Gambler Who Sued Bookie for $406,000 Drunk Betting Loss Now Co-Owns Multiple Online Betting Sites
By [Your Masthead]
Key Sentence: A 75-year-old former plaintiff who successfully sued a bookmaker for accepting a $406,000 bet from him while he was intoxicated is now part-owner of a network of online betting companies.
Winton Veall, 75, previously made headlines in 2022 when he sued Merlehan Bookmaking, which operates as TopSport, after losing $406,000 in a two-hour betting session that he claimed occurred while he was drunk. That case was settled out of court.
But Veall's role in the gambling industry has changed dramatically. He is now co-owner and co-director of Betting Services, a private company that operates 15 online bookmaker sites in New South Wales. The sites include BetNow, PuntZone, BetNova, DashBet, and MidasBet.
In addition, Veall is co-owner and co-director of OnlyBets, a bookmaker licensed in Victoria. His business partner in that venture is Da He, a former employee of Tabcorp and Bet365.
A Punner's Dispute Highlights Business Practices
A punter named Nate recently reported a dispute with BetNow, one of Veall's sites. He placed a winning first-four bet on a Mildura harness race worth $2,598.55. However, BetNow paid him only $2,000 for the exotic bet.
The company cited a term and condition that caps payouts for such bets at $2,000. Nate’s account was then frozen for suspected breach of terms.
After inquiries from this masthead, BetNow paid the additional $598.55 as a goodwill gesture.
Veall's Defense and Online Reputation
Veall dismissed the idea that his lawsuit has any bearing on his current business. "It’s a mutually exclusive situation... like me being a car dealer... I sue him – that’s the best analogy I can give you," he said.
He added that Da He runs the online sites, while Veall focuses on other aspects. Da He did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
Regarding the dispute with Nate, Veall stated: "To my knowledge we have never had any difficulty with any of our clients."
Online reviews for OnlyBets are predominantly negative, with users citing difficulties with verification and withdrawals. DashBet, another of his sites, received some positive feedback for customer service.
Background on a Wealthy Family
Veall is a member of a wealthy Toorak family. His grandfather founded a chain of electrical stores that later diversified into property. His brothers, Martin and Duncan, own Timana Island in north Queensland.
Veall still owns property near Cairns.
The Original Lawsuit and Industry Context
In the original 2022 lawsuit, the writ alleged that Veall told the TopSport bookmaker he was drunk, and a staff member joked about placing his number on speed dial. The losing bets were placed via phone on gallops, harness racing, and greyhound racing.
Liquor & Gaming NSW noted that betting providers set their own terms and conditions, which must comply with laws and consumer protections. No formal complaints or investigations have been reported against Veall and Da He's sites.
Punner's Frustration
Nate expressed frustration with BetNow's actions. "It was not only unfair, it didn’t make any sense... They accepted multiple deposits... and never once said my account was not verified," he said.