Peter Nylander, chief executive at Unibet, has been detained while boarding a flight in Holland under an arrest warrant issued by the French authorities.
In a statement, Unibet has said the arrest pertained to proceedings filed in 2006 by the French gaming monopolies Francaise des Jeux (FDJ) and the PMU. The charges relate to breaches of laws dating back to 1836 and 1891.
The company said it is “outraged by France’s total disregard of European Community law aiming to protect a domestic commercial gambling monopoly, which is being challenged by the European Commission”.
The company added that though it was aware of the possibility of action being taken it was still "surprised” by the move.
“In March 2007, the European Court of Justice ruled in the Placanica case, confirming that betting services are covered by the EU Treaty. The court also confirmed that criminal proceedings brought against legitimate operators based in other EU member states are in contradiction with the EU Treaty.
The company adds that on 27 June, the EU Commission issued a reasoned opinion against France, in relation with the infringement proceedings concerning France's restrictions on sports betting. Furthermore, on 10 July, the highest jurisdiction in France (Cour de cassation) overturned a decision that banned a Maltese company from offering online betting on horse races in France. Finally, the French government has stated its will to open a discussion with the European Commission towards a regulated opening of the French online gaming market.
Unibet’s chief financial officer and deputy chief executive Ragnar Hellenius has been appointed by the board of Unibet as acting chief executive until Nylander is released. He commented: “This situation is clearly unacceptable and extraordinary in ours and in any industry. It is our view that this use of the possibility for cross-border legal actions is a clear abuse of their true aim, and in all aspects, disproportionate. Unibet is licensed in the UK, Malta and Italy for gambling, listed on the OMX Nordic Stock Exchange and a company complying with European law. This is clearly a breach of the EU Treaty and the fundamental principles of the European Union.
Hellenius concluded: “We are upset of this unlawful act and harassment against our company and a citizen of Europe and we will take every action possible to bring this matter to justice. This criminalisation of a specific individual is a tactic that we have seen French authorities using before and something we will not tolerate. We take for granted that Petter Nylander will be released immediately.”
http://www.egrmagazine.com/item/2208
October 23, 2007
October 22, 2007
NBA disciplines 6 referees for gambling offences
The National Basketball Association has punished six referees for minor gambling offences, according to a report in the New York Daily News.
Citing sources, the newspaper reported Sunday that the six unnamed officials were punished for infractions such as visiting casinos, and that their cases are not related to the Tim Donaghy betting scandal.
"Nobody's getting suspended. They were reprimanded and punished, but nobody lost their job," a source was quoted as saying.
In September, Donaghy forfeited $30,000 US in restitution to the government under his plea deal, according to court records.
The veteran referee pleaded guilty in a Brooklyn, N.Y., court to felony charges for taking cash payoffs from gamblers and betting on games he officiated. He was released on $250,000 bond and is set to be sentenced Nov. 9.
Court papers say Donaghy, 40, started placing bets on NBA games in 2003. He then gave gamblers inside information, including tips on which crews would officiate games and how the various officials and players interacted.
He faces a maximum of 25 years in prison for conspiracy to engage in wire fraud and transmitting betting information through interstate commerce. He also must pay a $500,000 fine in addition to the restitution already paid.
Citing sources, the newspaper reported Sunday that the six unnamed officials were punished for infractions such as visiting casinos, and that their cases are not related to the Tim Donaghy betting scandal.
"Nobody's getting suspended. They were reprimanded and punished, but nobody lost their job," a source was quoted as saying.
In September, Donaghy forfeited $30,000 US in restitution to the government under his plea deal, according to court records.
The veteran referee pleaded guilty in a Brooklyn, N.Y., court to felony charges for taking cash payoffs from gamblers and betting on games he officiated. He was released on $250,000 bond and is set to be sentenced Nov. 9.
Court papers say Donaghy, 40, started placing bets on NBA games in 2003. He then gave gamblers inside information, including tips on which crews would officiate games and how the various officials and players interacted.
He faces a maximum of 25 years in prison for conspiracy to engage in wire fraud and transmitting betting information through interstate commerce. He also must pay a $500,000 fine in addition to the restitution already paid.
October 19, 2007
Sportingbet Announces Annual Profit Loss
Online gambling company Sportingbet PLC reported an annual loss on Wednesday but said its other operations were doing well and it expected to grow in Europe.
Sportingbet was forced to quit the US after lawmakers effectively made its business illegal and has stated a loss of $637.5 million for the past financial year after posting a profit of $141 million the year before.
It announced that revenue fell 36 percent to $2.69 billion from $4.19 billion after it lost over 75 percent of its business when US legislators outlawed credit card-based online gambling in October of last year.
The Alderney-licensed company stated that was pleased with results from its continuing operations with turnover from remaining operations up 23.3 percent at to $2.2 billion compared with $1.81 billion for the same period last year.
'Given the enormity of the change and restructuring that has taken place at Sportingbet, I am pleased to report a strong increase in gross win in the continuing business and especially pleased with the growth in our core European sports betting business of 48 percent,' said Andrew McIver, Chief Executive for Sportingbet.
Sportingbet, like many of its rivals, pulled out of the US and sold its operations cheaply after the White House outlawed the industry. It sold its American operations, comprising a US-facing sportsbetting and casino business and a poker operation to Antigua-based Jazette Enterprises Ltd in October, and offloaded $13.2 million of debt. Its operations now consist of a European sports, casino and poker business, an Australian sports business and the non-US Paradise Poker business.
http://www.igamingbusiness.com/article-detail.php?articleID=15009
ITV faces £70m phone scandal fine
The results of the investigation carried out by accountants Deloitte into the premium-rate phone-line scandal at ITV could lead to fines of up to £70m (US$140m) for the UK broadcaster and possible criminal investigations if regulator Ofcom decides to pass the case on to Scotland Yard.
Only parts of the Deloitte report were made public by ITV yesterday but the headline figures will make uneasy reading for the interactive TV sector. Viewers spent £8m on phone calls to ITV competitions they thought they were influencing. The full cost of the scandal could rise to £18m.
ITV chief executive Michael Grade said no senior ITV executives would lose their jobs over the scandal because running the investigation on the basis of finding someone to sack “would not have produced a full and frank” picture. When questioned about possible criminal charges of fraud for those involved in the deception, Grade insisted that their motives were not to increase revenues but to produce better television shows. He then pledged a ‘zero tolerance’ policy on any future transgression and praised his company for its openness in the matter.
The investigation found serious “editorial issues” going as far back as 2005 with flagship ITV shows such as Saturday Night Takeaway, X-Factor and Soapstar Superstar. Some of the charges include the producers manufacturing the results of viewer phone-ins by disregarding voter requests and picking songs they thought would be more suitable for contestants to sing or picking winners of cash competitions only if they lived within an hour of where the production team happened to be.
888 launches Italian sportsbook
Casino and poker operator 888 has launched its first dedicated licensed sportsbook offering in Italy, according to a statement to the London Stock Exchange this morning.
The Italian website (888.it) has been launched in conjunction with Italian market specialist Cogetech, and is 888’s first foray into the market since it gained a license in October last year from the Italian regulator.
The website is restricted to sports-betting (though not horse-racing for the time being) and skill games, though further products may be added should the Italian regulator allow it.
Gigi Levy, chief executive at 888, said: “This is a milestone in the progression of 888’s diversified, multi-channel strategy to grow our customer reach and appeal globally.”
Levy added that the Italian sports-betting market is “growing strongly”.
It is believed that 888 will be entering into a white-label deal with Blue Square in the coming months as it endeavours to further its reach in the sports-betting market elsewhere in Europe. Levy is on record as saying the company should be moving towards a full-service offering for its customers.
Absolute engulfed in cheating scandal
Allegations of a cheating scandal have engulfed Absolute Poker after it emerged that the Kahnawake Gaming Commission has asked testing and certification company Gaming Associates to carry out an audit of Absolute’s activities for the period in question.
A spokesperson at Gaming Associates would not comment further on the matter only to confirm that it would be auditing Absolute Poker.
Whispers of a possible cheating scam had been circulating on poker messageboards for the past couple of weeks. Footage is available on YouTube of the alleged scam (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FczbS7FiWSM).
Players on Absolute Poker had voiced suspicions of one particular player on the site whose unpredictable style of play had allegedly enabled him to win large amounts.
More importantly, according to some posters on the forums, the player seemed to know what his opposing players’ hole cards are and never made a wrong move.
Rumours of a ‘super-user account’ that has the ability to view opponents’ hole cards began to appear on poker blogs and forums. According to the threads, when Absolute customers requested their hand histories to analyse the patterns of play, they were in fact sent highly sensitive information containing the email and IP addresses of the people playing and observing the games in question. The players then claim to have traced one player’s IP address back to an Absolute Poker domain. Rumours persist that the player is connected is some way with the management of the firm though there has been no confirmation of this.
Absolute Poker has denied any wrongdoing so far but has agreed to cooperate in any investigation about the matter.
October 17, 2007
Affiliates Say Intertops.com has the Fastest Paying Affiliate Program
October 16, 2007 (St. John’s, Antigua) – 'The First' online betting site is the first to pay its affiliates according to a report in the October issue of CAP Magazine. The world’s leading publication for gambling affiliates has listed Intertops.com as the fastest paying casino affiliate program. The magazine, published by CasinoAffiliatePrograms.com, reports that a webmaster poll showed 'getting paid quickly and reliably' is affiliates' number one criteria for judging affiliate programs. The same story reported that Intertops paid their affiliates faster than nineteen other programs mentioned.
'This recognition from CAP Magazine shows that 'Trust the First' isn’t just a slogan, but something we really mean,' said Michl Posch of Intertops.com.
Back in 1996, Intertops was the first sportsbook ever to offer online betting. It wasn’t long before they offered online casino games and online poker as well. The Intertops affiliate partner program has been renowned in the industry since 1999 and established its reputation for quick payment from the beginning. The program pays lifetime commission for all products that are offered by Intertops.com: sportsbook, casino, poker and games.
'Intertops sets the bar very high,' said Posch. 'In a business where partners rarely meet, trust is a key to success. We’re happy about the outstanding reputation that Intertops has earned among affiliates.'
In January, Casino Affiliate Programs will again recognize leaders in the online gambling business when they present the 'Cappy Awards' at a glamorous awards night during January’s CAP Euro conference in London. Intertops has been nominated by affiliates in the 'Best Sportsbetting Affiliate Program' category. Webmasters can vote for Intertops at www.capawards.com.
'The nomination of Intertops for Sports Betting Affiliate Program of the Year and being named the fastest paying program in this issue of CAP Magazine comes as no surprise. These guys are great,' said Lou Fabiano, founder of Casino Affiliate Programs. 'Affiliates love cash flow and fast payments as they allow them to buy more domains, build more sites and run more ads. This means more players and more income each month! Hats off to Intertops for helping affiliates to maximize their revenues.'
The CAP Magazine article '10 Things Webmasters Want' is available here: www.lyceummedia.com/intertops/capmag-oct07.pdf
October 11, 2007
Mansion live on Ongame
Gibraltar-based operator Mansion went live on the Ongame network last night. Mansion had been expected to join a poker network for some time and with Playtech already providing it with its casino games, it was expected to join the company’s iPoker network.
Guy Gussarsky, chief executive of Mansion, said: “We chose Ongame as one of the most tried and trusted platforms online and for their superior poker software, but an equally important deal-maker has been their ability to enhance our business rather than consume it.”
With its casino and poker products now being supplied by two different providers, a source close to Mansion said the integration of all the products would require some extra work but would not bring substantial problems. Asked why it had chosen Ongame over Playtech, they said: “The intention of the company is to provide its services with the best poker and casino products and Ongame have been experts in online poker from the start while Playtech have been experts at casino games.”
Since launch, Mansion has struggled to build the liquidity needed to operate its own poker platform and has already closed down its sportsbook with rumours of its betting exchange due to close in near future.
Asked what they would do differently to attract enough players to build up liquidity levels now that they were part of a network, they said: “We will maintain our guaranteed tournament series and also offer all the network promotions. We will also continue to raise our brand awareness levels through our continued sponsorship of Tottenham Hotspur and other marketing activities.”
http://www.egrmagazine.com/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=2183
Guy Gussarsky, chief executive of Mansion, said: “We chose Ongame as one of the most tried and trusted platforms online and for their superior poker software, but an equally important deal-maker has been their ability to enhance our business rather than consume it.”
With its casino and poker products now being supplied by two different providers, a source close to Mansion said the integration of all the products would require some extra work but would not bring substantial problems. Asked why it had chosen Ongame over Playtech, they said: “The intention of the company is to provide its services with the best poker and casino products and Ongame have been experts in online poker from the start while Playtech have been experts at casino games.”
Since launch, Mansion has struggled to build the liquidity needed to operate its own poker platform and has already closed down its sportsbook with rumours of its betting exchange due to close in near future.
Asked what they would do differently to attract enough players to build up liquidity levels now that they were part of a network, they said: “We will maintain our guaranteed tournament series and also offer all the network promotions. We will also continue to raise our brand awareness levels through our continued sponsorship of Tottenham Hotspur and other marketing activities.”
http://www.egrmagazine.com/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=2183
Bet Direct ‘could fetch £6m’
32Red’s up-for-sale Bet Direct operation could fetch £6m (US$12m), valuing the business at less than half of the price it fetched when it was sold by Sportech in May of last year, according to sources.
It is thought that Irish-based bookmaker Boylesports remains the favourite to snap up the business, though Stan James and Chronicle bookmakers (half-owned by Dermot Desmond, the Irish billionaire and owner of Betdaq) are also rumoured to be in the hunt. The deal could well go through within the next two weeks.
The Aim-listed operator confirmed a fortnight ago in a statement to the London Stock Exchange it was in talks to sell Bet Direct after eGaming Review broke the story that the loss-making sports-betting operation was on the market.
32Red bought the business from Sportech in May 2006 for £12.5m.
Boylesports gave an official no comment, as did Stan James, which was thought to be among the original bidders for Bet Direct when it was sold by Sportech.
No-one at Chronicle was available for comment.
http://www.egrmagazine.com/item/2182
It is thought that Irish-based bookmaker Boylesports remains the favourite to snap up the business, though Stan James and Chronicle bookmakers (half-owned by Dermot Desmond, the Irish billionaire and owner of Betdaq) are also rumoured to be in the hunt. The deal could well go through within the next two weeks.
The Aim-listed operator confirmed a fortnight ago in a statement to the London Stock Exchange it was in talks to sell Bet Direct after eGaming Review broke the story that the loss-making sports-betting operation was on the market.
32Red bought the business from Sportech in May 2006 for £12.5m.
Boylesports gave an official no comment, as did Stan James, which was thought to be among the original bidders for Bet Direct when it was sold by Sportech.
No-one at Chronicle was available for comment.
http://www.egrmagazine.com/item/2182
October 10, 2007
Refunds On All Losing First Goalscorer Bets If Owen Goes Off Before First Goal
Internet based sportsbook PartyBets.com (www.PartyBets.com) is guaranteeing best odds on England to win Euro 2008 for a limited period and will refund all losing first goalscorer bets if Michael Owen is substituted before the first goal in Saturday’s game with Estonia.
Anybody logging on to the PartyBets.com platform between 10am-2pm BST on Saturday will be guaranteed to be able to take advantage of the best price on the market for the ‘Three Lions’ to win the trophy in Austria and Switzerland next summer. Users looking to take advantage of the best price would be advised to visit the site early as the side will be priced up at a tasty 9/1 when the promotion kicks off.
PartyBets.com is also offering punters a special insurance on all first goalscorer bets in the Estonia game; If Michael Owen goes off before the first goal is scored, all losing first goalscorer bets will be refunded up to a value of £20.
A PartyBets.com spokesman said, “The ‘Owen insurance’ is something that is sure to be popular with our customers. Unfortunately, there is usually only one thing as certain as a Michael Owen goal and that is that he will not last the full 90 minutes.”
PartyBets.com England v Estonia Specials
G-Owen to the finals
Can Michael Owen once again inspire England?
Owen to score and England to win 8/5
Hat-Trick Heroes
Will an English player demolish the minnows?
An England player to score a hat-trick 16/1
Robbo's Woes
Can things get any worse for Paul Robinson?
Robinson to score an own goal 33/1
Robinson to concede a penalty 8/1
Robinson to be sent-off 14/1
Hotshots
Who will come out on top between England's strikers?
Owen to outscore Rooney 7/4
Rooney to outscore Owen 9/4
Both players to score the same amount 6/1
Neither player to score 11/10
Anybody logging on to the PartyBets.com platform between 10am-2pm BST on Saturday will be guaranteed to be able to take advantage of the best price on the market for the ‘Three Lions’ to win the trophy in Austria and Switzerland next summer. Users looking to take advantage of the best price would be advised to visit the site early as the side will be priced up at a tasty 9/1 when the promotion kicks off.
PartyBets.com is also offering punters a special insurance on all first goalscorer bets in the Estonia game; If Michael Owen goes off before the first goal is scored, all losing first goalscorer bets will be refunded up to a value of £20.
A PartyBets.com spokesman said, “The ‘Owen insurance’ is something that is sure to be popular with our customers. Unfortunately, there is usually only one thing as certain as a Michael Owen goal and that is that he will not last the full 90 minutes.”
PartyBets.com England v Estonia Specials
G-Owen to the finals
Can Michael Owen once again inspire England?
Owen to score and England to win 8/5
Hat-Trick Heroes
Will an English player demolish the minnows?
An England player to score a hat-trick 16/1
Robbo's Woes
Can things get any worse for Paul Robinson?
Robinson to score an own goal 33/1
Robinson to concede a penalty 8/1
Robinson to be sent-off 14/1
Hotshots
Who will come out on top between England's strikers?
Owen to outscore Rooney 7/4
Rooney to outscore Owen 9/4
Both players to score the same amount 6/1
Neither player to score 11/10
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