BETONSPORTS LATEST - TIMES ONLINE POINTS TO PAST LINKS WITH NEW YORK CRIME

(204) (31-jul-06)

Safe Deposits Sports was a close neighbour, says Brit newspaper

The Times Online published some interesting historical links this week, alleging that the embattled betting group BetonSports once shared the same address, technical support and solicitor as a company linked to New York's notorious Bonanno crime family.

The company, Safe Deposit Sports (SDS), was part of an illegal gambling ring that netted millions for the Bonannos, one of New York's five Mafia families, according to US prosecutors. SDS shared an address, technical support and a solicitor based in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, with the British firm.

The Times reports that SDS was based in Costa Rica, home of Betonsports' fugitive founder, Gary Kaplan , and says that gambling sources believe the US authorities' investigations into SDS and other companies using Costa Rican-based firms to circumvent US laws may have triggered the prosecution of Betonsports.

In May 2005 36 people linked to SDS were indicted by the US authorities, charged with running an illegal gambling operation that netted $360 million (GBP 193 million) over more than two years.

The indictment said Bonanno acting boss Anthony Urso , also known as Tony Green, allegedly received an unspecified monthly "tribute" from the gambling ring for protection. Urso ran one of the most notorious crime gangs in America. In September last year he received a 20-year jail sentence for murder and racketeering.

Much of the money collected by SDS went through Costa Rica, home to a large number of online betting groups that target America, where online sports betting is largely illegal.

Betonsports is quoted in London, but has its operations in Costa Rica.

Ties between the two companies apparently ended when Betonsports floated on the London Stock Exchange in June 2004.

The Times goes on to reveal that on November 15, 2003 the manager of SDS, a man calling himself Barry Clark , set out his relationship with Betonsports in an online-gambling forum, Offshore Gamblers Digest. Gamblers and potential clients had been discussing links between the two companies. One gambler said he had sent money to SDS and received a confirmation e-mail from Jaguar Sports. This was the name of one of the firms associated with Betonsports mentioned in this month's indictment.

Asked by a potential client what his company's relationship with Betonsports was, Clark wrote: "As I have stated before, BOS and my companies are independently owned.

Along with space here at The Mall I get the benefit of tech support from BOS. Also, they maintain my internet capabilities, along with my website."

Both Betonsports and SDS have used the same solicitor, Leamington-based Ian Burr & Co . According to internet domain-name searches, Burr was described as "administrative contact" and "technical contact" for the sites.

Burr is the contact for Domain Choices, the company that registers Betonsports' website. Domain Choices was the registrar for SDS in 2003.

Burr said he had no recollection of ever dealing with anyone from SDS and was unaware the company had used his name or address as its registered office. "I can't explain it," he said. He said about 10 companies used his address as a legal office, including Betonsports. "I wish I'd never agreed to it," he said.

A Betonsports spokesman said current management had no knowledge of SDS. "There is no relationship between Betonsports and this company in our current situation or since going public."

The sportsbook-oriented publication Gambling911 gave another explanation, commenting: "....BetonSports has hosted numerous wagering operations on its premises without any connection other than a "leasing" arrangement," and gave examples. 

Victor Chandler , head of the sports-betting company based in Gibraltar, has in recent weeks shelved plans to launch in America following the arrest of David Carruthers .