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2007-11-01
The French authorities have released Unibet CEO Petter Nylander on 200,000 euros bail following his extradition to France from Holland this week.
But Nylander expects to be sent back.
"In the coming weeks and months there will be more questions from the French," Nylander told reporters in London, adding the firm had no indication how long the whole process would take or whether it would go to court..
Unibet's legal council Ewout Keuleers told Reuters the firm would "probably" appeal the validity of the investigation, employing tactics used by Austrian rival Bwin (BWIN.VI: Quote, Profile , Research) 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.
Nylander's detention drew criticism from the European Commission, which is putting pressure on France to liberalise its tightly controlled betting market.
"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.
Sweden is likely to become the next frontier. Sweden ranks among the top nations in terms of gambling online. |
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发表于 2007-11-2 08:15
楼主