24hPoker Founder Cleared of Charges - 05-05-08

May 5 - The Swedish gambling industry is in the headlines once more, with the news that a long-running trial relating to the country's poker industry has finally come to an end.

Last year, Swedish authorities raided the premises of the 2007 European Poker Challenge that was being held in the town of Grebbestad, and cancelled the tournament, which was due to be held from March 23rd to March 25th, stating that it was illegal to gamble in the country.

Several people were arrested, including the organizers of the event, as well as representatives of the online poker gambling company, 24hPoker which sponsored the 2007 European Challenge.

This week, the judge handed down his sentence in the case and ruled that two people were were responsible for organizing the tournament would be given jail time of six months and eight months respectively, for contravening the Swedish Lottery Law which specifically prohibits poker tournaments that are not arranged for private purposes. Their lawyers have already said that they would appeal the sentences. Two out of the six defendants were fined.

In the case against Per Hildebrand, founder and former CEO of 24hPoker, as well as an employee of the company, the judge found that there were no grounds for their arrest and therefore ordered that they be acquitted of all charges. This was done on the grounds 24hPoker only played the role of sponsoring the tournament and had not actually organized it, said the judge.

During the case, the prosecutor brought evidence to show that correspondence had been found between Grebbestad Poker, the organizers, and 24hPoker to indicated an agreement to promote the 2007 European Challenge. In addition, players could qualify for seats to the event by playing through satellites at 24hPoker.

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