Wednesday, October 26, 2011 : ISRAELI INTERNET GAMBLING WALKOUT RESOLVED (Update)
William Hill plc reports a successful resolution
In a stock market advisory late Tuesday, William Hill plc advised that the "staff disruptions" at a number of William Hill Online operational locations have been resolved following meetings in Tel Aviv, resulting in the resumption of normal business activity in both Israel and Bulgaria.
"The situation in Manila was resolved last week," the advisory notes. "These discussions were led by William Hill Group and William Hill Online senior management, together with assistance and input throughout from William Hill's joint venture partner, Playtech."
The advisory reports that following the Tel Aviv meetings, agreement was reached with seven senior William Hill Online managers who have now left the business.
"The Group can now confirm that normal operations have resumed and that William Hill Online remains committed to its operation in Tel Aviv," the notification concludes.
Joint WHO venture partner Playtech followed the notification with its own note, signed off by chief executive Mor Weizer:
"Following today's announcement by William Hill, Playtech is pleased to note that the disruption within William Hill Online has been resolved.
"Playtech's senior management worked very closely with William Hill to find a resolution to the disruption within William Hill Online, the joint venture between William Hill and Playtech.
"William Hill Online remains important to Playtech and its stakeholders and the company will continue to give William Hill all necessary support to ensure the business continues to go from strength to strength."
Weizer subsequently commented: "Having been asked by William Hill's Chief Executive, Ralph Topping, to assist, I am very pleased that this issue is now behind William Hill Online. It is very positive for both shareholders that the business can now continue to move forward."
The Tel Aviv and Bulgarian operations were set up by the now departed marketing chief Eyal Sanoff and Teddy Sagi, the founder of Playtech. They were then bought by Playtech and sold on to WHO as part of the joint venture deal. The Manila operation is a webchat service provided by Playtech to WHO.