Gambler sues bet shop

Daniel Nemukuyu Senior Court Reporter
A Harare gambler who correctly predicted the soccer bet on four consecutive days in April this year is now embroiled in a bitter legal wrangle with Africa Bet Soccer shop to recover his winning price of $10 910. Mr Donely Magaisa is suing for the principal debt plus interest at the rate of five percent per annum from the date of issue of summons to the date of payment in full.

The bettor claims he correctly predicted soccer matches in the bet shops in the city, but the company was now refusing to pay him his dues. Through his lawyer Ms Jacqueline Sande of Sande Legal Practice, Mr Magaisa has issued summons at the High Court claiming the money. He is also seeking an order compelling Africa Bet Soccer shop to pay costs of suit. The court case is likely to generate a great deal of interest among addict risk-takers, who are always in the bet shops.

Mr Magaisa claims that on April 26 this year, around 7:46pm, he placed a bet for Italy Series soccer match at the Rezende Street bet shop in Harare. He correctly predicted the match and won $2 150. The same day around 8pm, Mr Magaisa successfully betted and won an additional $268. On April 27, Mr Magaisa took another risk and won $1 075. On April 28, he successfully placed two separates and won a total of $3 225. His last successful prediction was on April 29 where he won a total of $4 192,50. Trouble arose when he sought to recover the $10 910 from the bet shops.

“Upon redeeming the total winning from the shops, defendant refused to pay out the total winnings citing that the odds for the seven bets played on four consecutive days were incorrect, hence the defendant offered to reimburse the amount for the stake only and not the winning amount.

“Defendant through a letter dated August 22 2017, further refused to pay out the total winnings citing that the contract entered between plaintiff and defendant was unenforceable since it was contrary to public policy, hence the claim has no legal basis,” reads part of the plaintiff’s declaration. Africa Bet Soccer shop is yet to respond to the claim.