By Wendy Anders

“A computer geek who ran a website for the massive Internet-based Platinum Sports Book was fined $400,000 for his involvement in the illegal gambling scheme,” wrote Sam Pazzano for The Toronto Sun last Tuesday.

The London, Ontario native, 59-year-old Gordon Baird, pleaded guilty to bookmaking and contributing to a criminal organization.

The organization, Platinum Sports Book, seems to have included some high-ranking members of the London Hells Angels, reported The Sun.

An audit shows that the Platinum Sports Book grossed over $103 million while operating intermittently from 2009-2013. These operations were done on computers based in Costa Rica.

The sports book operated using a sophisticated, highly organized hierarchy involving “cells consisting of bookies and sub-agents who dealt directly with bettors,” reported The Sun.

Platinum’s higher ranks were responsible for the accounting and debt collection, including using threats of violence to collect money owed when necessary.

“Baird, who had no prior record and a good working history, was handed an 18-month conditional, stay-at-home sentence and 12 months probation,” said The Sun.

He has already paid $50,000 of his $400,000 fine, and has a year to pay the rest or else be imprisoned for three years, said Justice John McMahon to The Sun.

“Platinum Sports Book employed hundreds of bookies who served thousands of bettors within the GTA with computers run out of Costa Rica,” said Crown attorney Matthew Bloch to The Sun.

Baird administered the website in Costa Rica, said Bloch.

Platinum hosted a huge Super Bowl party in 2013 with up to 3,000 guests that cost more than $100,000 in Canada, said the Sun.

“Officers from Canada’s organized crime section spoiled the February 2013 bash by busting 31 people — including several former Hells Angels London chapter members — and seizing $4.6 million,” reported The Sun.

“These parties were by invitation only and were designed as a customer appreciation event,” said Bloch to The Sun.

According to The Sun, the websites were shut down after the busts. But the very next day, police learned through interceptions that Baird had set up a new website called called www.platinumsb.tk, reported The Sun.