Moi aussi! France nabs online betting execs

Online betting operator BWIN is outraged at the arrest of its two top men on a trip to France, where only the state lottery and tote are exempted from a nationwide gaming ban. The two are accused of organising illegal bets online and advertising online bets. BWIN shares were suspended in Vienna and other online gaming ventures faltered badly on the news. BWIN says it has a "European-wide license" and will sue the French authorities. Partygaming says the crackdown contravenes the Treaty of Rome - even though gambling was excluded from the Services Directive and the country of origin principle is in tatters.