Betting company's property attached

Bezbets, an online betting company, has had its assets seized by the Messenger of Court due to a debt of US$5,400 owed to a punter in Harare.

The attached assets comprise television sets, boardroom chairs, a printer, a refrigerator, and other items. Additionally, the company has been instructed to pay interest on the outstanding amount at a rate of 5% per annum from October 2023 until the date of full settlement.

This action follows a court order issued by the civil court after Bezbets declined to pay the punter, alleging the use of unconventional methods to win the bet.

Initially, the punter brought the matter to the Harare Magistrates Court, where he secured a favorable judgment in March of this year. Subsequently, he initiated civil proceedings to recover his US$5,400 prize.

In her ruling, Civil Court magistrate Sharon Mashavira granted a default judgment, ordering Bezbets to pay the punter US$5,400 in damages for breach of contract, to be settled in the local currency at the prevailing exchange rate upon payment.

According to court documents, on October 26, 2023, the punter placed a bet of US$394 on the roulette via the Bezbets online platform and won US$5,400. However, the company refused to remit the full amount, offering only US$1,800, alleging a violation of betting regulations.\