A director of a Malta-based e-gaming company, STRYYKE Entertainment Ltd was taken to court today and accused of defrauding a number of people, who were allegedly not paid their winnings.

Indian-born Rajiv Giri, 40, who lives in Germany, pleaded not guilty.

Police sources said a complaint had been made by the Malta Lotteries and Gaming Authority claiming that the company had not paid out winnings of €55,000. Mr Giri is claiming that the outstanding amount is actually €6,000. He gave a number of reasons, notably that certain players did not present proper methods of identification in order to be paid.

Police Inspector Maurice Curmi said that while the prosecution was not opposing bail, it was asking for a substantial financial guarantee to ensure that the accused returned to Malta.

His lawyer, Clinton Calleja, said the company had been operating in Malta for the past four years and Mr Giri came to Malta at least once a month and had never had any problems.

The court granted the accused bail against a personal guarantee of €20,000 and a deposit of €5,000 and ordered him not to leave the borders of the EU.