888 chief executive allowed to leave France but could still be charged

March 16/07

John Anderson, former chief executive and non-executive director of 888, was questioned by French authorities this week, after they had requested his presence to explain the marketing activities of his company in France.

Anderson is understood to have been released from French questioning around 7pm on Tuesday, after a lengthy and detailed interview with the French authorities, which lasted the whole day.

The Financial Times said he was allowed to leave France after “an inconclusive eight-hour interview in Paris yesterday” but could still face charges for illegal advertising and may be asked to return to the country for further questioning. The paper added that the French gambling and horse racing monopolies contribute £1.4bn annually to the state budget.

888 had a sponsorship contract with Toulouse football club this season but cancelled it in December following pressure on the club by France’s football authorities and gaming police.

Meanwhile European sportsbook Unibet, which is also on the French authorities’ list of companies they want to talk to, indicated it had been invited to take part in the Pro Tour race Milan-San Remo but was waiting on an official confirmation. The news finally shed some positive light on the Unibet cycling team, which has been prevented from racing in the ongoing Paris-Nice by organisers ASO and has been caught in the crossfire of the dispute between the organisers of the world’s major cycling races and international cycling union, UCI.