| Everton FC closes EvertonBet, online casino, bingo and poker room 20060331 |
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| Friday, 31 March 2006 | |
 Everton FC, a popular UK soccer club, has decided to stamp out their online betting operation, effective midnight last night. This has stunned football club fans and casino players alike, with an urgent late night email informing customers of the urgent and drastic decision. Industry commentators aren't too surprised though. As recent gaming laws have been put under the microscope in the UK, many online casino operations are responding with appropriate changes to websites, advertising and now it seems that even casino businesses as a whole could be under review. In a bold move, Everton Football Club made a sweeping closure of its online sports betting service and ended their online casino, bingo hall and poker room all at the same time. While onlookers are wondering how this will impact other sportsbooks and casinos in the UK, EvertonBet customers are left hoping that they'll be paid out any outstanding money owed to them. Everton FC assured players that this would be the case in their farewell email last night:"Everton Football Club wishes to inform its supporters, and in particular customers of evertonbet and associated websites, that all services will be closed with effect from midnight 30th March 2006. Supporters should note that ALL balances (excluding promotional credits and bonuses) in evertonbet accounts will be transferred back to the client. Players should contact support@evertonbet.com over the next 14 days to arrange a transfer. All supporters who have placed future bets with evertonbet will have those bets honoured and the respective user account will remain active until the final outcome of the bet is determined." Everton continued to say that the closure of the online betting and gambling services took place after an amicable agreement between the football club and the providers of the EvertonBet online services. Though for now club supporters and gamblers won't be able to bet or gamble with their favorite team, Everton hasn't ruled out revisiting their internet options down the line, "The Club is now actively pursuing other partners in this area and will make any announcement at an appropriate time." |
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