Online Gambling Giants Clash in Court: Playtech vs. OnAir Entertainment
Industry leaders Playtech and OnAir Entertainment are locked in a gripping legal battle over allegations of espionage, with a recent court ruling advancing the case.
- Playtech vs. OnAir Entertainment: The UK High Court has allowed a lawsuit alleging corporate espionage.
- Former Employee at the Center: Allegations involve former Playtech employee Igors Veliks, who was accused of retaining access and extracting confidential information.
- Claims Limited to OnAir and Veliks: While Playtech implicated other companies, the court ruled that there was insufficient evidence against Games Global Ltd. and Realtime Malta.
- Next Steps: The allegations against Veliks and OnAir’s supposed unfair advantage are pending court rulings.
The digital corridors of the online gambling world are abuzz with a high-stakes legal drama featuring two of the industry’s heavyweights: Playtech and OnAir Entertainment. In what’s shaping up to be a landmark case for the sector, a recent court decision has breathed new life into an espionage lawsuit that could have far-reaching implications.
The Case Unfolds
An accusation that could be ripped straight from a corporate thriller is at the heart of this legal battle. Playtech has lobbed serious allegations against its competitor, OnAir Entertainment. The charge? Corporate espionage. More specifically, Playtech claims that a former employee, Igors Veliks, who crossed over to OnAir, maintained unauthorised access to Playtech’s digital vaults. For approximately two years, Veliks has been accused of dipping into this well of confidential information more than 800 times.
The recent ruling by Justice Nicholas Thompsell of the UK High Court has set the stage for an intensified legal showdown. Thompsell’s decision underscores the gravity of the allegations, particularly against Veliks. It emphasises a “breach of confidence” that the court sees as credible and convicting. This ruling, in essence, gives Playtech’s lawsuit the green light to advance. The decision has undoubtedly put the online gambling community on high alert.
Accusations and Implications
The ramifications of these allegations are manifold. Should Playtech’s claims hold water, they could spell out a scenario in which sensitive data—potentially including strategic plans, software secrets, and market insights—could have been funnelled to a direct competitor. This would unfairly advantage OnAir Entertainment in the fiercely competitive online gambling arena.
Yet, it’s interesting that Playtech’s accusations extended beyond OnAir Entertainment and Veliks. The company had its sights on a broader conspiracy, implicating other entities such as Games Global Ltd (which owns Microgaming, among others) and Realtime Malta in the alleged espionage web. However, Justice Thompsell’s recent ruling draws a line. The decision cited insufficient evidence to ensnare these additional companies in the legal net.
What’s Next?
The path forward promises to be riddled with legal arguments, technological unravelings, and, undoubtedly, more drama. As the case proceeds, the spotlight will shine on the specifics of Veliks’ alleged actions. There are broader implications for corporate governance, data security, and competitive fairness in online gambling.
While the allegations against Veliks and OnAir Entertainment’s supposed benefit from proprietary information theft are compelling, they remain just that—allegations. The coming months will see these claims rigorously tested in court, promising to keep industry observers, competitors, and legal aficionados glued to their seats. As this saga unfolds, one thing is clear: the stakes, much like in the online casinos these companies operate, are sky-high.
Playtech was also in the news recently about shareholder pay.
Peter is our Editor-in-Chief at Gamblingauthority. He has more than eigth years of experience from the iGaming industry and is a valuable resource for everything related to online casinos.
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