ONLINE GAMBLING CHIEF RELEASED

2 November 2007

Nylander freed on Euro 200 000 - may have to return for further examination


Petter Nylander, the CEO of online gambling group Unibet detained at Schipol airport last week on a French-inspired European arrest warrant is free - but he may be called back to France for further investigations, and it is at the cost of Euro 200 000 bail.

Nylander was transported from Holland to Nanterre in France after telling the Dutch authorities he had no problem with the extradition. He was subsequently released on bail after a late evening appearance before a French judge, and after being informed that he may be required to return to France to face charges of illegal gambling operations and advertising under French protectionist laws. If convicted, the penalty could be three years jail time.

Back in London, Nylander told reporters: "In the coming weeks and months there will be more questions from the French," adding the firm had no indication how long the whole process would take or whether it would go to court.

"At first I thought it was a bad joke or a bachelor party or whatever so I was laughing and trying to crack some jokes with the policeman but he didn't really laugh," said Nylander, who lives in Britain.

"Then I said okay this is serious and they said you are going to be taken to France and showed me papers that said 2 or 3 years in prison and I thought, this like a very bad movie."

Nylander said the firm would continue to take bets from French punters despite the troubles and did not expect the issues to put off gamblers.

Unibet's legal council Ewout Keuleers said the firm would "probably" appeal the validity of the investigation, employing tactics used by Austrian-listed rival Bwin which is facing similar charges. "Once our French lawyers have seen the case and we have put together a framework for our defence then we will decide for sure," said Keuleers.

The French judge who issued the warrant was acting on a complaint by French lottery monopoly Francaise des Jeux and horserace-betting monopoly PMU that Unibet breached 19th-century laws protecting state-owned monopolies (see previous InfoPowa reports).

Nylander's detention drew criticism from the European Commission, which is putting pressure on France to liberalise its tightly controlled betting market.

In a statement issued by Unibet, Nylander subsequently said: “Unibet, the company that I run, has always abided by the law. We are transparent and we promote the concept of responsible gaming.

"Our company is European; we are listed on the OMX Nordic Exchange, and audited on a regular basis. The fact that there are numerous legal proceedings ongoing against responsible operators such as Unibet doesn’t make sense at a time when the French government has publicly referred to the opening of its online gaming market.

"Such proceedings serve only one purpose - the commercial interests of France’s two State-owned monopolies. There is an urgent need for reform of this market where these monopoly operators’ actions are in complete disregard of EU Treaties and the interests of French players.

"It is Unibet’s strong belief that the French consumer should have a choice regarding online betting and gaming, with specific regulation. France has everything to gain from the controlled opening of its market, and La Française des Jeux, the PMU and French casino operators alike have an opportunity to be co-leaders together with private operators in the European online gaming market”.

Online Casino News courtesy of InfoPowa