euro adhoc: bwin Interactive Entertainment AG / Justice/Processes / German Federal Court of Justice dismisses motion against enforcement order from bwin International Ltd.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disclosure announcement transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer is responsible
for the content of this announcement.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

16.03.2008

Since 2002, bwin International Ltd. has been providing games of
chance to its customers under the www.bwin.com domain (formerly
www.betandwin.com)- among others to German residents. In September
2004, Westdeutsche Lotterie GmbH & Co OHG ("Westlotto") sought a
judgement against bwin International Ltd. to prevent the Company from
organizing, brokering or advertising sports betting, casino and
lottery games in Germany.

In February 2006 the Regional Court of Cologne ruled in favour of
Westlotto at the first instance. In September 2007, the Higher
Regional Court of Cologne confirmed the judgement of the court of
first instance, declaring it to be enforceable. bwin lodged an appeal
with the Federal Court of Justice against the judgement by the Higher
Regional Court of Cologne. Although the Federal Court of Justice is
not expected to pass a final ruling on the merits for the next 12 to
18 months, Westlotto instituted enforcement proceedings against bwin
in November 2007.

bwin filed a motion to the Federal Court of Justice requesting the
court to suspend enforcement proceedings until the court has passed a
final ruling on the merits. In a decision served on 14 March 2008,
the Federal Court of Justice rejected the motion filed by bwin
International Ltd. on procedural grounds. Until a final ruling by the
Federal Court of Justice on the merits, Westlotto may now apply for
further enforcement orders. If the Company eventually fails to win
the appeal proceedings before the Federal Court of Justice, or if a
political solution is not found in the interim, any penalties that
may be imposed as a result of enforcement orders could have a
material adverse effect on the Company´s results and financial
position. Should the Federal Court of Justice decide in favour of
bwin, the Company reserves the right to claim for damages.

In view of the latest legal developments, bwin and its legal advisors
are confident that they will win the case against Westlotto. The
European Commission is also of the opinion that the current legal
situation in Germany is incompatible with primary EU legislation, and
has therefore instituted further infringement proceedings against
Germany. Furthermore, there are several preliminary rulings
originating from German courts still pending judgement by the
European Court of Justice. bwin therefore assumes that it will be
able to maintain unchanged the products offered for German clients on
the www.bwin.com domain, notwithstanding this judgement by the
Federal Court of Justice.

bwin e.K., which offers the Company´s products on www.bwin.de under a
licence issued by the former German Democratic Republic, is not a
party to these proceedings before the Federal Court of Justice.

end of announcement euro adhoc
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ots Originaltext: bwin Interactive Entertainment AG
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Further inquiry note:

Investors:

Konrad Sveceny, Investor Relations

bwin Interactive Entertainment AG

Boersegasse 11, 1010 Vienna, Austria

Tel.: +43 (0) 50 858-20017

E-mail:investorrelations@bwin.ag

http://www.bwin.ag

Press:

Kevin O'Neal, Press officer

bwin Interactive Entertainment AG

Boersegasse 11, 1010 Vienna, Austria

Tel.: +43 (0) 50 858-24010

E-mail:press@bwin.org

http://www.bwin.ag

Branche: Casinos & Gambling
ISIN: AT0000767553
WKN: 936172
Index: ATX, Prime.market
Börsen: Wiener Börse AG / official dealing


	hier anmelden...

euro adhoc: bwin Interactive Entertainment AG / Justice/Processes / German Federal Court of Justice dismisses motion against enforcement order from bwin International Ltd. - Final ruling on the merits