QUICK RESPONSE (Update)
14 November 2008
OPAP sets the police on Stanleybet
The Greek gambling monopoly OPAP wasted no time this
week in actioning a threat by its CEO to take legal
action against Stanleybet's new betting shops in the
country. Barely a week after the shop doors were opened
the local police raided the premises, arrested two
employees and confiscated gambling machines and
equipment, according to Dow Jones news reports.
Earlier this month OPAP Chief Executive Christos
Hadjiemmanuil told the Reuters news agency that this was
the first time that anyone had challenged his firm's
monopoly, and that he would be initiating legal action.
Police officials confirmed that the raids were carried
out after a complaint was received from OPAP that the
new StanleyBet operations were conducted illegal
betting, without a permit from the appropriate
authorities and with the goal of monetary gain at the
expense of the Greek state.
StanleyBet International has defended its right as a
company in a European Union nation to offer gambling
services without hindrance to the citizens of another EU
nation, and will undoubtedly contest the issue. The
organisation has substantial resources, with over 1 400
outlets in Belgium, Croatia, Romania and Poland.
When it set up the betting shops, a Stanleybet statement
said: "According to articles 43-49 of the European
Charter, Stanleybet International has the right to offer
its services to the European Union member states, even
if a member state sets monopolistic barriers."
OPAP will be no pushover - the group operates some 5 500
outlets in Greece and Cyprus which produced sales of
Euro 5 billion last year.
Dow Jones reports that Greece is a lucrative gambling
market, with Greeks forking out several billion Euros a
year on soccer bets and lotteries, in casinos and at the
racetrack.
Online Casino News courtesy of
InfoPowa
More news here.
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