EXHIBIT 5.1

September 24, 2001

World Gaming plc
The CIBC Banking Centre
Old Parham Road, PO Box 3265
St. John's, Antigua

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We act as special legal counsel in England and Wales to World Gaming
plc (the "Company" or "World Gaming") and are familiar with the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 filed on or about September 24, 2001 by the Company,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933
(the "S-8 Registration Statement"). The S-8 Registration Statement relates to
the registration of a total of 15,000,000 ordinary shares, (pounds)
0.002 par value, of the Company (the "Ordinary Shares") to be represented by
the World Gaming American Depositary Shares which may be issued pursuant to
the World Gaming plc 2001 Share Option Plan (the "Plan").

In arriving at the opinions expressed below, we have examined and relied on the
following documents: (a) the Memorandum of Association of the Company, as
amended; (b) the Articles of Association of the Company, as amended; (c) the
Plan; and (d) the records of meetings and consents of the Board of Directors and
stockholders of the Company provided to us by the Company. In addition, we have
examined and relied on the certificates of officers and representatives of the
Company, and we have made such investigations of English law, as we have deemed
appropriate as a basis for the opinions expressed below but not further or
otherwise.

         Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the exceptions, qualifications
and limitations set forth herein, we are of the opinion that when the S-8
Registration Statement shall have become effective and the Ordinary Shares have
been issued in accordance with the terms of the Plan and as contemplated in the
S-8 Registration Statement:

         (a)      such Ordinary Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and
                  non-assessable (the term non-assessable when used herein means
                  only that the holders of the Ordinary Shares cannot be
                  assessed for or required to make additional capital
                  contributions by virtue of their ownership of the Ordinary
                  Shares).

         (b)      World Gaming will have paid or cause to be paid all taxes,
                  duties, stamps or other governmental charges, if any, which
                  were payable to the Commissioners of Inland Revenue in the
                  United Kingdom on the original issue of the Ordinary Shares to
                  be represented by the World Gaming American Depository Shares
                  and the deposit of those Ordinary Shares with the Depositary
                  in connection with the transactions contemplated by the S-8
                  Registration Statement by way of stamp duty reserve tax
                  ("SDRT") payable in England, subject to any elections by the
                  Company made under the Plan for option holders to pay such
                  liability to SDRT.





         This Opinion is subject to the following exceptions, qualifications and
limitations:

         Specifically, but without prejudice to the final paragraph below:

         (a)      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;

         (b)      we have further assumed that a sufficient number of duly
                  authorized and unissued Ordinary Shares will be available for
                  issuance at the time options under the Plan are exercised, in
                  accordance with the terms thereof; and that the consideration
                  received by the Company in respect of each such Ordinary Share
                  will be no less than its par value;

         (c)      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 hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
S-8 Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not admit that we are
in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission.

         This opinion is being delivered and is intended for use solely in
regard to the transactions contemplated by the S-8 Registration Statement and
may not be used, circulated, quoted in whole or in part or otherwise referred to
for any purpose without our prior written consent and may not be relied upon by
any person or entity other than the Company, its successors and assigns. This
Opinion relates to World Gaming only and not to any other company or person
involved in the transactions contemplated by the S-8 Registration Statement
and is in respect of Ordinary Shares issued after the date of this opinion.
This opinion is based upon our knowledge of law of England and Wales and facts
as of its date. We assume no duty to communicate to you with respect to any
matter which comes to our attention hereafter.


                                                Very truly yours,

                                                /s/ Altheimer & Gray