Man pleads guilty to $100 million illegal sports book operation

The Platinum Sports Book trial where Gordon Baird the administrator of the illegal sports book has pleaded guilty to charges of bookmaking in his participation in a criminal organization in a Toronto court that involved the Mafia and sections of the Hells Angels.

Over the past few years investigators believe over $100 million was wagered on the Platinum sports book that had its servers in Costa Rica and even had its own Smartphone App for gamblers to place bets.

Annual parties were thrown for Super Day costing over $100,000 for the VIP Gamblers to enjoy with prizes including motorcycles among other expensive gifts. Investogators say the set up of the sports book was technically savvy and police wiretaps, saying that Platinum employed hundreds of bookies servicing thousands of clients within the Toronto area. The bookies signed up their own clients, collected their debts and paid out their winnings on a weekly basis. The money flowed up the pyramid, court heard, with the top acting as “the bank.”

In a four year period from 2009 to 2013 betting record show the illegal sport book made over $103 million, however the police have only recovered $4.6 million so far.

Baird having no criminal record and pleading guilty before trial, Judge John McMahon accepted a joint submission for an 18-month conditional sentence (to be served in Baird’s home) and a $400,000 fine. Baird handed over a cashier’s cheque for $50,000 and was given a year to pay the remainder.

If he defaults, McMahon warned him, he would be sentenced to three years in prison.

“He was not a controlling mind of the criminal organization but through his actions he contributed to the criminal organization,” McMahon said.

“This was an extremely well-organized, professional criminal organization making millions of dollars,” said McMahon. “It could not have functioned without his technical expertise.”

In another courtroom in the same Toronto courthouse, two co-accused in the case — Rob Barletta and Andrew Bielli, both linked to the Hells Angels with Barletta named as a former president of the London, Ont., chapter — pleaded not guilty to charges, including bookmaking for the benefit of a criminal organization and possession of the proceeds of crime.

Immediately after his case adjourned, Barletta walked over to Baird’s proceedings to watch the plea.

Barletta, Bielli and several other accused still face trial.

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