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One of online sports betting’s most legendary bookmakers, Spiros “The Greek” Athanas, has been released on $1 million bond according to court documents.
Athanas, one of 34 charged last Wednesday in connection to his alleged role in a multi-billion dollar sports betting ring, turned himself in two days later.
The indictment out of Oklahoma City alleges that Spiros had ownership in Panama-based Legends Sports. That well-established and highly regarded sportsbook, Legends Sports, had operatives working within the US to collect money and settle bets, according to the indictment.
“The Greek” is best known for running www.thegreek.com out of Montego Bay, Jamaica since 1996. That company stopped accepting US player two years ago.
Late last year an online sports betting software company, Extension Inc., was named in a complaint filed by the District Attorney’s Office in New York City. TheGreek.com was the first company to begin using Extension Inc. during the late 1990’s. Extension Inc. and TheGreek.com are credited with revolutionizing the online sports wagering landscape while the industry was still in its infancy.
Legends Sports has long had a reputation for working with local online gambling jurisdictions in both Costa Rica and Panama to develop a more regulated environment. They were the first (and only) book to pay for a gaming license in Costa Rica while still operating there back in 2002.
- Chris Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher
