Canada Busts Illegal Gambling Operation That Brought In $131M In Five Years

The Canadian gambling industry has faced a lot of scrutiny in recent years because there have been multiple allegations that money launderers have targeted multiple casinos in the country in an attempt to wash their dirty money. 

Investigations have shown that some of Canada’s top casinos have failed to properly comply with gaming regulations and anti-money laundering laws. These breaches have allowed money launderers in recent years to use certain casinos on multiple occasions to launder money. 

The gambling market in Canada has once again been tarnished as the authorities have busted a major illegal gambling operation and made 28 arrests so far.

Canadian authorities launched a massive operation to take down a major criminal operation which included the arrest of 3 members of the Hells Angels gang. This criminal syndicate had their hands in a number of illegal activities which included running an illegal gambling operation for over 5 years and bringing in more than $131 million during this period of time.

Operation Hobart, was a two year investigation that looked at a number of well-known criminals including a UK national who had strong times to a Mafia family. The operation resulted in the seizure of houses, guns, cars and lots of cash. Canadian police had to work together with the London police to share information and take down the gang.

Illegal Gambling Operation Busted

The authorities learned that the gang ran 5 illegal online casinos which brought in over $131 million in the last five years. The illegal gambling operation brought in $13 million during the first 6 months of 2019.  Platinum Sportsbook was one of the main betting sites operated by the gang and generated $103 million between 2009 and 2013.

The authorities went on to seize $1.7 million in cash, gold bars, coins and silver coins amounting to $320,000; jewellery and luxury watches valued at $303,000, vintage and luxury cards, 3 Harley Davidson motorcycles and 2 vacation houses estimated to be around $8.1 million. There were also 7 residences that were seized during the operation.

A number of these gang members were seasoned criminals. Police also uncovered 6 rifles, 9 illegal handguns and 3 shotguns. The 28 people arrested in Operation Hobart were slapped with a combined total of 228 charges.

Canadian authorities said that this major illegal gambling bust will send a strong message to the rest of the illegal gambling market as the authorities will continue their crackdown.