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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/nov/13/bwinparty-boss-questioned-belgian-police
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| Version 6 | Version 7 |
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| Bwin.party boss questioned by Belgian police | Bwin.party boss questioned by Belgian police |
| (4 months later) | |
| The co-chief executive of the online gambling group bwin.party, was questioned by Belgian police on Tuesday, shortly after addressing an industry conference in Brussels. | The co-chief executive of the online gambling group bwin.party, was questioned by Belgian police on Tuesday, shortly after addressing an industry conference in Brussels. |
| Norbert Teufelberger had completed his presentation at the Responsible Gaming Day talks, organised by the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) when he was approached by the authorities. | Norbert Teufelberger had completed his presentation at the Responsible Gaming Day talks, organised by the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) when he was approached by the authorities. |
| Shares in bwin.party fell on the news, forcing the company to issue a statement. "The group can confirm that Norbert Teufelberger, co-chief executive, was requested to attend an interview with the Belgian authorities. He complied voluntarily with this request and is co-operating fully," it said. | Shares in bwin.party fell on the news, forcing the company to issue a statement. "The group can confirm that Norbert Teufelberger, co-chief executive, was requested to attend an interview with the Belgian authorities. He complied voluntarily with this request and is co-operating fully," it said. |
| Teufelberger, who was detained by police in France in 2006 over alleged violation of gambling laws, was taken to answer questions about the company, which is on a so-called blacklist of online gambling operators, who take bets from Belgian residents but have no licence to operate in the country. | Teufelberger, who was detained by police in France in 2006 over alleged violation of gambling laws, was taken to answer questions about the company, which is on a so-called blacklist of online gambling operators, who take bets from Belgian residents but have no licence to operate in the country. |
| Belgian laws only permit operators who possess a licence to run a physical gambling business to apply for an online gambling permit, thereby excluding internet-only businesses. | Belgian laws only permit operators who possess a licence to run a physical gambling business to apply for an online gambling permit, thereby excluding internet-only businesses. |
| Sigrid Ligne, secretary-general of the EGBA, who witnessed Teufelberger being led away, added: "The EGBA filed a formal complaint to the European commission back in 2010 over Belgian gambling legislation." | Sigrid Ligne, secretary-general of the EGBA, who witnessed Teufelberger being led away, added: "The EGBA filed a formal complaint to the European commission back in 2010 over Belgian gambling legislation." |
| Industry watchers said the incident could cause jitters at the company's US partners. Stuart Tilly, a director at iGaming Counsel, said: "Events like this could raise questions about fit and proper person tests [in Nevada]." | Industry watchers said the incident could cause jitters at the company's US partners. Stuart Tilly, a director at iGaming Counsel, said: "Events like this could raise questions about fit and proper person tests [in Nevada]." |
| Shares in bwin.party ended the day down more than 4% at 113.3p. | Shares in bwin.party ended the day down more than 4% at 113.3p. |
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