Bwin Wins Another Online Gambling Issue

MAXIM

Austrian injunction set aside

Bwin has won another legal hand in an online gambling dispute in which Omnia Communication-Centers GmbH sought an injunction to curtail the betting group's Austrian activities.

The Vienna Commercial Court this week rejected the injunction, which sought to prevent the bwin Group from offering games of chance – and in particular poker and casino games – on the Austrian market under its Gibraltarian licence. The court rejected the application on the grounds that there was no competition between the plaintiff and bwin.

"We welcome today’s decision by the court to reject this application for a preliminary injunction,", commented Co-CEO Norbert Teufelberger on learning of the positive outcome of these proceedings.

"Legal action is not the right solution,", added Co-CEO Manfred Bodner. "We are in favour of a constructive dialogue to regulate the gaming market not only in the best interests of the consumer, but also in conformity with EU legislation and taking into account the realities of the internet age."

The Vienna listed gaming firm has had a busy week, obtaining shareholder permission for a capital rise of up to 16.3 million new shares in order to generate over Euro 500 million at its AGM. Boerse Express speculation is that the capital increase will be used to fund the purchase of UK-based competitor Sportingbet.

Earlier this week Bwin scored another online gambling victory when a Munich court threw out an attempt by the German state of Bavarian to prevent Bwin and other firms from marketing their services in competition with official state-supported outlets. The court found that it was not technically possible for Bwin and like online companies to screen out Bavarian gamblers.