Congratulations Online Players Association! You've finally done it! Due to the tenacious efforts of Steve Adkins and the Online Players Association, Microgaming has pulled the plug on the Tropika Casino group. This group of casinos came under fire when in December of 2000 they stopped paying players. It was obvious that they had insufficient funds via mismanagement of several bonus programs, yet they were still taking wagers.

When the Online Players association stepped in, the President of the OPA, Steve Adkins, was promised by the CEO of Tropika, Mr. John Ashbee, that payments were being wired to the players. This was in February 2001 and it never happened. After more protests from the OPA and other concerned parties, Microgaming stepped in and pulled the plug on Tropika. A responsible move by the software company. The following is the newsbrief that was distributed on 28 June 2001:

MICROGAMING ANNOUNCEMENT

Microgaming announces that the license for the operation of the group of casinos owned by Tropika, and notably Fairplay Casino, has been terminated with immediate effect. This termination does not affect Golden Riveira casino. Microgaming is aware that for some time there have been player allegations that pay outs to players have not been made by Tropika casinos.

In the interests of fairness, arrangements have been made for players that have still not had their claims paid by Tropika, or the relevant Tropika casino, by the 5th of July 2001, to put their claims to PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. (Johannesburg) (PwC). PwC will receive player's complaints with a view to verifying the correctness thereof, and advising of any amounts that should be paid. This process is entirely under the control of PwC, and Microgaming will not be involved in any way. The funds to be used for such payouts have been placed by Microgaming in a trust and are not under the control or ownership of Microgaming. PwC will advise the trustees of any amounts that should be paid.

All players who believe that they have a valid claim should approach PwC from the 6th of July 2001 at the e-mail address given below. Players should note that a time limit has been placed on the lodgement of such claims, and all claims should be lodged by the 6th of August 2001.

Claims must be addressed to: trustadmin@pwcgaming.co.za. These claims should clearly state the claimant's full name and login-id as registered at the casinos involved.

End of statement

This move by Microgaming gives players renewed faith in the online casino community. It also illustrates that when casinos are mismanaged negligently, there is recourse for jilted players and consequences for these operators.