BETTING OR FRAUD: How SportyBet cunning Nigerians over unpaid N950m winnings

Multiple Nigerian authorities have received petitions from more than 100 dissatisfied customers of an online sports betting platform. These customers allege that the company has withheld their winnings, which surpass N950 million, and has also restricted access to their accounts.

Prolex Solicitors, a Nigerian law firm, has issued a call for a comprehensive investigation into the operations of an online sports betting platform. The firm is legally representing more than 100 clients who have made allegations against SportyBet, claiming that the platform has failed to honor their rightful winnings.

Investigation revealed that many customers have been complaining about their winnings not paid while many were not given access to operate their accounts.

This was even as Betner’s recent controversy with Sportybet over some issues raised concerns about potential inadequate customer service.

One user, who began using Sportybet in November 2023, claims to have initially deposited N5 million .

After successfully growing his account balance to nearly N18 million following successive winnings, he could no longer access his account as Sportybet had locked him out.

“I have been in contact with their customer care agent since then and anytime I provide the documents they requested from me, they will request for more ridiculous ones. The last request was my international passport.

“I have pleaded and begged them to reopen the account to no avail,’’ the man, Anthony Anozie, said.

This experience appears to be far from unique.

Several other users have come with similar stories.

One described having his account locked despite submitting requested document like bank statements. Communication with customer service has reportedly ceased entirely, leaving them with no answers and trapped funds.

“My problem with Sporty Bet is that my account has been locked for some time now and they refused to open it.

“I have sent the required documents their customer care agent asked me to send via email yet my account remains locked. Please I would like my account to be reopened. Thank you”, Aleke Esther shared her experience.

Another user specifically highlights the issue of account frozen upon attempting withdrawals.

They claim Sportybet requested verification documents like bank statements and even a passport, which were all submitted, yet their account remained frozen.

This user, along with many others, described months of unanswered calls, emails, and chats with customer service representatives offering no solutions. These accounts paint a concerning picture of potential customer exploitation. Locked accounts, unresponsive customer service, and seemingly arbitrary verification requests raise serious questions about Sportybet’s practices.

SportyBet attempted to justify their actions by alleging that the customers used “bot technology” and “illegal automated bets”, which prevented them from either getting their winnings or have access to their accounts.

However, independent IT experts have debunked these claims, raising questions about the legitimacy of SportyBet’s defense

As more users come forward, the need for a thorough investigation into these allegations becomes increasingly clear.

The need to involve anti-graft agencies and other regulatory bodies became imperative.

It was on this basis that over 100 customers of the online sports betting platform, SportyBet, who were refused payment of their winnings totaling over N950 million and access their accounts, took a decisive action in response to the company’s claims of fraudulent activity. This follows recent reports from IT experts who cast reasonable doubt on SportyBet’s accusations.

Unhappy with SportyBet’s explanation for withholding winnings, a group of affected customers have filed petitions with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Police Special Fraud Unit (SFU), the Force Intelligence and Investigation Department (FIID), the National Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC).

The customers’ petitions, coupled with the IT experts’ findings, paint a concerning picture for SportyBet. These actions suggest the customers may have been unfairly denied their winnings. By seeking intervention from relevant authorities, the customers hope for a thorough investigation and a fair resolution.

The involvement of the EFCC and the Police Special Fraud Unit highlights the seriousness of the situation. These organizations specialise in tackling financial crimes and fraud. Their involvement suggests a deeper look into SportyBet’s practices may be necessary.

The customers deserve clear explanations and transparency from SportyBet. With independent experts raising doubts about fraudulent activity, the responsibility falls on SportyBet to provide concrete evidence to justify their actions.

Customers who play by the rules deserve fair treatment and to receive their rightful winnings. The outcome of this case will be closely watched, as it has the potential to set a precedent for future disputes.