Gamblers in Australia File Lawsuit Against Sportsbet Alleging Illegal Wagers

In a significant development for the Australian betting industry, a class-action lawsuit has been filed against Sportsbet, one of the country's leading betting companies. The lawsuit, filed in the Supreme Court of Victoria on December 24, 2022, targets Sportsbet's "Fast Code" feature, alleging it enabled illegal "in-play" betting, contravening Australia's Interactive Gambling Act (IGA).

The IGA strictly prohibits placing bets on events that have already started unless done via telephone. However, the Fast Code service is said to allow punters to communicate key information about their bets otherwise than by a voice call, which, according to Maurice Blackburn principal Elizabeth O'Shea, is not just an attempt to circumvent important laws aimed at preventing gambling harm, but is also illegal.

The lawsuit argues that all live bets placed using the Fast Code service from December 24, 2018, to December 24, 2024, were unlawful under the IGA. Gamblers involved in the lawsuit have reported substantial financial losses due to the alleged illegal setup of Sportsbet's betting features.

The plaintiffs are demanding the return of millions of dollars in losses incurred through these bets, citing the illegality of the service. If the allegations prove true, Sportsbet faces potential financial repercussions, including the repayment of substantial sums, and severe damage to its reputation.

Key hearings and the presentation of detailed evidence are expected in the legal process, attracting significant attention both nationally and globally. This landmark case has the potential to reshape the landscape of sports betting in Australia, potentially leading to significant legislative and regulatory changes in an industry that is both lucrative and controversial.

Legal experts and industry analysts are closely watching the case, recognizing its potential to influence not only legal outcomes but also future market practices. The outcome of this lawsuit may prompt regulatory bodies to reassess existing laws and enforcement measures to ensure compliance within the industry.

As of the latest updates available up to August 2025, there is no specific publicly reported development related directly to a Sportsbet class-action lawsuit over the Fast Code feature and its alleged violation of the Interactive Gambling Act in Australia. However, monitoring official court records, reputable legal news outlets, or the websites of firms like Maurice Blackburn (which handle gambling class actions) would be advisable for the most current and authoritative information.

The lawsuit could lead to stricter regulations and oversight in the Australian betting industry, which is already under significant scrutiny. The case against Sportsbet could have broader implications for the betting industry in Australia, raising questions about the adequacy of current regulations and the responsibilities of betting platforms in protecting consumers.

Despite the controversy surrounding Sportsbet's Fast Code feature, recent data indicates no specific publicly reported development related directly to a class-action lawsuit over the feature's alleged violation of Australia's Interactive Gambling Act.
The gambling trends in Australia could witness significant shifts, as the lawsuit against Sportsbet over its Fast Code feature has the potential to reshape the landscape of casino-and-gambling and sports-betting industries.
This class-action lawsuit, which targets Sportsbet's Fast Code service, claims that all live casino-games and sports bets placed using the feature were unlawful under the Interactive Gambling Act, citing the illegal nature of the said service.
Legal experts and media outlets alike have been closely following the legal proceedings of the Sportsbet case, with many recognizing its potential to influence not only market practices but also regulatory reforms.
Stephen Conroy, a prominent casino-personality and former Australian Communications Minister, spoke about the lawsuit's potential impact on the industry in a general-news interview last year, stating, "If Sportsbet is found guilty, it could lead to stricter regulations and oversight, which would be beneficial for the well-being of punters involved in responsible-gambling."
The outcome of the Sportsbet lawsuit could have far-reaching consequences, including heightened scrutiny on crime-and-justice aspects relating to illegal gambling activities and an increased emphasis on the responsibilities of betting companies to protect their customers.