PartyGaming Exec Accuses US of Protectionist Tactics

LONDON, England – As reported by the U Guardian: "PartyGaming chief executive Mitch Garber yesterday issued a thinly veiled attack on the manner in which the US justice department appears to be pursuing offshore gambling operators that seek customers in America.

"Speaking less than an hour after learning of the arrest of Sportingbet chairman Peter Dicks, he said: 'We are a FTSE 100-compliant company. If the department of justice has any issue with our business, I would hope they would notify us and communicate that with us fully.'

"Mr Garber also said he was hopeful that the company would be licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, a move that would add regulatory legitimacy to the world's largest online gambling group.

"Like most internet operators, PartyGaming is licensed in an offshore territory and not subject to regulation in the main markets in which it operates.

"…He attacked countries that appeared to be mirroring US attempts to ban online gambling while protecting their domestic industries…"