A man from Southfield, Michigan is currently facing multiple felony charges for exploiting a vulnerability in Caesars Sportsbook that allowed him to place over $88 million in bets in just over two weeks. Jeffrey Sacco, 38, allegedly made over $2 million in fake deposits into the sportsbook in April 2023. Over the course of 16 days, Sacco placed nearly 10,000 bets with an average of $8,800 per bet. After his betting spree, he transferred over $521,000 into his personal bank account before abandoning the sportsbook’s app. Sacco is set to have a preliminary examination hearing at the 86th District Court in Traverse City on October 4.
The Traverse City court judge has charged Sacco with eight counts, including larceny by conversion, three counts of felony gambling activity, and four charges of using a computer to commit a crime. The larceny charge carries a maximum 10-year jail sentence, as do each of the felony gambling charges. The computer charges carry a maximum 20-year prison term. Caesars Sportsbook notified the Michigan Gaming Control Board about Sacco’s fraudulent activities with his mobile betting account, leading to his arrest on September 4.
Both the MGCB and the Michigan Attorney General’s Office have commended each other for their collaboration in bringing Sacco to justice. MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams emphasized the importance of enforcing gambling laws and regulations, while Michigan AG Dana Nessel highlighted their joint efforts to prosecute criminals who exploit legitimate gaming venues. Sacco’s case serves as a reminder of the serious consequences individuals face when attempting to manipulate the system for personal gain.