Seven individuals have been charged before Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court over alleged fraud against bet365.
According to the prosecution, the defendants – six men and one woman – abused the UK operator’s free introductory betting offer for new customers to obtain free betting credit and move illicit funds to other accounts.
The Institute of Licensing reports that the group used personal data, false representations and criminal transfers to commit the alleged fraud.
Allegations point to Guisseppe Sangiovanni, 35, acting as the ringleader. The group are accused of defrauding bet365 via bonus abuse.
Reports state that Sangiovanni is accused of being in possession of lists of personal details that he used to claim free introductory funds between January 2021-August 2023.
Sangiovanni, who is currently in custody at Oakwood Prison, had his hearing adjourned to 20 August due to video link difficulties at his detention facility.
Patrick White, 31, has been accused of obtaining free betting credit through illicit means and transferring criminal property. He has posted bail, and is scheduled for a hearing at the Gloucester Crown Court in September.
Julian Mackie, 32, is the next defendant facing fraud charges, with his case also adjourned due to technical difficulties with a video link.
Adon Bridgman-Simon, 33, did not make the hearing, with the court stating that no explanation was given for his absence. A warrant without bail has been issued to his name.
Stephianne Black, 31, was charged with supplying Primary Account Numbers while being aware that they may be used with fraudulent intent. She’s also being accused of obtaining bet365 introductory funds on behalf of Sangiovanni. Black has posted bail, and is scheduled to appear at Gloucester Crown Court on 17 September.
Benjamin Leach, 32, and Simeon Redway, 35 – both from Gloucestershire – are also facing fraud and criminal money transfer charges.
Not bet365’s first fraud rodeo
The Stoke-on-Trent-based operator has found itself a target for fraudsters multiple times over recent years.
Back in 2023, a five-year jail sentence was handed to Jon Howard who was found guilty of opening more than 1,000 customer accounts under different aliases to exploit bet365, eventually swindling it out of more than £236,000.
Improved player verification, better AML controls and more sophisticated KYC procedures were later mandated for all UK-based operators thanks to the subsequent Gambling Act Review White Paper.