Giuseppe "Little Joe" Manzi, already free on pretrial release in a 22-defendant federal gambling case, now faces five state felony charges in Rhode Island tied to alleged misuse of more than 100 Bally's rewards accounts. Investigators say he inserted about $630,000 into high-stakes slot machines and collected $1,156,105 over 116 days. Manzi posted a $15,000 bond in the state case and was released while charges are pending; the new indictment has prompted a federal judge to reconsider his pretrial status.
He Won $1.16M at a Casino — New State Felony Charges Could Jeopardize His Pretrial Release
Image Credit: U.S. Marshals Service/FBI.
Giuseppe "Little Joe" Manzi, 51, a Massachusetts resident already free on pretrial release in a federal gambling case, now faces a separate set of state felony charges in Rhode Island that could threaten his liberty before trial.
Rhode Island prosecutors say Manzi and five alleged co-conspirators used more than 100 Bally's rewards accounts registered to names that were not their own while playing high-stakes slot machines at Bally's Lincoln. Investigators say that over a 116-day span Manzi put roughly $630,000 into machines and collected $1,156,105 in payouts. A casino official described his streak of consistent wins as "statistically improbable" without manipulation or an exploitable advantage.
The Rhode Island indictment lists five felony counts against Manzi: money laundering; obtaining money or property under false pretenses; using a computer to commit fraud; cheating at casino gambling; and conspiracy. Court records show Manzi posted a $15,000 bond in the state matter and was released while those charges remain pending. The new state case prompted a federal judge in Indiana to reconsider whether Manzi should remain on pretrial release in the separate federal prosecution.
Separately, a federal grand jury in Indiana previously indicted Manzi as one of 22 defendants in a probe called Operation Porterhouse Parlay. That 28-count federal indictment alleges an illegal gambling organization operated in Northwest Indiana and elsewhere from January 2021 through April 2026, taking wagers online and in person at local restaurants and allegedly laundering proceeds and using threats to collect debts. All 22 defendants pleaded not guilty in May. In the federal matter, Manzi's pretrial release included travel restrictions and a prohibition on entering casinos and other gambling venues.
Defense attorneys in the state case dispute the cheating allegations, saying the players identified and exploited an advantage in the casino's rewards system while remaining within the rules of the games. Rhode Island authorities have not publicly released a transaction-by-transaction accounting that explains how the state alleges the casino payouts support the money-laundering charge.
What To Watch: The federal judge's review of Manzi's pretrial status and any upcoming state proceedings could determine whether he remains free before either trial. Further disclosures from Rhode Island investigators or casino records may clarify the scope of the alleged scheme.
Practical Guidance: Casino loyalty and rewards accounts should never be shared, sold or opened for another person. Use unique passwords, enable additional account security when available, regularly review account activity and preserve emails, statements and reward cards if you suspect misuse. Report suspected identity misuse to the casino's security or fraud unit and to IdentityTheft.gov, and report criminal conduct to the appropriate state gaming regulator or law enforcement agency.
Help us improve.
