In a startling case of deception, a betting company, Bezbets, faced the wrath of justice as Harare magistrate Simon Kandiyero imposed a fine on them for defrauding a punter of his rightful winnings amounting to $5400.
The punter, who had placed a bet with US$394, found himself entangled in a legal battle when Bezbets refused to honor his substantial winnings, alleging improper use of funds.
Despite the punter’s victorious outcome, the magistrate’s ruling fell short of ordering any form of restitution, leaving the aggrieved individual not only devoid of his winnings but also out of the initial sum he had used to place the bet.
Representing Bezbets, Robson Chinamasa, faced the magistrate’s verdict and was remanded to await sentencing, scheduled for Friday.
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The heart of the matter lies in Bezbets’ dubious tactics, where they selectively enforced rules and regulations, depriving the punter of his rightful earnings while turning a blind eye to similar instances in the past.
The punter’s defense rested on the absence of explicit terms and conditions governing the game in question, arguing that previous interactions with Bezbets had not elicited any objections to his betting practices.
Magistrate Kandiyero’s ruling resoundingly condemned Bezbets’ dishonest practices, labeling their actions as fraudulent. He noted the company’s glaring double standards, acting swiftly only when losses were incurred while conveniently ignoring discrepancies in the punter’s favor.
The case took a peculiar turn when Bezbets retaliated by filing a counter charge of fraud against the punter. However, the National Prosecuting Authority declined to pursue the matter due to insufficient evidence.
This legal saga underscores the need for transparency and integrity within the betting industry, as punters remain vulnerable to exploitation by unscrupulous entities.
