Court Orders 159 Gamblers to Return R13 Million Won From Betting Glitch
The Pietermaritzburg High Court has ruled that 159 gamblers must pay back R13 million they collectively won after exploiting a technical fault in an online betting game.
The case stems from December 2023, when players placed wagers on Betgames Instant Lucky 7, a lottery-style game offered by Hollywood sportsbook KwaZulu-Natal (Pty) Ltd.
Also Read: Mzansibet’s Use of Data Analytics in In-Play Sports Betting – A Unique Approach
Gamblers Exploited Glitch
According to IOL, the game, which was created by a third-party provider, allowed participants to place bets every 30 seconds.
A system glitch meant that the wagers were not deducted from players’ accounts, effectively letting them gamble without risking their deposits.
Punters quickly noticed the loophole and took advantage, with winnings ranging from R3,000 to nearly half a million rand.
One of the players, Nsikayesizwe Thobelani Gcabashe, told the court that he deposited R50 on December 28 and R850 the following day. Over four days, he placed 40 bets and won R443,700, which he later withdrew and transferred into his personal bank account.
Hollywood Demands Repayment
When Hollywood identified the error, the company contacted all winners, requesting they return the funds.
The gamblers refused, prompting Hollywood to approach the court. Judge Jacqueline Henriques initially issued a temporary order in January 2024 in favour of Hollywood, and this week, Judge Robin Mossop SC upheld the company’s claim.
Judge’s Final Ruling
In his judgment, Judge Mossop dismissed arguments by the players who insisted they had followed the rules.
“The respondents gambled for free.
“The wagers placed by the respondents through the impugned game were not valid. It must follow, therefore, that the respondents were not entitled to the winnings that they received from the impugned game and that they must be returned to the applicant,” he declared.
Judge Mossop further noted that the gamblers’ affidavits were nearly identical, differing only in the amounts won. However, he did not find evidence of a coordinated scheme to defraud Hollywood.
“The respondents are scattered all over the province and the country, and are not confined to a specific area, nor has any relationship been established that links them one to the other,” he explained.
Bank Accounts Frozen
The court also ordered several banks — including Capitec, Absa, African Bank, Discovery, and Nedbank — to freeze the accounts of the affected players until the funds are returned to Hollywood.
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The post High Court Orders 159 Gamblers to Repay R13 Million Won From Betting Glitch appeared first on iHarare News.
