Following last week's arrests in Kuala Lumpur, Interactive Gaming News has learned that 15 Victor Chandler International support staff members, Malaysian nationals all, are still being held after a request for bail was denied Monday.
"We went to the magistrate today in Kuala Lumpur and applied for them (detainees) to be released on bail," Phil Hall, a spokesman for the company in London, told IGN. "Unfortunately, it was refused.
"They (lawyers for the company) applied for them (detainees) to be released on bail, and the magistrate gave the police 48 hours further to either charge or free them.
"So, we're waiting until midnight tomorrow, which is the deadline. They've either got to charge them all or free them on bail."
Mr. Hall said the detainees are men and women, aged 18 to 25. Victor Chandler International established the Kuala Lumpur operation, an Internet technology and call center, in 2006.
"We took absolutely extensive legal advice before we set up the operation," he said. "We've absolutely stuck with those rules, and there's never been any gambling of any kind on those premises."
Mr. Hall said Victor Chandler, a Gibraltar-based online gambling operator chaired by its namesake, does not take wagers from Malaysian residents.
Chris Krafcik is the editor of IGamingNews. He lives in St. Louis, Mo.