Briefing the Canadian media on the major bust over the weekend of a Super Bowl party organised by online sports betting operator Platinum SB, police spokesmen subsequently claimed several facts:
First and foremost, Platinum Sportsbook was making about $1-million a month in profit thanks to 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.
Next, six men including William “Billy” Miller (49) of Toronto, a former chapter president of the Hells Angels, have been charged with participating in a criminal organisation, conspiracy and gambling offences.
Also charged were: Martin Spruce (45); David Hair (44); Arno Thomsen (45); Andrew Bielli (48); and Shlomo Buchler (40), while police consider Miller, Hair and Spruce to be leaders of an enterprise that was a profitable marriage between the Mafia and the Hells Angels.
Finally, after raiding nine homes and businesses police seized about $2.5-million in cash, and a large safe was taken away from a home in Vaughan, Toronto, for further inspection.
As Keith Finn, acting superintendent in charge of the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, an anti-organised crime unit of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, said: “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 Platinum Super Bowl party, broken up by police last weekend, attracted more than 2,700 customers, friends and associates. According to police sources, it was the eighth such 'by invitation only' event held.
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