Wvc Hockey Stars Win All-state Honors

Anna Sereta 
Dec. 9, 1994 
Anna E. Sereta, 81, Of Peace Street, Hazleton, Died Friday Morning At 
Hazleton-st. Joseph Medical Center.

Sunday, December 11, 1994 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 3A 





Don't bet on justice &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Back in April, lots of cops raided lots of places where lots of local
bookies plied their tradeAs a result, the illegal gambling fraternity went
wild. Betting became difficult. That doesn't happen often. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "You can't place a bet," said one wagering whiner, who might have been
exaggerating but not by much. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 For a while, the real action took a hiatus. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Fear was the wild card. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Although bookies are suppposedly stand-up guys, they're not widely known
for courage. So they laid low, waiting for whatever prosecution that might
follow. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Charges never came. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Normally, Northeastern Pennsylvania is a wonderful place for sports
betting. Few, if any, impediments interfere with laying out money on favorite
teams with favorite bookies. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Even Atlantic City casinos -- supposedly known for their strict rules
governing employees -- don't seem to care that their representatives regularly
show up at clambakes frequented by illegal bookmakers. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The New Jersey Casino Control Commission also could care less. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I know this because I called the casinos and the commission to ask about
casino employees hanging out with bookies. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Despite the heat, the big boy bookies remained convinced of their immunity.
Not only that, but they also reassured their customers. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Slowly but surely, things opened up once again. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Nobody can conquer the kingdom of the wager. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Especially not in Wilkes-Barre. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 That's true, though, because nobody has ever really tried. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Community standards ordain most bookmakers as nice people. The big lay-off
men are some of the most solid pillars of this community. Running charity
events, they smile as they dangle grandchildren on their knees. You see them
in sports bars, at high school football games and in church. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Their clients are also well-respected men -- including lawyers and cops. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I say "men" because this is a mostly male enterprise. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I don't know of one female bookie, although I realize that some women bet
regularly. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 till, sports betting is a man's world. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 And everybody loves their friendly neighborhood sports book. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Illegal gambling is supposedly a victimless crime. But it's not. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Only rarely do police do anything about what could be Northeastern
Pennsylvania's most lucrative business. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 That's why people panicked when the feds started rolling through houses and
even raided a state office building. A Wilkes-Barre man well-known for his bet
taking works there as a state employee. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Then it was over as quickly as it began. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Seven months have passed without an arrest. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 On Sunday, though, the feds raided a Pittston pool hall, supposedly part of
the continuing gambling probe. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 And, this Tuesday, a federal grand jury in Scranton is scheduled to hear
testimony from as many as 25 people who have received subpoenas related to
that widely rumored massive gambling probe that could send some well-respected
people to the can. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Maybe. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Maybe not. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Seasoned bettors believe that illegal gambling will always operate with
impunity in this region. The hooks are in too deeply for anything to change,
they say. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In a world where bookies always win, it's time for these pigs to lose. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Big-time local bookies are bad people who do bad things. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Prevailing tax-free off the sickness of compulsive gamblers, they live
above the law. These swine then get upset when anyone questions their
behavior. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 These men should pay for their crimes. If law and order means anything,
they will. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I hope Tuesday's grand jury is only the beginning. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I hope somebody goes to prison. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 It's really our only hope for progress in an area historically ruled by
people who did as they pleased only because nobody stopped them. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Steve Corbett's column appears Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Don't Bet On Justice Back In April, Lots Of Cops Raided Lots Of Places Where Lots Of Local Bookies Plied Their Trade.