The business activities of three individuals associated with the Bubble Group BV, which trades as Sheriff Gaming, are under investigation in the Netherlands with the spotlight falling on another company, Teletick BV.
Following raids at Bubble premises in Eindhoven and Best Geldrop on Friday May 24, the three individuals in question have been named by Dutch media as brothers Michel and Maurice Gregoire, and Stijn Flapper, CEO of Bubble Group BV.
Sheriff Gaming, the leading software developer, has itself not been accused of any wrongdoing.
The investigation is reported to involve more than 150 investigators from the Dutch Prosecuting Authority (Openbaar Ministerie), the gaming authority KSA (Kansspelautoriteit) and the tax authority. It centres on allegations of drug trafficking, money laundering and illegal gambling.
Reports in the Netherlands claim that bank accounts have been frozen, assets seized and seven online casinos have also been shut down, namely AmsterdamsCasino, AmsterdamsPoker, JackpotRed, TripleGold, Golden10Casino, Tanzoo and FruitLuck. No arrests are reported at this stage.
An announcement on JackpotRed.biz questions the alleged illegality of the site and assures players that JackpotRed will do all it can to pay out balances due. Although changes to the legislation are proposed, Dutch law currently prevents foreign online gambling operators from targeting Dutch players.
News service Omroep Brabant quotes Flapper as maintaining his innocence of any wrongdoing and distancing himself from the current business activities of Michel Gregoire, with whom Flapper set up Teletick in 2004.
Meanwhile, a statement from the Alderney Gambling Control Commission confirms that it has commenced a special investigation “to confirm that the bases on which Bubble Group BV and its sponsors were approved remain correct.” Bubble Group BV has held a Foreign Gambling Associate Certificate in Alderney since 2011.
