Sportsbet being sued by gamblers to recoup their losses

A major law firm has launched a class action against Sportsbet on behalf of a group gamblers trying to recoup their losses. See if you’re eligible.

Gamblers who lost money punting on “live’’ games with Sportsbet are suing the betting giant to recoup their losses.

Major law firm Maurice Blackburn launched the class action late last month on behalf of seven of its customers against the popular betting agency in Victoria’s Supreme Court.

It centres on “in-game’’ bets made during sporting contests, also known as live bets, using Sportsbet’s “Fast Code’’ service.

Its lead plaintiff lost $2307 using the Fast Code service between August, 2019, and December, 2021.

Maurice Blackburn principal, Elizabeth O’Shea.

But the lawsuit will potentially act for thousands of punters who have wagered millions of dollars on in-game bets using the agency’s fast code service in the past six years.

The class action, however, does not include bets placed on horse, harness or greyhound events.

Australian punters cannot place bets on events after the sporting event has started under laws aimed at limiting match-fixing and harm to people with gambling addictions.

But bets can be placed solely over the phone.

In 2023, a ruling by the Australian Media and Communications Agency found several sporting agencies were flouting federal government laws surrounding in-game betting by using their apps to support its in-game betting.

Maurice Blackburn principal Elizabeth O’Shea said the practice was illegal.

“Betting on a sporting event after the event commences is prohibited in Australia. There is an

exception to this if the bet is made wholly by telephone,” Ms O’Shea said.

“We believe that Sportsbet’s use of the Fast Code service is not just an attempt to circumvent

important laws aiming to prevent gambling harm, it is also illegal because key information about the bet is communicated by punters otherwise than by a voice call.”

Ms O’Shea said Sportsbet had engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct contrary to Australian consumer law by representing to its customers that its Fast Code service was legal.

Maurice Blacburn has said the class action is open to anyone who lost money placing one or more in-play bets made after the beginning of a sporting event in the past six years.

Eligible gamblers who lost in-play bets with Sportsbet are encouraged to register their interest on the Maurice Blackburn website.

Sportsbet has been contacted for a response.

Originally published as Sportsbet being sued by gamblers to recoup their losses