A significant class action trial has commenced in the Supreme Court of Victoria, targeting the online betting giant Sportsbet over its use of a service known as Fast Code. The legal proceedings, brought by Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, represent thousands of customers who placed in-play bets on sporting events between December 2018 and December 2024. At the heart of the dispute is whether the Fast Code system, which allowed users to place live bets by reciting a code over the phone, complied with federal gambling regulations.
Under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, betting on sporting events after they have started is generally prohibited in Australia. A narrow exception exists only if the wager is placed entirely by telephone. The plaintiffs allege that the Fast Code service bypassed this requirement because essential details of the bet were communicated through the company's app or website rather than exclusively via a voice call. Consequently, the lawsuit claims that these betting contracts were illegal and that Sportsbet engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct by representing the service as lawful.
Sportsbet has consistently denied these allegations and is actively defending the claim. The outcome of this trial could have broad implications for the Australian wagering industry, as it tests the boundaries of how digital platforms must adhere to traditional telephone-based betting laws. The court has already approved a Group Costs Order, allowing the legal firm to charge a 33% fee of any recovery, reflecting the high level of risk and novelty involved in the litigation.
As the trial proceeds, the court will examine whether the Fast Code system effectively circumvented the law or provided a legitimate, compliant alternative for in-play wagering. Thousands of customers who lost money using the service are automatically included in the class action unless they chose to opt out by the February deadline. The result will determine whether Sportsbet is required to provide refunds for these losses, marking a potential turning point for consumer protection in the gambling sector.