22-10-2007, 07:39
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jun 2005
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Re: Premierbet in trouble.
Looks like I'm fooked for my £200 then.
More and more punters affected by the Premierbet Fiasco are seeking help and considering taking legal action against the beleaguered bookmaker's holding company, Interactive Gaming Holdings Plc.
Premierbet announced the suspension of operations on August 20 2007. The announcement was immediately followed by the resignations of IGH's Executive Vice President Mitchell Petchenik and Non-Executive Director Robert Spriddell.
Premierbet's web site has been unexpectedly taken offline causing serious concern among owed punters. Meanwhile IGH's other web property, Heathorns International Limited (www.heathorns.com) continues to trade. Heathorns headquarters are located in Sliema, Malta.
"I have an account with PREMIER BET. Now for the last week or so I can't log on to their site," writes a concerned punter. "Have they run off?"
Ever since Premierbet pulled the web site offline TheOnlinewire.com has received an average of 15 queries per day. Most punters are seeking advice on how to track down the people behind Premierbet, some are inquiring about the possibility of legal recourse against Premierbet.
However not all punters may have a claim enforceable in court. Under U.K. law gambling debts are not enforceable; therefore punters' winnings may not be claimed. However deposits may be claimed.
Here are three examples:
1) Punter A deposited 1,000 Pounds in his Premierbet account. He wagered and won 500 Pounds but never withdrew any money. His current balance is 1,500. He can legally claim his deposit (1,000).
2) Punter B deposited 1,000 Pounds, won 500 and withdrew 750 Pounds. His current balance is 750 thus He can claim 250 Pounds (1,000 - 750).
3) Punter C deposited 1,000 Pounds, won 500 and withdrew 1,000 Pounds. His current balance is 500 therefore he has no claim since his balance is made of winnings.
Punters who wish to seek legal recourse must follow these guidelines. Burden of proof of the claim is on the claimant therefore punters must have record of their account balance and deposits with Premierbet.
A) A letter of summons giving Premierbet's holding company Interactive Gaming Holdings plc (Company No. 04799297) 7 working days to pay the claim must be sent to the following address via registered mail:
INTERACTIVE GAMING HOLDINGS PLC
MAYFAIR HOUSE
14-18 HEDDON STREET
MAYFAIR
LONDON W1B 4DA
Phone: 020 7445 6273
Fax: 020 7445 6272
Please be thorough and mention your full name and address, your contact phone number, your account number and the amount you claim.
B) Should Interactive Gaming Holdings plc fail to pay within the term set forth in the letter of summons individuals are entitled to file their claim with the U.K. Courts (Court fees apply, see Money Claim website for details and charges).
Lodging the complaint can be done online using the following Web site: https://www.moneyclaim.gov.uk/csmco/index.jsp
Important note: You must not lodge your complaint with the Court unless you have sent a letter of summons first.
Punters holding a non enforceable claim (winning balances) should immediately approach Heathorns and ask for the transfer of their Premierbet balance to Heathorns on simple demand.
It is despicable and possibly fraudulent that IGH continues to trade as Heathorns while stiffing its Premierbet customers.
Heathorns can be reached via phone at 0870 240 3316. However we recommend punters to contact Heathorns via email (info@heathorns.com) also copying the Malta Lotteries and Gaming Authority (info@lga.org.mt) on all correspondence.
Further legal steps may be taken at a cost. This requires a sufficient number of claimants (over 50) and upfront expenses. Punters wishing to pursue this route may contact TheOnlinewire.com via email (admin@theoffshorewire.com).
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Premierbet in trouble.
TOTW/F/M Award(s): 1
