Former bwin.party executives Norbert Teufelberger and Manfred Bodner are facing corruption charges stemming from an Austrian investigation into the company’s attempts to secure a Turkish gaming license in 2007, according to Austrian news outlet Trend.
Trend reported that Vienna’s public prosecutor had filed charges of corruption, money laundering and breach of trust against eight individuals, including Teufelberger and Bodner.
The investigation involves bwin’s failed attempts to win a sports betting license in Turkey in 2007.
According to CalvinAyre.com, when the move was blocked officially, bwin hired several lobbyists, who in turn hired other lobbyists in Turkey, including an individual named Ali Ocak, who told Bwin that the license could be obtained if the company provided him with €2.25m.
According to the indictment, Bwin transferred the cash—which the company said was a consulting fee—to Lichtenstein company Cort International Establishment. Bwin later received what the website described as a forged Turkish gaming license.
The company announced the loss and filed a lawsuit in the case.
However, Austrian officials launched an investigation into the case amid allegations that bwin’s money was used to bribe Turkish officials.
Bwin issued a statement to eGaming Review insisting that the charges were “without merit” and that Teufelberger and Bodner had filed an appeal to dismiss the case.
