Visa Issues Statement on Haines Settlement

15 October 1999

By Mark Balestra

As reported this morning by Interactive Gaming News, Visa USA has reached a settlement with Cynthia Haines, the California women who counter-sued the company over the enforceability of online gambling debts. Haines has been excused from paying the debts and the sites where she gambled are being required to cover her attorney's fees, according to a Visa spokesperson. The sites will also reimburse the card issuing banks.

In short, the banks win, Haines wins big and the online gambling companies, as usual, get the short end of the stick.

"There will be a fairness hearing on October 19 to finalize the settlement among all parties," the Visa spokeswoman said. "Under the purpose statement, the online gambling merchants involved in the cause will pay the plaintiff's attorney's fees and reimburse the card issuing banks for the plaintiff's card debt. Visa USA in turn will recommend that its members advise their card holders that Internet gambling may be illegal in certain jurisdictions and that Visa cards should only be used for lawful transactions." She added that Visa will also post such an advisory on its website.

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Visa Issues Statement on Haines Settlement is republished from iGamingNews.com.