Exhibit 5.0 Legal Share Opinion OPINION OF ORCHARD 99 Bishopsgate London EC2M 3YU 19 October 2000 Starnet Communications International (DE) Inc The CIBC Banking Centre Old Parham Road P O Box 3265 St John's Antigua West Indies World Gaming Plc Devonshire House 60 Goswell Road London EC1M 7AD Dear Sirs: We act as special legal counsel in England and Wales to World Gaming Plc (the "Company") in connection with its formation and the merger of WG Reorganization Sub, Inc., an indirect, wholly-owned Delaware subsidiary of the Company, with and into Starnet Communications International (DE) Inc ("Starnet") as set forth in the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated 19 October 2000, by and among the Company, Starnet and the other parties named therein ("Reorganization Agreement") and as more fully described in the Registration Statement (as defined below). For the purposes of giving this opinion, we have examined the registration statement on Form F-4 filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Registration Statement", which term does not include any exhibits thereto or any documents incorporated therein by reference), on 19 October 2000 in respect of up to 100 million ordinary shares of the Company par value 1 pence each (the "Shares"), to be issued pursuant to the Reorganization Agreement. We have also and made such enquiries as to questions of law as we have deemed necessary in order to render the opinion set forth below. We have assumed (a) the genuineness and authenticity of all signatures and the conformity to the originals of all copies of documents (whether or not certified), (b) the accurateness and completeness of all factual representations made in the Registration Statement and other documents reviewed by us, and (c) that there is no provision of the law of any jurisdiction, other than England and Wales, which would have any implication in relation to the opinions expressed herein. For the purposes of this opinion we have reviewed photocopies/certified copies or originals of the following documents: 1. Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company. 2. Board Minutes of the Company dated 19 October 2000. 3. Minutes of an Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders of the Company dated 19 October 2000. 4. Reorganization Agreement 5. Such other corporate records and documents of the Company as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for the purpose of this opinion. We have made no investigation of and express no opinion in relation to the laws of any jurisdiction other than England and Wales. This opinion is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales and is limited to and is given on the basis of the current law in practice in England and Wales. We have carried out a search of the microfiche file against the Company on 19 October 2000 at the Companies Registration Office in England and Wales and we have conducted a search of the Registry of Winding up Petitions maintained at the High Courts of Justice, Companies Court in London at Midday on 19 October 2000. On the basis of, and subject to, the foregoing, we are of the opinion that, upon consummation of the Reorganization and Merger and when the Shares are issued and delivered as set forth in the Reorganization Agreement the Shares will be duly authorised, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable (the term non-assessable when used herein means only that the holders of Shares cannot be assessed for or required to make additional capital contributions by virtue of their ownership of the Shares). We are not rendering any opinion on the effectiveness, validity or enforceability of the Reorganization Agreement under the laws of England and Wales. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and the reference to our firm under the section "Legal Matters". It is a condition of our rendering this opinion (which you have acknowledged and agreed to by letter dated [7 August 2000]) that no action or proceedings in connection with this opinion shall be instituted, brought or enforced in any Court or Tribunal except the High Court of Justice in England. Yours faithfully /s/ Orchard Orchard