The Danish Backgammon Federation
Press Release

Copenhagen,16 January 1999

The Danish Backgammon Federation summons SAS Radisson Hotel Scandinavia

The Danish Backgammon Federation have on behalf of the 500 players that
participated in Easter's Nordic Open 1998, started legal proceedings against Radisson
SAS Scandinavia Hotel Copenhagen for recovery of the near 900.000,- DKK.


Thieves stole the amount in question on the night of the 11th April 1998. The thieves
broke into the Hotel's safety deposit boxes room, and broke open nearly 30 safety 
boxes, one of these contained amongst other receipts, all the prize money from the 
worlds largest international backgammon tournament, which DBgF have arranged for
the last 10 years.

The hotel's General Manager for Denmark, Mr. Frank Fiskers, took immediate and full 
responsibility for the theft, and on the afternoon of the 12th, before start of play, publicly
assured both players and the Federation that the entire amount would be paid out 
very quickly. This public assurance is of course very important for DBgF's reputation and 
trustworthiness as organisers of international backgammon tournaments. However 
when the last dice was cast in the Nordic Open, all the prize-winners had was their 
trophy and a promise of a speedy pay out.

Since that time the hotel have repeatedly postponed any decision as to paying the 
stolen money to DBgF. Nine months have passed, with correspondence between DBgF
and our lawyer, the hotel and their insurance company, but to no avail, and no 
assurances as to when we could expect a settlement.


The board members of the Federation, feel that we have been more than generous 
with allowing so much time to reach a settlement, and with this in mind instructed our 
lawyer to initiate legal proceedings against the hotel, and papers were served on the 
23rd of December 1998.

All question pertinent to this press release are welcome, and should be directed to:

The Danish Backgammon Federation.

Thomas Braemer-Jensen,
Chairman