Canadian online casino operator Gambling Federation has been thrown out of the Interactive Gaming Council over a row about malware installed on GF software.
Gambling Federation admitted to installing code on its casino software that blocked access to three competing casinos.
The firm said the malicious code was installed to prevent an ex-Gambling Federation employee, who allegedly stole a list of email addresses, marketing the casino sites to its player database.
But despite the firm apologising for its actions, the IGC voted unanimously to terminate the membership and accepted the resignation of Flaviano Fogli, chief executive of GF, from its board of directors.
And the council’s chairman said the actions of the Gambling Federation “jeopardised the integrity of the entire industry.”
The IGC said the actions of Gambling Federation were contrary to the letter and spirit of the IGC’s Code of Conduct and contrary to the best interests of the interactive gaming public and industry.
“The theft and conversion of property, be it software or email lists, is reprehensible and should not be practiced or condoned by any reputable business,” Mark Stone, chairman of the IGC, said.
“But there are also appropriate means by which to deal with such actions, and it is felt that the action by Gambling Federation in this case is not one of those appropriate means.”
The Gambling Federation had been a member of the IGC since March 15, 2004. The termination of its membership is effective immediately.
source : egaming review magazine
