BETSSON NO LONGER OPERATOR IN TURKEY

Dec 29, 2010
Swedish operator's regional database sold to Malta company for GBP1.6 million The Swedish online gambling firm Betsson concluded a GBP1.6 million deal with Realm Entertainment, a Malta-based company, as per which Realm acquired the entire Betsson Turkish database. Additionally, the two companies signed a five year business-to-business deal through which Realm gained a complete online gambling operation in Turkey. This is the first agreement of this kind signed following the development of the new platform by Betsson b2b subsidiary Business Solutions. As per the agreement, Betsson is to retire from the challenging Turkish market as an operator, but according to the statement given by a senior company executive, the company will remain 'active on the technical side of things' in supporting its client. Pontus Lindwall, Betsson CEO, opined that the agreement with Realm represents the pillar for expanded business with other clients, saying: "Once we get this up and running it will be a good showcase for other markets.” Realm has submitted the application for a Malta (LGA) online gambling licence in order to operate the enterprise, which will be offered not only in Turkish, but also in several other European languages and will include poker, casino and sports betting services. Apart from announcing the conclusion of the deal with Realm last week, Betsson was also busy with other burning issues including facing the fury of the Swedish Gaming Board over re-opening its Shoppsen betting shop, which is yet another instance of their continuing argument with the authorities. Since 2008, this Stockholm-based shop has opened and closed twice, while the company claims that its disobedience is just “a statement in the debate about free movement in the European Union.” According to Lindwall, all services offered by his company were regulated and legal as the company is licensed within the EU in Malta, concluding “It is obvious that the gaming we offer from Malta is legal, making it legal for any Swedish person to take part. But the courts say that it's illegal for us to inform them about this. Since it is legal to offer gaming services to Betsson's customers, we will continue fighting for the Swedish consumer's right to a free choice of games.”
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