MINEOLA, N.Y. — A professional poker player from Long Island has pleaded guilty to running a multimillion-dollar international gambling operation.

Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice said Anthony Argila pleaded guilty on Wednesday to several charges, including felony counts of promoting gambling.

Defense attorney Dennis Lemke said Argila pleaded guilty so that two friends who had worked for him could plead to lesser charges.

Argila will be sentenced Oct. 15 to five years probation instead of jail. Lemke said Argila had no prior criminal record and no ties to organized crime.

Two men employed by the ring also pleaded guilty on Wednesday to conspiracy changes. They both received conditional discharges and a $1,000 fine.