A BRITISH betting giant unlawfully accepted bets from Ireland since the beginning of the month, it has emerged.
Sportingbet became aware of a change of regulation which made transactions from Ireland void.
The bookies has between 19,000 and 20,000 Irish customers – many of whom placed bets during the almost three-week period where Sportingbet were unable to legally accept the wagers.
The news is bittersweet for Irish gamblers.
Though they will have to take their custom elsewhere, those who wagered successfully will keep their winnings and those who lost bets will have their money refunded.
A licencing issue is behind the problem – and Sportingbet will now no longer operate their Sport and Virtual Sport betting services in Ireland as a result.
A new law came into effect in Ireland at the beginning of August which stated any externally based bookmakers must obtain an Irish licence in order to continue remotely accepting bets from Irish customers.
On Saturday @Sportingbet_com accepted this bet. On Tuesday, when the selection is trading at 10/1, they sent me this pic.twitter.com/CBtGxeKyHJ
— Roy The Boy (@RoyTheBoyF1) August 18, 2015
A representative for Sportingbet told The Irish Post that the company was made aware of the problem.
“We have been made aware of a situation in our Irish operations and we are looking into the matter,” he said.
“Our early understanding is that a handful of Irish customers were affected. We are honouring all bets made since 1 August as is our tradition.”
Sportingbet also contacted all of the customers effected to notify them of the issue.
In an email sent to Irish customers, the bookies said: “As a result of regulatory changes we will no longer be able to offer our Sports betting and Virtual Sports services to Irish customers.
“Any non-settled bets will be voided and the funds returned to your Sportingbet account.”
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