Show me the money: punter demands $10,000
One Bombers fan celebrated like a Tiger when Dustin Martin claimed the Norm Smith — it was the final leg of a multi that would have paid $10,112. But with the betting company refusing to pay out, he is now considering legal action.
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An unlucky punter who says he was short-changed $10,000 by a betting company is weighing up legal action as the bookie remains silent about the issue.
BetEasy is refusing to answer questions about why it paid out a multibet to a footy fan in the wake of Richmond’s AFL Grand Final win but not his friend who backed the same legs.
Essendon fan Adrian Clemente celebrated like a Richmond supporter when the Tigers won their second premiership in three years last month, convinced he was set for a financial windfall.
Mr Clemente stood to win $10,112 after placing a three leg multi with BetEasy on a Richmond flag, Dustin Martin Norm Smith Medal and Jeremy Cameron winning the Coleman Medal.
He thought there was extra reason to celebrate when his best mate made the same bet and was paid out by BetEasy following Richmond’s barnstorming win against Greater Western Sydney.
But Mr Clemente said BetEasy was refusing to honour his bet, despite claiming he twice checked with the agency that it would be valid before taking the $204.06 punt.
“Twice they said ‘yes, 100 per cent’,’’ he said.
“So I phoned my best friend and said ‘This is great value. Get on’.’’
His best mate Hayden Lewis took his advice, placing a $101 multi and was paid $5005 by BetEasy after Martin’s best on ground game in Richmond’s defeat of the Giants.
The Herald Sun has sent questions to BetEasy asking why one bet was honoured but not the other and whether the agency would consider honouring the wager.
The company has so far refused to comment.
Mr Clemente today said: “I will certainly consider legal action if necessary.”
He said there was no obvious reason the betting agency paid his winnings but not his mate who “I definitely owe a beer’’.
“The only thing I can think of is that his payout would have been more,’’ Mr Lewis said.
“It’s exactly the same bet, made on the same day and the odds are exactly the same.’’
The corporate bookmaker has instead offered Mr Clemente $2385 but he is demanding full payment.
“I’m not taking the money, I don’t accept their offer,’’ he said.
BetEasy’s terms and conditions state “we reserve the right to void and refund a bet if legs are related in a multi bet’’.
But Mr Clemente said he was not only able to place the bet through his BetEasy account, it was only cancelled after Cameron kicked seven goals to win the Coleman.
“I’m sure if I lost the first leg they would have kept my money,’’ Mr Clemente said.
“It got to the point where Cameron won the Coleman, about 30 days after the money was put on, they said ‘we’re cancelling the bet’.
“But they didn’t cancel by mate’s bet, just mine.’’
Mr Clemente is considering legal action, claiming BetEasy’s terms and conditions were not clear at the point of purchase.
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He has filed a complaint with the Northern Territory Racing Commission, where BetEasy is licensed.
“I’m sure I am not the only person they have done this to,’’ he said.
“This seems a very sinister practice they are doing — picking and choosing when to use their terms and conditions to maximise their chances of winning.
“Not a fair system.’’