan Department of Attorney General, after Caesars Entertainment flagged suspicious activities by Saco in 2023.

Saco admitted to using a system vulnerability to make over $2 million in fictitious deposits into his Caesars sportsbook account. Between April 2023 and May 2023, Saco placed nearly 10,000 bets and wagered more than $88 million, transferring over $521,000 into his personal account before ceasing activity on the platform.

As part of his plea agreement, Saco has made an initial $25,000 payment through his attorney, with the funds to be turned over to Caesars via the court. He has also made the first of ongoing monthly restitution payments of $2,500.

Saco was placed on 36 months of probation and is required to continue making $2,500 monthly payments to Caesars throughout the probationary period. At the end of his probation, any outstanding balance will be converted into a promissory note.

In addition to the restitution terms, Saco was sentenced to 90 days in jail, with two days served. The remaining jail time is held in abeyance pending compliance with the terms of his probation. He is also attending Gamblers Anonymous as part of his rehabilitation.

Further court-ordered financial obligations include $68 in state costs, a $130 crime victim assessment, a $100 fine, $350 in court costs, and a $30 monthly probation oversight fee.

The plea was made after Saco faced eight felony charges, including:

Larceny by Conversion (1 count): Punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000 or three times the value of the stolen property.
Gambling Activity-Felony Violation (3 counts): Each count is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $100,000, or both.
Using a Computer to Commit a Crime (4 counts): Each count is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.

MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams stressed the agency’s commitment to enforcing gambling laws: "This plea agreement is an important step in ensuring that individuals who violate state gaming regulations are held accountable for their actions. We will continue to work closely with the Michigan Attorney General’s Office and industry partners to maintain the integrity of Michigan's gaming industry."