by Ryan D. Jaeger
Clive Hawkswood, the Managing Director of the Remote Gambling Association
(RGA) commented on the news that the UK Gambling Commission has announced
that it is suspending the Hounslow (Middlesex) based Paradise Bet's gambling
license.
According to Hawkswood this is "not good news" as many gambling proponents
would use this case to prove the ineffectiveness of the Gambling Commission.
"The fact that they are licensed through the UK, assuming these things are
proved, is not good news for anyone," said Hawkswood. "There are clearly lots of
people opposed to gambling who latch on to this sort of thing, and one of our
reasonable line is that if you regulate this sort of activity, that's the way
you deal with the problem."
The Gambling Commission announced that it was suspending Paradise Bet's
license following a three year investigation by the Italian police.
According to the media reports, the police swooped on the southern Italian
city of Bari, where Paradise Bet has one of its offices, and arrested over 74
people, including members of the Parisi clan.
The mafia group is being investigated for money laundering, drug trafficking,
attempted murder and loan sharking.
The head of the clan, Savion Parisi, is among those who were arrested.
The Italian police seized hundreds of properties, 680 bank accounts and 35
businesses with a total worth of £200 million.
ParadiseBet.it has been linked to the clan, according to the Italian police.
"No regulatory system is foolproof," said Hawkswood, "but we will have to
know a lot more to see whether the Gambling Commission might have done anything
to pick up on this."
"I assume the Italians will be contacting the Gambling Commission for
evidence," he added.
