PartyGaming chief executive Jim Ryan addressed a number of questions on operational issues facing PartyGaming during his post-results press conference Friday, and one of these concerned the disruption of the PartyGaming – Danske Spil agreement to partner going into a newly liberalised Danish gambling market.
Licensing in Denmark comes into full effect in January 2011, and the b2b partnership would have seen state monopoly Danske Spil provided with online poker and casino products by Ryan’s company. The wheels temporarily came off the project two months ago when rival software producer Playtech launched a successful spoiler complaint in which it claimed that mandatory tender procedures had not been adhered to.
Whilst not making any direct commitments in regard to the Danish market, Ryan stressed that the PartyGaming platform is fully geared up and ready for a Danish launch, and that it may not necessarily include Danske Spil.
“We positioned ourselves hopefully to do business with Danske Spil in future,” Ryan revealed. “At this point in time, we have nothing to announce, but what I can tell you is that we are readying the PartyGaming platform, to launch in Denmark on January 1 2011.”
He added that the trend for European governments to start regulating online gambling represented a good opportunity for his company to grow and compete more effectively with online poker majors like Pokerstars and Full Tilt, which had been taking advantage of PartyGaming’s withdrawal from the US market to build their businesses.
Describing online poker as an intensely competitive market, Ryan said: “However, as we move into regulated markets, particularly ring fenced regulated markets, where competitors can’t bring worldwide liquidity into the equation to compete, we have a level playing field, an opportunity to invest freely in advertising and these factors equal growth.”
August 09, 2010
August 07, 2010
PartyGaming ready for US re-entry
Last week’s probity agreement with major shareholders Russ De Leon and Ruth Parasol means nothing is preventing PartyGaming from being licensed and re-entering the US, its chief executive has admitted.
De Leon and Parasol’s decision not to follow PartyGaming and the other company founder Anurag Dikshit and settle with US authorities for activities prior to passage of UIGEA had led to questions from the markets surrounding Party's ability to get licensed at federal or state level in the US.
Jim Ryan, however, highlighted that last week’s merger agreement had included a provision that if “perhaps a shareholder is going to be in the way of us getting a licence or completing a suitability review”, the company could obligate the shareholder to liquidate their position.
Ryan said: “There’s always been questions about PartyGaming and our position to do that, but we have now closed the loop and I think we are very well positioned for re-entering. Now all we need is regulation.”
On regulation, Ryan said that there were now three catalysts “driving our enthusiasm about re-entering into this market and regulation.”
“If we were sitting here a year ago, we would be talking about the efforts of lobbyists at various European online gaming organisations had hired to try and move regulation forward. Today, we are talking about in-country catalysts, organisations that are going to benefit from the addition of online gaming products,” Ryan said.
The first of these catalysts, according to Ryan was “new sources of revenue, and not just at a government level, but also at a land-based operator level in that country.”
“Another interesting catalyst are the efforts of Harrah’s and the WSOP, that they’ve announced they are actively pursuing a strategy has moved a lot of their competitors into looking at and exploring and wanting to partner up with other operators in the sector. Then we’ve got the catalyst of GTech acquiring various online gaming assets and talking to state-run lotteries about what online businesses can do for their revenue streams.”
Ryan, however, admitted that although he felt Party’s US settlement, subscription poker and WPT brand would serve the company well as it moves into the regulated environment, he still “didn’t know” if it would be licensed as a B2C operator.
“It is also equally possible, if not more likely, that we would have to offer our services to existing operators or existing licence holders. That’s why developing our B2B and B2G model was fundamental not just for European regulation but equally so for US regulation.”
The company’s negotiations with 12 land-based operators in the US over running events under its WPT Brand had given Party “a chance to talk to them about possibly leveraging that into the online world,” Ryan also revealed.
De Leon and Parasol’s decision not to follow PartyGaming and the other company founder Anurag Dikshit and settle with US authorities for activities prior to passage of UIGEA had led to questions from the markets surrounding Party's ability to get licensed at federal or state level in the US.
Jim Ryan, however, highlighted that last week’s merger agreement had included a provision that if “perhaps a shareholder is going to be in the way of us getting a licence or completing a suitability review”, the company could obligate the shareholder to liquidate their position.
Ryan said: “There’s always been questions about PartyGaming and our position to do that, but we have now closed the loop and I think we are very well positioned for re-entering. Now all we need is regulation.”
On regulation, Ryan said that there were now three catalysts “driving our enthusiasm about re-entering into this market and regulation.”
“If we were sitting here a year ago, we would be talking about the efforts of lobbyists at various European online gaming organisations had hired to try and move regulation forward. Today, we are talking about in-country catalysts, organisations that are going to benefit from the addition of online gaming products,” Ryan said.
The first of these catalysts, according to Ryan was “new sources of revenue, and not just at a government level, but also at a land-based operator level in that country.”
“Another interesting catalyst are the efforts of Harrah’s and the WSOP, that they’ve announced they are actively pursuing a strategy has moved a lot of their competitors into looking at and exploring and wanting to partner up with other operators in the sector. Then we’ve got the catalyst of GTech acquiring various online gaming assets and talking to state-run lotteries about what online businesses can do for their revenue streams.”
Ryan, however, admitted that although he felt Party’s US settlement, subscription poker and WPT brand would serve the company well as it moves into the regulated environment, he still “didn’t know” if it would be licensed as a B2C operator.
“It is also equally possible, if not more likely, that we would have to offer our services to existing operators or existing licence holders. That’s why developing our B2B and B2G model was fundamental not just for European regulation but equally so for US regulation.”
The company’s negotiations with 12 land-based operators in the US over running events under its WPT Brand had given Party “a chance to talk to them about possibly leveraging that into the online world,” Ryan also revealed.
August 06, 2010
Players face court in Belgian match-fixing probe
A total of 31 people, including nine players, are to appear in court as part of a match-fixing probe in Belgium.
The players, connected to Lierse, newly promoted to the top flight, will appear at a pre-trial hearing on Nov. 30, a spokeswoman for Belgium's federal prosecutor said on Thursday. She declined to name the players involved, saying some may not end up being prosecuted.
Nobody at Lierse was immediately available to comment. The prosecutor's office said in a statement that St Truiden, FC Brussels and La Louviere, who merged with Couillet in June 2009 to form FCLL, were also involved.
St Truiden are in the top flight while FC Brussels play in the second division and FCLL feature in the fourth tier.
Belgian police launched an investigation after Internet betting exchange Betfair logged heavy betting patterns relating to La Louviere's 3-1 win over St Truiden in a first division match in Oct. 2005.
In a statement on Thursday, the prosecutor's office said Ye Zheyun, a Chinese businessman suspected of being the lynchpin of the scandal, will also be asked to appear in court.
Ye has previously denied any involvement in the affair.
A total of nine matches were manipulated during the 2004/05 season, the statement said. Sums of 5,000 to 40,000 euros ($6,562-$52,490) were paid per match and per player, it added.
The players, connected to Lierse, newly promoted to the top flight, will appear at a pre-trial hearing on Nov. 30, a spokeswoman for Belgium's federal prosecutor said on Thursday. She declined to name the players involved, saying some may not end up being prosecuted.
Nobody at Lierse was immediately available to comment. The prosecutor's office said in a statement that St Truiden, FC Brussels and La Louviere, who merged with Couillet in June 2009 to form FCLL, were also involved.
St Truiden are in the top flight while FC Brussels play in the second division and FCLL feature in the fourth tier.
Belgian police launched an investigation after Internet betting exchange Betfair logged heavy betting patterns relating to La Louviere's 3-1 win over St Truiden in a first division match in Oct. 2005.
In a statement on Thursday, the prosecutor's office said Ye Zheyun, a Chinese businessman suspected of being the lynchpin of the scandal, will also be asked to appear in court.
Ye has previously denied any involvement in the affair.
A total of nine matches were manipulated during the 2004/05 season, the statement said. Sums of 5,000 to 40,000 euros ($6,562-$52,490) were paid per match and per player, it added.
August 05, 2010
Novibet gets Isle of Man internet gambling licence
Novibet the latest to meet island jurisdiction's standards
The Isle of Man government has revealed that its latest online gambling licensee is e-sports betting company Novigroup Limited, which owns the domain Novibet.com. The company has been awarded an e-gaming licence by the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission (GSC), allowing it to operate on the Isle of Man, a white-listed jurisdiction.
Novibet is a fully licensed online sportsbook which provides customers with on-screen betting offers on screen in a choice of eight different languages, with highlights and live score updates.
The site promises the most competitive odds on select teams, and offers live chat rooms so that punters can interact with each other. Wagering is accepted on a range of sports including all European football events, basketball, tennis, cricket, darts, boxing, ice hockey and motor sports.
Garth Kimber, Head of e-Gaming Development, Isle of Man Government’s Department of Economic Development commented: “The addition of Novibet to the Isle of Man showcases the Island’s success as a leading platform for gaming companies. The high level of regulation and support in the Isle of Man offers an ideal environment for Novibet to develop its business.”
The Isle of Man government has revealed that its latest online gambling licensee is e-sports betting company Novigroup Limited, which owns the domain Novibet.com. The company has been awarded an e-gaming licence by the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission (GSC), allowing it to operate on the Isle of Man, a white-listed jurisdiction.
Novibet is a fully licensed online sportsbook which provides customers with on-screen betting offers on screen in a choice of eight different languages, with highlights and live score updates.
The site promises the most competitive odds on select teams, and offers live chat rooms so that punters can interact with each other. Wagering is accepted on a range of sports including all European football events, basketball, tennis, cricket, darts, boxing, ice hockey and motor sports.
Garth Kimber, Head of e-Gaming Development, Isle of Man Government’s Department of Economic Development commented: “The addition of Novibet to the Isle of Man showcases the Island’s success as a leading platform for gaming companies. The high level of regulation and support in the Isle of Man offers an ideal environment for Novibet to develop its business.”
August 04, 2010
California senator joins fight to legalise sports betting
California poker bill author Senator Rod Wright has said the US’ most populous state could join New Jersey’s legal challenge to the 18-year-old federal ban on sports betting.
Wright confirmed to ESPN Radio Los Angeles yesterday he had joined New Jersey officials in their fight to legalise sports betting: “You’re talking about an industry that’s already a multi-billion dollar industry in the United States.
“We allow three states – Oregon, Delaware and Nevada – to have sports betting. In addition, if you take the internet that is kinda-sorta now going – internet poker in particular but some of the other online gaming that takes place – you’re talking about an industry, in the United States, that’s probably close to US$15 to US$20bn a year already.”
New Jersey’s lawsuit, filed last March by New Jersey Senator Lesniak, iMEGA and two groups representing horse racing interests in the state, argues the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992 is unconstitutional, as it discriminates against the people of New Jersey by allowing four states exempted under the law to reap tax revenue from sports betting while the Garden State cannot.
Wright added that he may ask the California legislature to join the fight: “We’re looking at it. When you talk about gaming or alcohol or prostitution, there’s kind of a push-back from people. … But particularly in this lawsuit, we’re talking about sports betting.
“I’m not a lawyer, but the lawyers to whom I’ve spoken, it’s kind of an equal-protection portion of the federal constitution. How am I able to do something in Oregon that I can’t do in California. What is it about Oregon that gives them a privilege that a guy in San Francisco can’t have?”
Despite being in “general support” of sports betting, recently installed New Jersey Republican Governor Chris Christie announced last month that he will not be joining Lesniak’s legal battle to bring sports betting to the US state.
Wright confirmed to ESPN Radio Los Angeles yesterday he had joined New Jersey officials in their fight to legalise sports betting: “You’re talking about an industry that’s already a multi-billion dollar industry in the United States.
“We allow three states – Oregon, Delaware and Nevada – to have sports betting. In addition, if you take the internet that is kinda-sorta now going – internet poker in particular but some of the other online gaming that takes place – you’re talking about an industry, in the United States, that’s probably close to US$15 to US$20bn a year already.”
New Jersey’s lawsuit, filed last March by New Jersey Senator Lesniak, iMEGA and two groups representing horse racing interests in the state, argues the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992 is unconstitutional, as it discriminates against the people of New Jersey by allowing four states exempted under the law to reap tax revenue from sports betting while the Garden State cannot.
Wright added that he may ask the California legislature to join the fight: “We’re looking at it. When you talk about gaming or alcohol or prostitution, there’s kind of a push-back from people. … But particularly in this lawsuit, we’re talking about sports betting.
“I’m not a lawyer, but the lawyers to whom I’ve spoken, it’s kind of an equal-protection portion of the federal constitution. How am I able to do something in Oregon that I can’t do in California. What is it about Oregon that gives them a privilege that a guy in San Francisco can’t have?”
Despite being in “general support” of sports betting, recently installed New Jersey Republican Governor Chris Christie announced last month that he will not be joining Lesniak’s legal battle to bring sports betting to the US state.
August 03, 2010
OPAP calls tender, grants Intralot interim extension
Greek gaming monopoly operator OPAP has renewed its agreement with existing gaming supplier Intralot by one year while it carries out an international tender for the provision of new gaming systems and respective support services.
OPAP has already started the process of selecting technical and legal advisors who will assist the company in organising the evaluation process and publishing the relevant Request for Proposal (RFP) documents.
The international tender concerns the provision of new gaming systems, infrastructure, gaming operation, and respective support services as well as the installation and transition from its current system to the new system.
While the company awaits bids under the tender, OPAP has agreed to extend its existing contract with Intralot for one additional year, with Intralot tasked with a number of objectives including uninterrupted operations, growth of modern services to clients, expansion of content and games offered, as well as upgrading agency functionality and reducing operating costs.
Intralot will upgrade the existing technology infrastructure of OPAP and provide technical support services, maintenance and operation of the infrastructure, whilst proceeding with the expansion of the LOTOS Horizon audiovisual system that will require the installation of 20,000 TV sets in OPAP’s retail network, which will broadcast information content regarding OPAP games.
Intralot will also develop, install and operate the OPAP/TV system which will broadcast OPAP-specific sports and betting content via satellite and internet exclusively to OPAP agencies.
In addition Intralot will develop and operate new games which will be operated on LOTOS Horizon and on OPAP's self-service terminals, and will provide support services for OPAP’s game ‘Pame Stihima’ and undertake the introduction of new forms of betting content as well as live betting.
Intralot will receive an annual fixed fee of €57m under the contract extension from OPAP, together with an additional fee representing 8 per cent of the gross proceeds of the new games carried out by TAX (autonomous terminals) and Monitor Games, the installation of which will be entirely at Intralot’s expense.
OPAP added that should a new supplier be awarded the tender, the company has the option to extend the contract with Intralot for one further year, in order to secure the transition from the current system to a new system.
OPAP has already started the process of selecting technical and legal advisors who will assist the company in organising the evaluation process and publishing the relevant Request for Proposal (RFP) documents.
The international tender concerns the provision of new gaming systems, infrastructure, gaming operation, and respective support services as well as the installation and transition from its current system to the new system.
While the company awaits bids under the tender, OPAP has agreed to extend its existing contract with Intralot for one additional year, with Intralot tasked with a number of objectives including uninterrupted operations, growth of modern services to clients, expansion of content and games offered, as well as upgrading agency functionality and reducing operating costs.
Intralot will upgrade the existing technology infrastructure of OPAP and provide technical support services, maintenance and operation of the infrastructure, whilst proceeding with the expansion of the LOTOS Horizon audiovisual system that will require the installation of 20,000 TV sets in OPAP’s retail network, which will broadcast information content regarding OPAP games.
Intralot will also develop, install and operate the OPAP/TV system which will broadcast OPAP-specific sports and betting content via satellite and internet exclusively to OPAP agencies.
In addition Intralot will develop and operate new games which will be operated on LOTOS Horizon and on OPAP's self-service terminals, and will provide support services for OPAP’s game ‘Pame Stihima’ and undertake the introduction of new forms of betting content as well as live betting.
Intralot will receive an annual fixed fee of €57m under the contract extension from OPAP, together with an additional fee representing 8 per cent of the gross proceeds of the new games carried out by TAX (autonomous terminals) and Monitor Games, the installation of which will be entirely at Intralot’s expense.
OPAP added that should a new supplier be awarded the tender, the company has the option to extend the contract with Intralot for one further year, in order to secure the transition from the current system to a new system.
888 on radar as takeover fever grips gaming sector
Online gaming firm 888 said it had been contacted by rivals looking for takeover opportunities in the wake of last week's tie-up between Austria's bwin and PartyGaming.
The merger between bwin and PartyGaming will create the world's biggest Internet gambling firm, worth $4 billion at current share prices, and puts pressure on other companies in the sector to strike deals or risk losing out as online gambling laws are relaxed across the world.
"This puts us in a position in which we are one of the best assets in the field -- we got a few phone calls immediately from various people. Everybody in the industry is looking and saying 'who is the best one to merge with if we need to?'," Chief Executive Gigi Levy said in an interview with Reuters.
"Party and bwin took almost a year to close the deal so we don't see anything happening imminently but there's definitely expressions of interest," he said.
KBC Peel Hunt analyst Nick Bartram said 888 must strike a deal in order to fully realise value in its business, especially in light of its weak trading performance in recent quarters.
"The pressure is now on for others to pursue consolidation or risk being left further behind. For 888 consolidation looks imperative and, given the bottom line performance, the group could be pursuing this from a sole position of weakness," he said.
888, which runs online casino, bingo and poker websites, said on Tuesday it made second quarter operating income of $61 million, unchanged on the previous year, after growth in bingo and emerging markets offset weak trading in its poker division.
Poker has been hit by competition from websites continuing to take bets from U.S.-based gamblers illegally.
888 said average daily revenues in July were down 6 percent on the previous quarter, with summer holidays and the soccer World Cup providing alternative attractions for gamblers.
In May, 888 warned full-year earnings would be significantly lower than market expectations.
Shares in 888, which have lost over half their value since the start of the year, were trading down 1.5 percent at 49.25 pence at 0915 GMT.
888 also said it had formed a partnership with Microgame to provide online casino products to the Italian market.
The merger between bwin and PartyGaming will create the world's biggest Internet gambling firm, worth $4 billion at current share prices, and puts pressure on other companies in the sector to strike deals or risk losing out as online gambling laws are relaxed across the world.
"This puts us in a position in which we are one of the best assets in the field -- we got a few phone calls immediately from various people. Everybody in the industry is looking and saying 'who is the best one to merge with if we need to?'," Chief Executive Gigi Levy said in an interview with Reuters.
"Party and bwin took almost a year to close the deal so we don't see anything happening imminently but there's definitely expressions of interest," he said.
KBC Peel Hunt analyst Nick Bartram said 888 must strike a deal in order to fully realise value in its business, especially in light of its weak trading performance in recent quarters.
"The pressure is now on for others to pursue consolidation or risk being left further behind. For 888 consolidation looks imperative and, given the bottom line performance, the group could be pursuing this from a sole position of weakness," he said.
888, which runs online casino, bingo and poker websites, said on Tuesday it made second quarter operating income of $61 million, unchanged on the previous year, after growth in bingo and emerging markets offset weak trading in its poker division.
Poker has been hit by competition from websites continuing to take bets from U.S.-based gamblers illegally.
888 said average daily revenues in July were down 6 percent on the previous quarter, with summer holidays and the soccer World Cup providing alternative attractions for gamblers.
In May, 888 warned full-year earnings would be significantly lower than market expectations.
Shares in 888, which have lost over half their value since the start of the year, were trading down 1.5 percent at 49.25 pence at 0915 GMT.
888 also said it had formed a partnership with Microgame to provide online casino products to the Italian market.
July 29, 2010
PartyGaming to merge with bwin
PartyGaming and bwin Interactive Entertainment plan to merge, creating the world's largest listed online gaming business.
The enlarged group will be owned approximately 48.36% by PartyGaming and and 51.64% by bwin shareholders and will be listed on the London Stock Exchange.
Irrevocable undertakings in support of the proposed merger have been received from shareholders holding 28.5% of PartyGaming and 14.4% of Austrian-listed bwin.
Jim Ryan, CEO of PartyGaming, said, 'This is a transformational opportunity for both our companies to create the world's largest listed online gaming business.
'With market-leading positions in poker, sports betting, casino and games (in particular bingo), the enlarged group will have a winning formula to exploit the growing online gaming market, supported by a strong balance sheet, significant cashflow generation and a highly experienced management team.'
Norbert Teufelberger, co-chief executive of bwin, said, 'This merger of equals makes great strategic, operational and financial sense.
'We will be in pole position to capitalise on the wealth of opportunities that will flow from the continued evolution and expansion of the global online gaming industry.'
Ryan and Teufelberger will jointly head the merged group.
The merger is expected to be significantly earnings enhancing for both companies pre-amortisation. Annualised synergies are estimated at 55m.
Pro forma 2009 net gaming revenue was 682m with EBITDA of 196m before synergies.
The proposed merger will be effected by merging bwin into PartyGaming, which will continue to be domiciled in Gibraltar.
bwin shareholders will receive 12.23 new PartyGaming Shares for each bwin Share. The merger is classified as a reverse takeover for PartyGaming under UKLA rules.
The enlarged group will be owned approximately 48.36% by PartyGaming and and 51.64% by bwin shareholders and will be listed on the London Stock Exchange.
Irrevocable undertakings in support of the proposed merger have been received from shareholders holding 28.5% of PartyGaming and 14.4% of Austrian-listed bwin.
Jim Ryan, CEO of PartyGaming, said, 'This is a transformational opportunity for both our companies to create the world's largest listed online gaming business.
'With market-leading positions in poker, sports betting, casino and games (in particular bingo), the enlarged group will have a winning formula to exploit the growing online gaming market, supported by a strong balance sheet, significant cashflow generation and a highly experienced management team.'
Norbert Teufelberger, co-chief executive of bwin, said, 'This merger of equals makes great strategic, operational and financial sense.
'We will be in pole position to capitalise on the wealth of opportunities that will flow from the continued evolution and expansion of the global online gaming industry.'
Ryan and Teufelberger will jointly head the merged group.
The merger is expected to be significantly earnings enhancing for both companies pre-amortisation. Annualised synergies are estimated at 55m.
Pro forma 2009 net gaming revenue was 682m with EBITDA of 196m before synergies.
The proposed merger will be effected by merging bwin into PartyGaming, which will continue to be domiciled in Gibraltar.
bwin shareholders will receive 12.23 new PartyGaming Shares for each bwin Share. The merger is classified as a reverse takeover for PartyGaming under UKLA rules.
Abandoned betting accounts may be used to fund UK sports
The UK government is to compile a report into how much money is left abandoned in betting accounts, with a view to the proceeds being used to improve public sports facilities and clubs.
The review stems from a pledge in the Coalition Agreement to look into the best use of abandoned betting accounts. Work will be done to determine how a betting account can be classed as 'dormant', and to clarify legal ramifications surrounding the potential uses of the money.
John Penrose, UK minister for Tourism and Heritage, who has asked MP Don Foster to compile the report, said. “Every day thousands of people bet on the outcome of sporting events. Therefore it seems a natural fit that funds from abandoned betting accounts should be used to benefit grassroots sports projects.”
Foster added: “I’ll be meeting representatives from all parts of the industry to gain views and suggestions on how this can work. It would be great to see some local sporting facilities and initiatives getting some extra funding in these difficult financial times.”
Foster will present his findings, along with a possible proposal of new legislation, by the end of the year, with a formal consultation process to follow.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the UK government department tasked with oversight for the UK gambling industry, said customers would still be able to reclaim their money at any time, as long as they were able to prove their right to it.
The review stems from a pledge in the Coalition Agreement to look into the best use of abandoned betting accounts. Work will be done to determine how a betting account can be classed as 'dormant', and to clarify legal ramifications surrounding the potential uses of the money.
John Penrose, UK minister for Tourism and Heritage, who has asked MP Don Foster to compile the report, said. “Every day thousands of people bet on the outcome of sporting events. Therefore it seems a natural fit that funds from abandoned betting accounts should be used to benefit grassroots sports projects.”
Foster added: “I’ll be meeting representatives from all parts of the industry to gain views and suggestions on how this can work. It would be great to see some local sporting facilities and initiatives getting some extra funding in these difficult financial times.”
Foster will present his findings, along with a possible proposal of new legislation, by the end of the year, with a formal consultation process to follow.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the UK government department tasked with oversight for the UK gambling industry, said customers would still be able to reclaim their money at any time, as long as they were able to prove their right to it.
July 28, 2010
Dinamo Zagreb under investigation for match fixing
Croatian Minister of the Interior Tomislav Karamarko on Monday confirmed that the Croatian police were continuing cooperation with their German colleagues in an investigation into the rigging of First Croatian Football Division matches, declining to comment on media reports that Zoran Mamic, sports director of the soccer club Dinamo Zagreb, was under investigation.
"The operation Offside is still in progress and it would not be good to give any comments or prejudge anything. We are cooperating with our German colleagues in the case," Karamarko told reporters.
The media have reported that German prosecutors suspect Mamic of fixing the national cup's first final match between Dinamo and Hajduk last year. The Sportske Novosti paper on Sunday reported that German prosecutors have evidence that Mamic, referees and the-so called betting mob had fixed last year's first final cup match in which Dinamo beat Hajduk 3:0. The report was carried on Monday by almost all domestic media.
Ante Sapina, a Croatian living in Germany, has been linked with this case. Sapina has been involved in several scandals regarding match fixing and he reportedly earned 1.4 million euros on the Dinamo-Hajduk match. The German state prosecutor's office in Bochum, which is investigating match-fixing scandals, today would not either confirm or deny reports in the Croatian media, and the Croatian anti-corruption agency USKOK would not comment either.
Dinamo issued a statement today condemning in the strongest terms illegal betting and match fixing, describing media reports implicating Mamic as dangerous and destructive.
Based on data provided by the German police, the Croatian police last year launched an operation called Offside, arresting 22 sport workers and footballers for fixing matches for personal gain. Three of the alleged organisers of the scam remain in custody.
"The operation Offside is still in progress and it would not be good to give any comments or prejudge anything. We are cooperating with our German colleagues in the case," Karamarko told reporters.
The media have reported that German prosecutors suspect Mamic of fixing the national cup's first final match between Dinamo and Hajduk last year. The Sportske Novosti paper on Sunday reported that German prosecutors have evidence that Mamic, referees and the-so called betting mob had fixed last year's first final cup match in which Dinamo beat Hajduk 3:0. The report was carried on Monday by almost all domestic media.
Ante Sapina, a Croatian living in Germany, has been linked with this case. Sapina has been involved in several scandals regarding match fixing and he reportedly earned 1.4 million euros on the Dinamo-Hajduk match. The German state prosecutor's office in Bochum, which is investigating match-fixing scandals, today would not either confirm or deny reports in the Croatian media, and the Croatian anti-corruption agency USKOK would not comment either.
Dinamo issued a statement today condemning in the strongest terms illegal betting and match fixing, describing media reports implicating Mamic as dangerous and destructive.
Based on data provided by the German police, the Croatian police last year launched an operation called Offside, arresting 22 sport workers and footballers for fixing matches for personal gain. Three of the alleged organisers of the scam remain in custody.
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