5Dimes owner missing, sportsbook still operating strong



The reports of kidnapping are true and despite paying a ransom, Tony is still missing.

Reports surfaced this week out of Costa Rica regarding one of the more well known sportsbook operators. On Tuesday, local tabloid paper Dairio Extra published a report that a businessman from San Jose known as ‘Tony’ was kidnapped on September 24th on his way home from work. The paper claims that he was accosted by five or more individuals when a motorcycle, luxury SUV and taxi forced his Porsche Cayenne Turbo off of the road. Much to the horror of the online gambling industry, the man involved in the incident is Tony from 5Dimes.

Tony started 5Dimes nearly two decades ago with Al Ross, who was a well-known sportsbook figure during the dawn of what is today's offshore gambling industry. Tony eventually wrestled control of the sportsbook away from Ross and built it into one of the giants in the online gambling world. 5Dimes got to the top of the heap by delivering early, sharp lines, paying customers on time and offering high limits and reduced juice.

According to reports, Tony’s family was ordered to pay a $750,000 ransom in Bitcoin for his return. The funds were allegedly paid and yet the 5Dimes head man is still missing.

5Dimes owner kidnappedImmediately, popular gambling forums, websites and Twitter were ablaze with speculation and claims of the book ‘going down in flames’. However, some clearer heads have chimed in and noted that no one even knew about Tony’s abduction for nearly three weeks. No payouts have been missed, no reports of shenanigans at the book or any problems at all have been reported.

For starters, yes Tony was the face of 5Dimes. But to think that he alone ran and grew the 5Dimes operation into what it is today is ludicrous. Tony was certainly not running the business by himself. He has had people in place for years who do most of the heavy lifting in running the day-to-day operations.

Also, players should keep in mind, 5Dimes is no small potatoes. People who are claiming the sky is falling and calling for players to take out all of their funds from the book are again misguided. Just like Apple continued when Steve Jobs passed away, 5Dimes can operate at full capacity without Tony. A huge operation and successful money-making gambling operation, like 5Dimes, can certainly run without the head man at the helm and continue to pay players in a timely fashion. In fact, one player told us that he got his fastest Bitcoin payout ever from 5Dimes this week. Another player told us it was ‘business as usual’ when he requested a check on Monday, the day before the report of the kidnapping surfaced.

5Dimes provided OSGA with the following statement:

“Despite recent news, 5Dimes Group board of directors and its over 300 employees would like to reassure its clientele the fundamentals of 5Dimes Group operating model remains unchanged.

We continue striving to deliver the best gambling experience to our customers, always aiming to innovate in the industry with more and better betting options to choose from.

Our thoughts and prayers join the rest of the online gambling industry for Tony’s safe return to his family."

At this time, there are zero issues with playing at 5Dimes.eu and keeping funds in an account there. We urge players to urge some restraint and instead of spreading rumors and spewing vitriol about of the most colorful operators online, to hope and pray for Tony’s safe return. We are.

As this situation is still evolving, check back here at OSGA for factual updates regarding 5Dimes and Tony’s disappearance.


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