Michael V. Badalucco, accused last year of illegal involvement with sports betting has now pleaded guilty to the charges that were leveled at him. Badalucco had been accused of running a sports bookmaking business.

The 26 year old man admitted that he, as well as some others, gave bettors either access to a website, Best24b, or access to a toll-free number. Both forms of access were routed through Arizona, originating in Missouri, and went to a company that was located in Costa Rica.

By his own admission, Badalucco agreed that in February, 2009, he had called the company that was locted offshore, and cancelled a bet for one of his customers. In the telephone call, he identified himself as “George.”

The court records show that he collected cash from bettors, and also paid out winnings. This was done mostly on a weekly basis.

As part of the guilty plea, Badalucco gave up the right to have a grand jury review any evidence that the government had collected. He plead guilty immediately, and in return he has received immunity from having to be a witness in the prosecution of anyone else that may have been involved in the same illegal sports book business.

Although it is more likely that Badalucco will face between six months to a year in prison, it is possible for the court to sentence him for up to two years in prison.

Over the past six months, there have been around ten people who have been jailed for refusing to testify before a grand jury regarding information connected to illegal online gambling. At this time, none of those jailed have been charged with a related crime.