Ben Volodin: Ex Pier Hotel, Banksmeadow manager convicted of fraud
A drunk Sydney pub manager who, while manning the bar, bet $78,000 on the TAB using company money has been sentenced. The court heard most wagers were on virtual horse races.
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A drunk Sydney pub manager who, while manning the bar, unleashed a spectacular $78,000 gambling splurge on virtual horse races using company money has been sentenced.
Ben Volodin, of Matraville, arrived at the Pier Hotel in Banksmeadow about 5pm on January 16 as duty manager, responsible for paperwork, pouring drinks and manning the TAB terminals.
Across the next 12 hours, the court heard the drunk 32-year-old placed a whopping 110 bets – totalling a staggering $77,379.50 – on TAB terminals. Volodin fraudently entered the bets, which ranged from $20 to $8000, as if they were for a patron but never received any cash.
The police facts, tendered to the court, stated licensed venues would hold money used in patron bets as a trustee for TAB Corp.
“At no point in time does TAB allow bets by venue employees during their shift duties,” the police facts stated.
The court heard most of the bets were placed on virtual horse races.
The next day TAB Corp’s senior investigator was on the case and after alerting the Pier Hotel owner, Oscars Hotel, CCTV footage confirmed Volodin as the reckless gambler.
The splurge ultimately cost the venue $46,738 after 30 of his wagers returning $30,000.
Oscars Hotel has paid the sum to TAB Corp with Volodin, who was immediately sacked, ordered to pay back.
Volodin’s lawyer told the court his actions were “unplanned and unsophisticated” and came as his life spiralled out of control following a relationship breakdown, which saw him abusing cocaine and alcohol. The 32-year-old was also repaying a loan after lending money to a friend.
Magistrate Kate Thompson said Volodin had abused a position of trust and sentenced the man to a 14-month jail sentence to be served in the community.
The man, who now works as a cleaner, was also ordered to undergo counselling, abstain from alcohol and drugs and complete 80 hours of community service.