Betika, one of Kenya's leading betting platforms, is standing its ground amidst a legal dispute with one of its customers, Nelson Kipkogei Melly, who claims that the company has withheld his winnings totalling Sh477,590 (four hundred and seventy-seven thousand, five hundred and ninety).
In response, Betika issued a comprehensive statement addressing the allegations and providing its perspective on the matter.
According to Betika, the controversy stems from a virtual bet placed by Nelson Kipkogei Melly on the morning of October 16, 2023.
Melly was indeed credited with the Sh477,590 in winnings, and it was subsequently claimed that the company failed to pay out this amount.
However, Betika strongly refutes these allegations and offers a detailed account of the events following the initial win.
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"We confirm that on 16th October 2023 at 05:46 a.m, Your Client placed a virtual bet- BET ID: 5879432 with a stake amount of Kshs. 113,712.00 using account number 254705089850 and won Kshs. 477,590 at 08:56 a.m. Your Client was paid the winnings and such winnings credited to his Betika wallet," Betika said in a statement.
The company also alleged that at 9:01 a.m., at the end of the auto-play round, Melly withdrew Sh70,000 from his Betika wallet.
Shortly after, at 9:03 a.m., he withdrew an additional Sh7,500 to his Mpesa account.
Betika asserts that these actions clearly demonstrate Melly's awareness of his account activity and balance.
"At 09:01 a.m, at the end of the auto-play round, Your Client withdrew Kshs. 70,000.00 and at 09:03 a.m he withdrew an additional Kshs. 7,500.00 from his Betika wallet to his Mpesa account," the statement read.
"From the foregoing, Your Client, being an avid punter, is well aware of the game mechanics including the auto play feature as evidenced by his game play. Furthermore, his withdrawal of Kshs. 70,000.00 and Kshs. 7,500.00 show that Your Client was well aware of his account activity and account balance."
In line with their General Terms and Conditions, Betika emphasizes that a customer is responsible for all bets placed on their account.
In light of the alleged withdrawal actions taken by Melly, the company argues that he fully utilized his winnings of Sh477,590.
Furthermore, they claim that this position was thoroughly explained to Melly through a telephone call with their customer care agent on the same day of the alleged dispute.
"It is our position that Your Client fully utilized his winnings of Kshs. 477,500.00 as enumerated above and that no winnings are due or payable to Your Client," Betika stated.
"We further note that the above position was fully explained to Your Client through a telephone call with our customer care agent on 16th October 2023."
Betika concluded its statement by asserting that they retain their legal rights in this matter and are fully prepared to defend any legal action initiated by Melly, with any associated costs and liabilities to be borne by him.
The case raises important questions about the responsibilities and accountabilities of both customers and betting companies in the realm of online gambling.
As the legal proceedings continue, the outcome will determine whether Nelson Kipkogei Melly's claims hold or if Betika's position will be upheld in a court of law.
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