Popular Online Casino Companies Set to Battle in Court
9 December 2005

It’s always unfortunate when a partnership between two great companies turns sour. And this apparently seems to be the case for the two online casino groups, Empire Online Casino and Party Gaming. Recently, Empire started legal proceedings against their former partner Party Gaming, and is taking them to Gibraltar’s High Court. What’s the kafuffle? Empire is claiming that Party Gaming breached their contract.

According to Empire Online Casino, they wish to seek “substantial damages and injunctive relief” from Party Gaming. Although no further details were given by Empire, an unnamed source - that is known to keep in close communications with the company - has commented that Empire was making the claim that Party Gaming had broken contracts after breaking up a previous alliance, by marketing to Empire’s number one customers.

As it stands, Party Gaming has denied all allegations. John Shepherd, their director of communications, said that Party Gaming wishes to congratulate Empire on “kick-starting the pantomime season.” And they have every confidence that the proceedings in court with Empire will result in a successful outcome.

It is interesting to note, that only last month Party Gaming entered talks to purchase Empire Online Casino. However, these talks collapsed in less than three weeks much to the disappointment of Party Gaming. According to John Shepherd, if the legal action that Empire Online Casino is taking against Party Gaming is in any way Empire’s attempt on trying to draw Party Gaming into a deal, then its time for them to return to the drawing board.

It will be interesting to see what comes out of this court case and find out which online casino company is the victor.