A Kenyan gambler, Nelson Melly, has issued a stern ultimatum to leading gambling firm Betika.
In a demand letter sent through his lawyer, Isaac Okinyo, Melly is demanding the payout of his substantial winnings, amounting to Ksh477,590, which he claims to have won on Betika’s virtual betting platform.
The gambler has given the company a mere 24 hours to fulfill his demand, failing which he threatens to take the matter to court.
This legal showdown has already attracted the attention of regulatory bodies such as the Data Protection Agency (DTA) and the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) due to allegations that Betika accessed Melly’s account to place bets on other teams in an attempt to justify the loss of the winning amount.
The Claim
According to Melly, a regular punter on the Betika platform, he placed a virtual bet worth Sh113,712 on October 16, 2023, around 5 am.
To his delight, he won a substantial sum of Sh477,590. However, the company has allegedly refused to honor his winnings, and instead, there are accusations that they accessed his account to place bets on different teams in an apparent bid to avoid paying out the winning amount.
Legal Action
Isaac Okinyo, the lawyer representing Melly, has laid down a clear ultimatum to Betika. He has instructed the company to admit liability within the next 24 hours from October 18, 2023.
This ultimatum is aimed at addressing the issue of damages payable to Mr. Melly and to settle the matter amicably.
Failing compliance with this ultimatum, the lawyer has warned Betika that they have
“mandatory instructions to institute legal proceedings against you for recovery to protect our client’s interest at your own risk to the sequel costs.”
The seriousness of these legal threats is underscored by the fact that copies of the letter have been sent to the BCLB and the DTA.
The standoff between Nelson Melly and Betika has escalated significantly, with the gambler’s lawyer demanding swift payment of his winnings.
Melly has made it clear that he will not hesitate to initiate legal proceedings if Betika fails to admit liability within the given 24-hour ultimatum.
With the involvement of regulatory bodies, this case has the potential to shed light on the integrity and transparency of the gambling industry in Kenya.
The ball is now in Betika’s court, and the clock is ticking as the gambling giant faces the risk of a legal battle that could significantly impact its reputation.
