Sportingbet is filing an appeal against Codere after an injuction sought by the Spanish land-based casino group came into immediate effect yesterday.
Codere sought a number of injunctions in December 2011 against companies operating in the Spanish online betting and gaming industry, on the basis of unfair competition. According to a statement released by Sportingbet yesterday, this was part of a campaign to restrict the online industry prior to the granting of licences under new Spanish legislation
Sportingbet states that it was not notified of the application against it and was given no opportunity to defend it, adding: “All of Codere's applications were rejected by various Spanish courts, with the exception of one made against Sportingbet in the Commercial Court in Madrid, where the court found against Sportingbet.”
The company believes that Codere's injunction application was based on “erroneous information presented to the court and is a blatant attempt to disrupt the market in the run-up to the issue of licences”.
Sportingbet subsequently attended a hearing at the court in Madrid on February 16, at which it defended its legally compliant position. Despite this, the court has granted the injunction, which came into immediate effect yesterday.
Sportingbet is filing an appeal against the group’s claim, having received advice that there is no legal basis for the action. This is supported by the decisions of other Spanish courts to reject its applications for injunctions against other companies in the Spanish online betting and gaming sector.
Sportingbet has applied for a licence under the 2011 Spanish gambling laws. Following regular meetings with the Spanish gaming regulator, it expects to be granted its licence on or before May 25, 2012.
