After a recent suspension of services for customers located in the United States and a $47 million agreement with the feds, 5Dimes has finally announced a comeback to New Jersey by seeking a license to legalize its offshore sportsbook and casino.
Not long ago, the operator had urged all US-based players to withdraw their funds by September 25th, 2020 and “avoid any inconvenience,” as all access to the sportsbook was to be temporarily closed. However, the casino’s spokeperson in this matter, Russell, remained quite assuring at the time that after a few weeks, 5Dimes will be back on the market, allowing its loyal and regular customers to reopen their accounts once again.
The Great Comeback
It may be difficult to fathom, but it has been exactly two years since the disappearance of William Sean Creighton, the owner, known as 5Dimes Tony. His widow and legal business-owner, Laura Varela, added it’s been a year since the authorities identified Tony’s remains, following a “botched kidnapping,” a million-dollar Bitcoin ransom and 12 arrests in two countries.
“I feel as if I am living my life through someone else,” said Varela, a mother of two children.
Meanwhile, Varela had agreed to pay a $47 million settlement debt to the U.S. government, as FBI agents and federal prosecutors in Philadelphia exposed severe money-laundering and tax evasion of her husband and his Costa Rica-based, sports betting company.
“The Department of Justice understood. I felt their sympathy throughout this long process,” said Varela.
“I am very, very happy and very excited the agreement reflects the fact that I was never involved in any of the wrongdoing.”
As a result, Varela is now trying to get back millions of US players with the help of gambling-industry lawyers in Philadelphia and Washington. Their task, of course, is to legalize the controversial sports-betting company in New Jersey by applying for license with the DGE, the Division of Gaming Enforcement in the state. After registering, 5Dimes is planning to move into other states as well.
According to research, New Jersey has become an early leader in the US online sports-betting market alongside Pennsylvania, since Atlantic City casinos unfortunately lost a lot of visitors in the previous period.
There are approximately 18 registered online pro and college sports betting pool operators in New Jersey, whereby each has partnered with licensed casinos or racetracks. These competitors also include publicly-traded daily fantasy sports providers from New York, DraftKings and FanDuel.
Billions in Bets
Before the settlement, 5Dimes alone handled billions in bets each year, which could easily enlarge New Jersey’s industry gross. As stated by iGaming experts, New Jersey operators are also making records in legal internet sports bets this year, totaling $3 billion so far, earning the Garden State more than $200 million in taxes.
Even though 5Dimes was accused for use of Amazon gift accounts, false names and credit card processors to illegally pass winnings to US gamblers, the regretful operator wants to rejoin that list and make a comeback to its key market.
Varela retained the “core” of her husband’s 270 employees, who are still free under Costa Rica law to take bets from other countries. It remains to see whether New Jersey will approve the application in the upcoming period, as lawyers intensify the pursuit of license to once again help 5D jump to legal status.
“It’s a huge if,” said Michael Pollock, a former New Jersey Casino Control Commission spokesman.
Source:
“After founder’s murder and $47M pact with the feds, widow seeks to license offshore sports-betting giant in N.J.”, inquirer.com, October 28th, 2020.
r-ann.byrne
3 years ago
This is a good thing, I like this casino. I had an account there last your. And I'm happy that the lady did not get busted.
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BELLESDADDY
3 years ago
The thing I take from this story the most is how awesome 5 dimes Tony's wife is doing. Correcting his mistake and putting them on the right track to do things the right way and be a legitimate business. And all of this just a year after his remains were identified. It's been a huge story about all the arrest so she's been...
The thing I take from this story the most is how awesome 5 dimes Tony's wife is doing. Correcting his mistake and putting them on the right track to do things the right way and be a legitimate business. And all of this just a year after his remains were identified. It's been a huge story about all the arrest so she's been living with this seeing it all the time but still dealing with it and doing the right thing. The only thing that sucks is it's only going to be for New Jersey players just like all the other casinos there
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r-ann.byrne
3 years ago
I am happy , I totally won at their casino like 4 times in a 6 month period. That is a sad situation that occurred. I wonder though is it going to be only for New Jersey residents. If so that will not do. Anyway its good news to know they are trying to make it all better.
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Dzile
3 years ago
They continue to surprise us, after an unexpected decision to withdraw from the US market, they are back with a style
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Bixy
3 years ago
After a very strange decision to urge US players to withdraw their money soonest possible, nobody expected either their comeback or seeking a license these days. They seem to make an effort to establish a legit operation, hopefully a long-standing cooperation with players in a genuine way.
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barsalou6
3 years ago
Wow!! That shit is crazy!! I'm sure they the previous owner would have loved to do everything legit in the first place, but the US makes it so hard. He was only using illegal processors and such in order to make sure people who won were actually paid out! Can't be too mad at the man for attempting to run an honest operation...
Wow!! That shit is crazy!! I'm sure they the previous owner would have loved to do everything legit in the first place, but the US makes it so hard. He was only using illegal processors and such in order to make sure people who won were actually paid out! Can't be too mad at the man for attempting to run an honest operation you know what I mean. I loved the fact that they take every states pick 3 and pick 4 and pay double if you hit! Very sad situation but best wishes and hope to be able to deposit and play soon!
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Quincy
3 years ago
I'm in no way making light of is situation this is horrible and I hope everyone is OK that being said. Wow this story is incredible I really hate that this happened to them. I will so watch the movie TV show play the video game that comes from these events you can't make this stuff up I wish them the best of luck with...
I'm in no way making light of is situation this is horrible and I hope everyone is OK that being said. Wow this story is incredible I really hate that this happened to them. I will so watch the movie TV show play the video game that comes from these events you can't make this stuff up I wish them the best of luck with the gaming license.
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VlagreDis
3 years ago
So sorry they had to go through this hell, it’s tough running a casino and this is probably the finest example but I hope they’ll find the way and do things right this time. You can’t escape the long arm of the law and taxes in the States, and Costa Rica... well let’s just say they have their own ways of running things....
So sorry they had to go through this hell, it’s tough running a casino and this is probably the finest example but I hope they’ll find the way and do things right this time. You can’t escape the long arm of the law and taxes in the States, and Costa Rica... well let’s just say they have their own ways of running things. Glad to see 5Dimes is back!
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