5Dimes Owner Kidnapped

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on

Written by :

Jagajeet Chiba

Published on :

The owner of a popular San Jose, Costa Rica sportsbook has been kidnapped.


Start Your Own Sportsbook for as Little as $5 Per Customer

"Tony", whose real name we won't publish as Gambling911.com has a strict policy of protecting bookmaker identities who wish to operate under aliases, was last seen September 25.

A source close to Gambling911.com advised that the family paid a $750K ransom via Bitcoin and have yet to hear back.  Costa Rican authorities remain tight-lipped regarding the matter though Walter Espinoza, chief of the Judiciary Investigative Police (OIJ), confirmed today that OIJ has been investigating the disappearance of a US Expat.

“We have limited information and we cannot share many details because the life of a person is on the line”, explained Espinoza.

5Dimes ‘Tony’ Web Chat: ’A Phone Call From God Won’t Save You’

"Tony" was said to have been traveling through San Isidro, Heredia and driving a Porsche Cayenne Turbo vehicle.

This is the second high profile kidnapping in as many weeks.  The wife of a Chinese importer was kidnapped September 30 and released in one week's time after her captors were paid $17,500.  Six individuals tied to that kidnapping have since been apprehended by police.

In August, a poker pro survived being shot three times and left for dead along a busy San Jose street. Steven Thompson has since recovered and is in hiding.

"Tony", now 43, has resided in Costa Rica since 1998 after graduating from the University of West Virginia.  He took control of 5Dimes from sportsbook operator Al Ross after winning a significant amount of money betting sports.  His book would go on to become a major success and outlive Ross' other gambling properties.  Ross eventually became financially burdened with legal expenses defending his son Denny, who was accused of murdering a girl and stuffing her in his trunk. 

"Tony" is married to a Costa Rican with whom he has children.  He has a reputation on sports betting message boards for his sharp wit in dealing with customers. 

5Dimes continues to operate without interuption.  

Start Your Own Sportsbook Here

With the U.S. Supreme Court ruling to legalize sports betting across the nation this past May, it's never been a better time to get into this profitable industry.  Get two weeks free no commitment trying the PricePerPlayer Pay Per Head software out.  Check out the new PricePerPlayer.com website and learn about their LIVE IN-PLAY WAGERING, next generation software platform featuring a customized website, and affordable gambling solutions for all of your sports betting, horse racing live betting, and casino needs.

Related Content

How Long Does it Take to Set Up a Pay Per Head Sportsbook?

How Long Does it Take to Set Up a Pay Per Head Sportsbook?

Platforms like ProBookies say this can all be set up in under 5 minutes, though it is also based on how many customers you have as an agent or bookmaker.
How Many Players Do I Need to Use a Pay Per Head?

How Many Players Do I Need to Use a Pay Per Head?

You do not need a specific minimum number of players to get started with Pay Per Head services like Ace Per Head. You can actually start with ZERO players.
Best Pay Per Head Software This 2026 NFL Season

Best Pay Per Head Software This 2026 NFL Season

We might be a little bias. AcePerHead.com has been a Gambling911.com partner for well over a decade now and they'll be with us for the next year.
Texas A&M vs. LSU PPH Prop Bets

Texas A&M vs. LSU PPH Prop Bets

The Texas A&M–LSU betting action is strongly favoring LSU. The Tigers are coming in with a line of -8.5. They are taking 69% of spread bets and 70% of the spread handle, and as much as 86% of the money at AcePerHead.com.