legal-united-states-poker-sites
  • Online Poker
    • Card Rooms
    • Poker Apps
    • Real Money Online Poker
    • Poker Games
      • Caribbean Stud
      • Mississippi Stud
      • Texas Hold'em
      • 5 Card Stud
      • 7 Card Stud
      • 5 Card Draw
      • 3 Card Poker
      • Omaha
      • Omaha Hi Lo
      • Horse Poker
  • Reviews
    • Americas Cardroom
    • Betonline
    • Black Chip Poker
    • Bovada
    • Everygame
    • Ignition
    • Juicy Stakes
    • Sportsbetting Poker
  • Deposit Methods
    • Bitcoin
    • Prepaid Visa
    • Visa
    • Cash App
    • Mastercard
  • Poker By State
    • Alabama
    • Alaska
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • California
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Indiana
    • Idaho
    • Indiana
    • Illinois
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Kentucky
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Massachusetts
    • Maryland
    • Michigan
    • Minnesota
    • Mississippi
    • Missouri
    • Montana
    • Nebraska
    • Nevada
    • New Hampshire
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • North Carolina
    • North Dakota
    • Ohio
    • Oklahoma
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Rhode Island
    • South Carolina
    • South Dakota
    • Tennessee
    • Texas
    • Utah
    • Vermont
    • Virginia
    • Washington
    • West Virginia
    • Wisconsin
    • Wyoming
  • World Series of Poker
    • Schedule
    • Main Event
    • Satellite
  • Poker Strategy
    • Bankroll Management
    • Betting Rules
    • Bluffing
    • Check Raising
    • Hand Rankings
  • Tournaments
Flag Background
Home › News › Billionaire Art Dealer Busted in Federal Gambling Raid

Billionaire Art Dealer Busted in Federal Gambling Raid

Written by Cliff Spiller
Last updated on November 2nd, 2018
Featured Image Sometimes the truth can be stranger than fiction, as is the case with the story of a federal raid that took place this week on New York City's tony Upper East Side in one of its most luxurious hotels, the Carlyle. Federal agents raided an art gallery located inside the historic hotel, the Helly Nahmad Gallery. The gallery, which has sold works by modern masters such as Francis Bacon, according to the New York Times, is owned by Hillel "Helly" Nahmad, a member of one of the world's wealthiest families. The Nahmad family fortune has been estimated at $3 billion by Forbes. The family operates art galleries in London and New York. Helly Nahmad was one of thirty arrested in connection with what authorities call a massive illegal gambling operation with links to Russian organized crime. Charges against the individuals have not yet been publicized, though money laundering and gambling are expected to be among the accusations announced against the arrested persons, some of whom are from New York. People from Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Miami, as well as other locations will also be charged in connection to the case, authorities said. The government says that Nahmad and Russian organized crime figure Alimzhan Tokhtakhounov operated two illegal high-stakes gambling rings - one serving the United States as well as an overseas ring allegedly overseen by Tokhtakhounov. The groups are said to have laundered tens of millions of dollars through Cypriot banks, money that eventually made its way to the United States, according to the indictments. The domestic group headed up by Nahmad included high stakes poker games in New York City open to wealthy businessman, Wall Street bankers, and celebrities. The Times reported the Nahmad's art gallery was closed on Tuesday, with all the windows papered over and a sign hung that read, "We are closed for renovation, please ring the bell or call." Adding even more intrigue to the tale is a little backstory on Tokhtakhounov, who, according to the indictment against, him, has attained the highest level of the Russian Mafia, making him a "thief in law" - or in Russian a Vory V Zakone (sometimes shortened to Vor). Tokhtakhounov, a former athlete with ties to powerful figures in Russian business and politics, including links to Vladimir Putin, was indicted for attempting to fix the 2002  Winter Olympics held in Salt Lake City, Utah, specifically the pairs figure skating and ice dancer events. Tokhtakhounov was eventually arrested by Italian authorities on behalf of the United States, however he was never extradited to the United States to face the charges that he worked with Russian organized criminals to arrange a deal in which the Russians took home a gold medal in the pairs event in exchange for a win for the French ice dancers.

Comments

Leave a CommentCancel Reply
Placeholder Image Sign Up
Poker Player with Head on Table Angry after Bad Beat

Worst Bad Beat Poker Hands in WSOP History

WSOP cash money

Where to Play Cash Games at the WSOP

Hero Image for Strategic States

Strategic Thinking Across America: The 10 Smartest States Ranked

See All
Ian Pelz Winning the Gladiators Event

Pelz on Top After Gladiators of Poker Battle for Bracelet

Tag Team Winners 2025

Kerber and Patricio Take Tag Team Gold in Brazilian WSOP Classic

Jesse-Yaginuma-2025-WSOP-Millionaire-Maker-winner-photo

The WSOP Risks Brand-Suicide If It Fails To Payout The Millionaire Maker Champion And Runner-Up

See All
Legal Us Poker Sites
Browse Our Site
  • Poker Reviews
    • Ignition Review
    • Bovada Review
    • Everygame Review
    • BetOnline Review
    • Juicy Stakes Poker Review
    • Americas Cardroom Review
  • State Laws
    • Texas
    • Florida
    • California
    • Virginia
    • Washington
    • Ohio
  • Georgia
  • Illinois
  • Colorado
  • New York
  • Arizona
  • Massachusetts
  • Wisconsin
  • Contact Us
  • Responsible Gambling
  • About Us
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
You Are In Safe Hands
Our Recommended Poker Sites Have Been Verified by
18+ BeGambleAware MGA
Follow us:

© 2024 Hyperdrive Promotions UAB | All Rights Reserved. Trust in Your Bets, Gamble Responsibly.
For Visitors 18 Years and Older.

Hyperdrive Promotions UAB
Level 27, Wing On Centre, 111 Connaught Road Central
Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Tel:+1 (419) 601-6487