Unibet CEO posts bail

Unibet CEO Petter Nylander was transferred from the Netherlands to France Wednesday and released on €200,000 bail. His release comes nine days after he was detained for allegedly violating French gambling laws.

France issued the warrant following a complaint filed by French lottery company Francaise des Jeux and French horse-betting company PMU. Both are state-owned and accuse Unibet of violating laws that allow them to operate as a monopoly inside France.

Nylander defended his innocence in a statement released after he posted bail.

"Unibet, the company that I run, has always abided by the law," Nylander said. "We are transparent and we promote the concept of responsible gaming."

Nylander also said the French gaming companies should not fear Unibet, or an open market.

"France has everything to gain from the controlled opening of its market," Nylander explained. "And La Française des Jeux, the PMU and French casino operators alike have an opportunity to be co-leaders together with private operators in the European online gaming market."