Sportingbet 'has no case to answer'

A LAWSUIT in New Jersey against online gaming group Sportingbet.com is motivated by Atlantic City casino owners seeking to protect their gambling interests, the AIM-listed company has claimed. Chief executive Nigel Payne said his firm, based in the Channel Islands, had no case to answer.

'Atlantic City casinos pay a lot of lobbying dollars for politicians in New Jersey and there is a state election there in three months' time,' Payne said.

Acquisitions helped sales in the half-year to 30 September rise 156% to £293m. Payne said the firm would have made a profit but for £1.2m lost from cancelled sports events following the 11 September attacks. Pre-tax losses shrank to £1.63m from £4.2m. Losses per share were 1.1p versus 3.7p.