Thursday, March 15, 2007

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Former 888 CEO meets with French authorities

By Christopher Hunt

AFX News Ltd. is reporting non-executive director and former chief executive of 888 Holdings Plc., John Anderson, is meeting with French authorities today, likely about a defunct sponsorship deal with a French football club.

French law forbids online gaming advertising from companies other than state-run Francaise des Jeux, but online operators - including 888 - have tried to break the monopoly recently, saying they are protected by European Union regulations.

888 had entered a sponsorship deal with Toulouse Football Club while Anderson was CEO, AFX reports, leading to the likely interest from French authorities.

The deal, however, has been scrapped since, as the French Professional Football League has now banned advertising from online gaming firms.

Two executives from Austrian Internet betting firm Bwin Interactive were actually held by French police last year after they revealed a shirt sponsorship deal with AS Monaco, although they have since been released.

The 888 spokesperson again emphasised that revenue and income from France is an "immaterial" percentage of the company's business.

Related Articles:

888, Ladbrokes Deal May Be in Trouble
888 Sees Fourth Quarter Revenue Rise
Ladbrokes, 888 Working on Takeover Plan
France, EU May Clash on Gambling
Online Gambling Bosses Arrested in France

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