Court: Bet-At-Home Must Refund Punter

A court in Austria has ruled that Malta licensed betting firm Bet-At-Home must repay a punter who lost €950,000 while playing roulette through its online software.

The man who lost the funds submitted the case after he stole the money from his employer to feed his gambling addiction. The case was originally dismissed by the Austrian Court of First Instance before it was heard by the High Court on appeal.

Speaking about his decision, the Judge on the case said: "Gambling offered without a proper Austrian concession will result in the contract between the plaintiff and online roulette provider being deemed illegal and ineffective. The plaintiff is entitled to a full refund of monies spent".

The punter's lawyer Christian Horwarth said that the court's decision was groundbreaking and that: "The Austrian law has been applied. This is essential and player protection is viewed positively."

Lawyers for Bet-At-Home Founders Jochen Dickinger and Franz Ömer argued that the company's gaming Malta gaming license is valid within Austria, but the court found that without a unified regulatory system in Europe that member states were free to make rulings that would protect their citizens.

Bet-At-Home's lawyers confirmed that they will appeal the ruling.

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