Yordan Dinov, the 39-year-old alleged illegal gambling boss who was shot dead in the very downtown of Sofia on Wednesday, received threats prior to his death, it has been reported.

In an interview for the Struma newspaper back in December 2011, Dinov stated he was pressured by criminals to quit his legal business and received threats.

"The threats would not have worked, since if one person quits, there is always someone else to start a legal business," he said.

Dinov was the manager of Sky Sport 365 – Bulgaria, a partner of Austrian sport betting company Planet Win 365. His business was concentrated mainly in his hometown of Blagoevgrad and Southwestern Bulgaria.

"Even if I quit, the Austrians I work with would send a foreigner to take care of their interests in Bulgaria," the businessman added in his December interview.

On Wednesday, Yordan Dinov was shot dead in Sofia. Police discovered a total of EUR 5 000 and BGN 32 000 in his possession.

In 2004, the man was investigated for developing an illegal football betting network. The betting network's server is said to have been installed in the Blagoevgrad-based American University in Bulgaria.