Greek Scandal Brewing At Opap

GREEK SCANDAL BREWING AT OPAP

31st May, 2011 at 05:18:06

Source: http://www.azonlinecasinos.com

Five execs accused of fraud involving millions

The Greek newspaper Ekathimerini reports that a major scandal involving the state gambling monopoly OPAP is brewing following fraud charges laid Monday by an Athens prosecutor.

The charges have been laid against the owner of the Intracom telecommunications systems and technology group, Sokratis Kokkalis, and another four members of the company's subsidiary Intralot and state gaming operator OPAP over accusations that the five defrauded the state out of tens of millions of Euros in a 2007 deal involving gaming terminals.

Prosecutor Eleni Raikou brought criminal charges of breach of faith against the five defendants in connection with Intralot's provision of technology to OPAP.

Ekathimerini reports that according to the contract signed in 2007, the technology was worth Euro 96 million but OPAP ended up paying around Euros 300 million for it.

The order for the gaming terminals originally had been subject to an international tender but the competition was called off prematurely after two officials on the tender committee resigned.

Intralot was then directly assigned the contract even though offers by three companies had been deemed competent.