Classic Sports Betting, a Windhoek-based gambling company, has frozen the gambling account of one of the seven betting winners who questioned a technical error in their system which resulted in their winnings worth N$51 000 being declared null and void.
The gambler in question, David Mbuika Ndalilashiwa (39), was one of the seven hopefuls who earlier this month told The Namibian that they had won the money only to be told upon collection of the money that their winnings would not be paid out due to a technical glitch.A gaming account is an account established by a casino/betting company licensee that a patron shall use for the deposit and withdrawal of funds used for betting.
Classic betting founder Junias Shaahamange on Monday confirmed that the gambler’s account has been blocked and that they plan to take him to court after inquiring through a third party (the media) regarding how the technical error came about. Ndalilashiwa and six other winners approached The Namibian on condition of anonymity after complaining that the betting company was not answering their questions. He has since agreed that he can be identified.
Shaahamange argued that the gamblers failed to lodge their complaints with his company and instead opted to go to the media.
“Why do they still want to make use of our services if they have been aggrieved before? Stay away from us since we are not providing a better service to you. Go to those that are providing the service you want,” Shaahamange said.
He argued that they have frozen the gambler’s accounts because they did not follow the instructions on their website.
“It is clearly indicated on the website that should anything happen, the event will be cancelled and in this case the cancellation happened before the win,” he said.
When asked about the guidelines and regulations in terms of freezing accounts, Shaahamange could not provide the requested highlighted clauses of their terms and conditions.
Ndalilashiwa told The Namibian he was allegedly threatened for speaking out.
“I received a message that thanked me for tarnishing their name and informed me that we would soon meet in court,” he said.
He added that Classic Sports Betting reimbursed the remaining funds on his account before freezing it.
Ndalilashiwa placed a bet with N$24 at Classic Sports Betting. Bets were placed two weeks ago and they were informed of the storno status two days later.
“I further attempted to try and create a different account because I wanted to bet, however, the institution still blocked me and sent more threats. I launched a complaint with the gambling board and I am awaiting their feedback,” the aggrieved gambler said. The Gambling Board of Namibia confirmed receipt of the complaint from one of the aggrieved gamblers (Ndalilashiwa), however, they can only provide a response and communication once the board has convened.
The date of the next meeting is yet to be announced.
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