Online Gambling To Be Banned From French Open
13th February, 2008
Organisers of the French Open have opened a landmark court case in a bid to ban online gambling companies from offering bets on the Grand Slam tournament.
The organisers filed a complaint before a Liege court in Belgium and Paris, claiming that the internet betting companies “stain the reputation” of the clay court championship held in Roland Garros.
Jean-Francois, the director general of the French tennis federation told the associated press that “there is an urgency to act as sporting ethic is at risk”. This followed allegations made by several players saying they had been approached with offers to fix matches for money.
Three companies- Betfair, Bwin, and Ladbrokes are being sued by the French federation with a court injunction to stop their betting activity on the French Open. The federation is pursuing a fine upward of 50,000 Euros per day for any violations.
If successful the court case could drastically affect the multibillion dollar sports betting industry, which thrives on events like this.
