Student to sue Bet365 for over refused £1m payout

A student from Northern Ireland has launched legal action against Bet365 after accusing the gambling operator of refusing to pay out a winning bet of just over £1m (€1.1m/$1.3m).

According to The Telegraph newspaper, Megan McCann has lodged a writ in the High Court in Northern Ireland against Hillside (UK Sports) LP, the firm that operates Bet365.

McCann said she is owed £1,009,960 by Bet365 after betting £24,960 on 12 different horses in various races, winning £985,000 as a result.

However, Bet365 has so far refused to pay out on the bet, stating that McCann is in “flagrant breach” of its terms and conditions as it is convinced that the original stake was provided by a “third party”.

The wager involved 960 £13 each-way ‘Lucky 15’ bets on 12 horses running in races on June 22, 2016, but after Bet365 refused to pay out on the bet, McCann, who denies any wrongdoing, contacted lawyers and moved to sue the company for breach of contract.

The Telegraph understands that Bet365 had initially agreed to pay out on the bet, with a representative on the Bet365 online chat service congratulating McCann on her win.

The following day, McCann said that she was contacted by Bet365 and correctly answered a series of questions before being told her money would be processed within 48 hours.

However, McCann’s Bet365 account was suspended and closed, with no money being transferred – including the original £24,960 stake.

McCann’s lawyers are basing their case on the operator’s ‘no third party’ rule, which states that a bet must be put up by the customer alone.

The rule is included in the Bet365 terms and conditions, but McCann’s lawyers have argued that these are “too lengthy, too complex and much too vague for the average customer to understand”.

In a legal letter seen by The Telegraph, McCann’s legal team said: “Our client’s case is very straightforward. She placed a bet with your client. She won. She is entitled to her winnings.”

However, in response, Bet365 lawyers said: “You claim that this dispute is simply about your client placing a bet; and being entitled to winnings.

“This is wrong; it is a case in which your client has been operating the account… using the funds of and for the benefit of third parties, in flagrant breach of our client’s terms.

“Our client has reasonable grounds to suspect your client to be guilty of criminal offences including fraud by false representation; cheating or attempted cheating.”

A spokesman for bet365 has also said: “A full investigation has been carried out into the circumstances of the bet that was placed.

“Bet365 is entirely satisfied the circumstances are such that winnings are not payable in relation to it.

“We expect this position to be upheld at trial. We are not prepared to comment further whilst litigation is ongoing.”

The case continues.

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