Casino News: Probe Initiated On Online Casino Heads
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Probe Initiated On Online Casino Heads September 20, 2006, 1:24 pm (5 years ago)Manfred Bodner and Norbert Teufelberger were apprehended for questioning by French authorities on Friday over suspected breaches of French gaming laws and were detained in custody over the weekend. The pair has yet to be charged with any wrongdoing in a case prompted by complaints from French monopoly operators, Francaise des Jeux and Pari Mutel Urbain (PMU).
The two joint chief executives of Austrian betting firm Bwin.com were arrested in France on Friday. They are scheduled to appear before a judge near Paris today where they are likely to be placed under official investigation before being released on bail. Oliver Drewes, a spokesman for the internal market commissioner, Charlie McCreevy, declined to comment specifically on the case but warned, “You cannot say to Operator A, which happens to be a state monopoly making a lot of money, 'Yes, you can do this,' and then tell Operator B, which is in the private sector, that it cannot do the same thing,” Drewes made it clear. This development has engrossed the attention of the European Commission, which has been scrutinizing the gambling monopolies of several European Union member states. This comes in the event of complaints that national policies discriminate against private-sector operators like Bwin. Bodner and Teufelberger were arrested on Friday as they were preparing to give a news conference outlining of a sponsorship deal with French Football Club Monaco. The football club confirmed at the weekend that it would maintain its sponsorship arrangements with the Austrian company. Meanwhile, Gunter Schmid, CEO of Betbull Plc has condemned the arrests by stating, “The arrest of Manfred Bodner and Norbert Teufelberger is an attempt to intimidate an entire industry. We offer both men and their families our sympathy and support.” Shares in the firm remained suspended from trade until further explanation of the present situation. Shiv Khera used to quote, “If injustice is happening to your neighbor, and you can sleep, wait for your turn. You are the next”
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