SPORTINGBET FIGHTS SPANISH ONLINE GAMBLING INJUNCTION
03/27/2012 : Claims that erroneous information was presented to the Court in a blatant attempt to disrupt the market.
Sportingbet plc took to the media Tuesday to protest against a Spanish injunction and serve notice that it intended to launch a judicial appeal in Spain.
InfoPowa readers will recall the bitterness in the industry generated by last year's legal activities of Spanish group Codere, which sought a number of injunctions against foreign companies operating in the Spanish online betting and gaming industry, on the basis of unfair competition.
However, the operators impacted by the legal actions had a different view, believing that Codere had embarked on a campaign to restrict the online industry prior to the granting of internet gambling licenses under new Spanish legalization.
Codere launched its actions in several regions and was generally unsuccessful in getting the various courts to see things its way, but in the case of the Commercial Court in Madrid it had more support, and it is this case against Sportingbet which forms the basis for the British company's appeal.
In a media statement Tuesday, Sportingbet said it was not notified of the application against it and was given no opportunity to defend it.
"All of Codere's applications were rejected by various Spanish courts, with the exception of one made against Sportingbet in the Commercial Court in Madrid, where the court found against Sportingbet," the statement reveals.
"Sportingbet firmly believes that Codere's injunction application was based on erroneous information presented to the Court, and is a blatant attempt to disrupt the market in the run up to the issue of licenses.
"Sportingbet subsequently attended a hearing at the Court in Madrid on 16 February 2012 at which it defended its legally compliant position. In spite of this, the Court has granted the injunction which comes into immediate effect today, 27 March 2012," the statement notes.
Sportingbet is now filing an appeal against Codere's claim, having received advice that there is no legal basis for the action.
The company has applied for a licence under the 2011 Spanish Gambling Laws. Following regular meetings with the Spanish Gaming Regulator, Sportingbet expects to be granted its licence on or before 25 May 2012.
