CARMEN MEDIA GROUP FREEZES SOLO

Fast reaction to underage gambling survey

August 6, 2004

The Carmen Media Group acted swiftly in response to the findings on underage gaming published by children's charity NCH and GamCare in the UK last week, suspending online purchasing through Solo debit cards.

The influential group, which includes the Belle Rock casinos has suspended use of the cards at all of their online casinos, their three poker rooms and sportsbook.

Customers over the age of eighteen who are currently using this payment method will be migrated onto acceptable alternatives.

Carmen says it is committed to actively work with the UK government and the excellent organisations that protect youngsters from inappropriate internet usage, and that to this end improvement and enhancement of verification procedures is ongoing, and forms a central part of the company's commitment to lead the industry with respect to responsible gaming.

Tim Johnson, CEO of Carmen Media said. "We support Andrew McIntosh (Minister for Gambling, UK) in his efforts to introduce legislation to enforce verification checks. We are licenced in Gibraltar, a British Dominion, and take all issues relating to the protection of our customers very seriously indeed."