Gambler sues betting companies after huge losses

An Australian gambler has sued Sportsbet and Beteasy after losing $600,000 to the betting companies.

The plaintiff, identified as Alexander Gassner, was found to have lost $600,000 between August 2, 2015, and June 11, 2021 at the two bookmakers. In the case filed in the Federal Court, Gassner claimed that Beteasy and Sportsbet encouraged him to continue betting despite accumulating considerable losses.

“Beteasy and Sportsbet did not use any of this information to make further enquiries of Mr. Gassner about his ability to sustain large losses or control his gambling behaviour,” the lawsuit stated.

“Instead, Beteasy and Sportsbet promoted gambling to Mr. Gassner and enticed and encouraged him to gamble.”

Mr Gassner’s lawsuit accuses the firms of “unconscionable conduct” and seeks to recover the gambler’s sizeable losses. He is also seeking interest in the amount that was gambled away as well as his legal costs. The gambler claimed that the money he lost while betting was part of his savings in addition to funds intended for his business.

He alleged that while wagering at Beteasy, he lost around AU$485,000 ($323,400). The man stopped using the Beteasy app in September 2020 and was reportedly advised to move to Sportsbet, which he did.

Mr. Gassner lost an additional AU$121,000 ($80,000) on the new gambling platform between September 2020 and June 2021. He stopped placing bets on Sportsbet in June 2021.

A Sportsbet spokesperson released a short statement concerning the lawsuit, declining to say more because the case was already in court.

“Sportsbet takes its approach to responsible gambling very seriously. As the matter is before the court, we do not wish to make any further comment,” the spokesperson said.

A hearing for the case was scheduled for October 27, and by November 3, the issue will be tabled before the court.

Gambling remains an issue in Australia, with several hundred million dollars lost every month. A number of states have introduced or are in the process of implementing new gambling reforms.

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