Adrian Loveridge continues his relentless pursuit of the truth concerning the operating of a game of chance in Barbados owned by the controversial company out of the United Kingdom, Opera Telecom. Despite several letters and queries to the media in Barbados and most importantly to the Fair Trading Commission (FTC), the many questions raised concerning transparency with the Barbados Lucky Numbers game remain unanswered. It was suggested that concerned Barbadians visit this Discussion Forum which has followed the operations of Opera Telecom and its subsidiaries companies very closely. BU followed the advice and opened this topic to invite feedback from people who obviously know more about Opera Telecom.
It was suggested by our friends in the UK that this company, despite its checkered record, may have been given license to operate in Barbados because of the opportunity for our media houses and government to make huge profits. The games of chance which has not passed the scrutiny of regulators in other jurisdictions seem to be operating just fine in Barbados.
Fair Trading Commission
Personal attention of
Judy Maynard
Officer-in-Charge Consumer Protection Division
re: Opera Interactive (Barbados) Ltd case # 3/12/4 (648)In your written response dated 14th November 2007 to my concerns emailed on 29th September 2007, you gave a number of assurances that this company had been instructed to comply with Fair Trading Commission requirements. These included that the company ‘Clearly state in its advertisement that Opera Interactive (Barbados) Limited is the operator of the competition’ and Additionally, Opera Interactive (Barbados) Limited has confirmed that the names of the winners of its competition will be published’.
Appearing today (1st December 2007 – Saturday Sun) is half page colour ‘ad’ (page 36) Barbados Lucky Numbers, which states the ‘winning number: 0083526′ and there is no mention of the operators of the competition, ie: Opera Interactive (Barbados) Limited. This is the same ‘winning number’ that has been displayed throughout the duration of the competition and to date I have not seen any list of ‘winners’ in the media.
Bearing in mind the parent of this company, Opera Telecom, has been found guilty in no less than 21 cases which breached the rules of regulatory bodies in the United Kingdom, it appears the assurances given to the FTC are meaningless. I would ask you in the interests of Barbadian consumers that urgent action is taken against this company.
Thank You.
Adrian Loveridge
1st December 2007
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