New Scourge for BetonSports as Possible Mafia Link Uncovered
Dublin based company continues to accept US wagers despite legislation issues
Monday 31st July 2006
It has been reported that under fire online bookmaker 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 amassed a fortune 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.
SDS was based in Costa Rica, home of BetonSports’ fugitive founder, Gary Kaplan. 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.
BetonSports is quoted in London, but has its operations in Costa Rica. David Carruthers, chief executive of the British company, was arrested by the FBI earlier this month, and was sacked last week, whilst Kaplan faces extradition from Costa Rica and is now wanted by the FBI.
Ties between the two companies appear to have ended when BetonSports floated on the London Stock Exchange in June 2004.
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.”
