Costa Rica authorities investigating the the disappearance of a sports book owner well-known to bettors here in the U.S. found his body Saturday, the Costa Rica Star reported.
William Sean Creighton, better known as “Tony,” had owned the 5Dimes sports book based in Costa Rica for almost 18 years
Creighton’s disappearance came to light last Tuesday when Costa Rican police chief Walter Espinoza confirmed the investigation. Creighton, a 43-year-old U.S. expat, hadn’t been seen since the evening of Sept. 24.
At the time, Espinoza wouldn’t confirm reports that Creighton’s family had paid a $1 million kidnapping ransom or that the family had waited to alert authorities.
“[The police] has not received nor has it known that a reward is required," Espinoza said.
Creighton was taking a co-worker home late on the night he disappeared. His abandoned Porsche Cayenne was later found along the side of a road.
Creighton and his wife have been targets of U.S. investigations because of 5Dimes’ sports betting activities. In 2016, an investigation by the Department of Homeland Security concluded that 5Dimes devised a mechanism to collect from and reward gamblers living in the United States with Amazon gift cards.
“Many in the mainstream world will scoff, but he is/was a good guy,” a source who knew Creighton well through the sports betting business told VSiN last week.
5Dimes acknowledged Creighton’s disappearance on Wednesday with an announcement on Twitter.
"Despite recent news, 5Dimes Group board of directors and its over 300 employees would like to reassure its clientele the fundamentals of 5Dimes Group operating model remain unchanged.
We continue striving to deliver the best gambling experience to our customers, always aiming to innovate in the industry with more and better betting options to choose from.
Our thoughts and prayers join the rest of the online gambling industry for Tony’s safe return to his family."
-5Dimes Management
Earlier in his bookmaking career, Creighton gave an interview to Sportsbook Review, which described his entry into the business:
Having excelled as a player and after beating what used to be one of the biggest bookmaking groups in the late 90s, he was offered the opportunity to open his own operation, the site reported.
Tony told SBR, "I live for gaming. People often ask if I’ll ever retire or even take a day off. The answer is “no”. When you love something, it is not a job anymore."
