Paradise Poker's Sportingbet Chairman Peter Dicks Resigns

Peter Dicks, the chairman of Sportingbet PLC- parent of Paradise Poker, resigned September 14th, the company said. Dicks had been arrested when New York customs officials discovered a Louisiana state warrant charging Dicks with illegal online gambling. Dicks has a September 28th extradition hearing in New York.

Click Here to read an earlier PokerPages Poker News article on Dicks' arrest.

"Further to its recent announcements regarding Mr. Peter Dicks, Sportingbet confirms that, with great reluctance ... the Board accepted the resignation of Mr. Dicks as Independent Non-executive Chairman of Sportingbet with immediate effect," the company said in a statement posted on its Web site.

On September 13th, New York state Govenor George Pataki received a formal request from Dicks and his attorney, Barry Slotnick, to withdraw a warrant the governor had signed allowing Dicks' extradition to Louisiana. Louisiana authorities want to bring Dicks back to stand trial in St. Landry Parish, where the warrant for his arrest was signed.

The next day, Dicks appeared in state Criminal Court in Queens, where Judge Gene Lopez adjourned his case until Sept. 28. Dicks learned then that the governor had withdrawn the warrant. Restrictions on Dicks' $50,000 bail that barred him from leaving New York had also been lifted.

"There is nothing pending in terms of any accusations against Dicks in the state of New York," Slotnick told The Associated Press, adding that Dicks was now free to travel back to London, where he lives.

Jessica Scaperotti, a spokeswoman for Governor Pataki, said the governor's decision was made in consultation with prosecutors in Louisiana and New York. "The decision was made to withdraw the extra warrant pending legal review of the arguments raised by Mr. Dick's attorneys," she said.

When he's back in court September 28th, Slotnick said, "it is our hope that the (Louisiana) warrant at that time will be totally withdrawn."

Slotnick said Dicks is appearing in court New York on Sept. 28 only "because Louisiana is requesting his presence. But the only one who can order him to Louisiana is Gov. Pataki."

Dicks is the founder of Abingdon PLC, a private equity firm. He is also a director at Nasdaq-listed Polar Technology Trust PLC and Standard Microsystems Corp. He has been non-executive director at Sportingbet since 2000.

Meanwhile, as SportingBet.com begins the search for a new Chairman, thousands of Americans continue to play online poker and place bets with the company. SportingBet.com appears to have no intention to stem this activity.

Sportingbet shares soared more than 25 percent to close at 192 pence ($3.60) on the London Stock Exchange. The stock had previously fallen sharply after Dicks was detained.

For further information on Peter Dicks and Sportingbet, read these prior PokerPages Articles:

• Sportingbet-Paradise Poker Exec Detained in USA- Click Here
• Paradise Poker's Sportingbet Stock Dives . Click Here