More details on major Canadian online gambling bust
News on 5 Feb 2013
News on 5 Feb 2013
Police spokesmen have further briefed the Canadian media on the major bust over the weekend of a Super Bowl party thrown by the Costa Rica-based online sports betting operator Platinum SB Hundreds of police officers, some heavily armed and clad in SWAT-style gear, stopped the party in a Toronto venue, making several arrests.
Police spokesmen subsequently claimed:
* With computer servers in Costa Rica, toll-free phone lines, a smartphone app for gamblers to bet on all major sporting events and kill-switches that could erase the firm’s records, Platinum Sportsbook was making about $1-million a month in profit.
* Six men have been charged with participating in a criminal organisation, conspiracy and gambling offences. Among the accused is William “Billy” Miller (49) of Toronto, a former chapter president of the Hells Angels.
* Also charged were: Martin Spruce (45); David Hair (44);Arno Thomsen (45); Andrew Bielli (48); and Shlomo Buchler(40).
* Police consider Miller, Hair and Spruce to be leaders of an enterprise that they claim was a lucrative marriage between theMafia and the Hells Angels.
* Investigators also raided nine homes and businesses, seizing about $2.5-million in cash. A large safe was taken away from a home in Vaughan, Toronto for police to inspect.
Acting Superintendent Keith Finn, in charge of the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, an anti-organised crime unit of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, did not mince his words when he briefed media reporters, saying:
“This was the largest investigation to date targeting illegal gaming and organized crimes participation in these criminal offences.
“Illegal gaming such as this lines the pockets of organized crime groups. Monies are utilized to fund … extortion, money laundering and loan sharking. Organized crime groups are using illegal gaming to purchase and traffic in drugs.”
The Super Bowl party broken up by police raiders last weekend was the eighth such ‘by invitation only’ event held, and attracted more than 2,700 customers, friends and associates of Platinum.
