BetButler, an online gambling company owned by Andy Hosie and Farepak’s former director – William Rollason, was reported to owe massive amounts of money to thousands of savers around the United Kingdom.
More than a hundred thousand people, mostly Wales citizens, reported that they can no longer gain access to their ‘Christmas cash’ as BetButler has taken close to £40 million from the deposits. This has been happening since 2006.
Those who used BetButler for placing bets are now concerned they may never receive the money they had won from winning bets. The company recently announced its bankruptcy with over £500,000 debt.
Farepak’s Secretary Deb Harvey has requested from BetButler’s secretary an immediate investigation of the company’s ex-director Mr. Rollason. Ms. Harvey reminded the media of her statements in the past that Mr. Rollanson was abusing his position, using the assets of the company in an inappropriate manner: “it was right way back in 2006 when it all went belly up and I said these people are not fit to hold any title in any business of any kind.”
The directors of the online firm BetButler could have saved its financial deficit back in 2006, if they had asked for a loan from the Bank of Scotland which was ready to help online operators. Complaints against BetButler from punters were reported on the Gambling Times’ website.
There are thousands of cases of punters with more than £1,000 card payments, who are refused to receive their payment despite constant complaints. Many punters were promised to receive their payments with an e-mail notice but were never contacted.
This scandal led to the Gambling Commission cancelling BetButler’s gambling permit. The Commission explained its decision by qualifying the company as ‘unsuitable to carry out its licensed activities in a manner which is consistent with the licensing objectives.’
The company has carried out activities contradicting with the clauses of the license agreement. Following that decision, last Friday, BetButler’s website published a statement which informs its clients that a gambling regulatory authority has required the company to provide its financial reports, transaction database and other internal information. The company is obliged to do so in the upcoming few days.
Its former director, Mr. Rollason stepped down in January, but he is still the director of another similar company named BetClearer.
He stated that he did not want to have anything to do with BetButler’s future business decisions. He further blamed his partner, Andy Hosie, of being responsible for all the marketing and advertising decisions. He revealed that the customer’s profiles have been sold to a third party company named Momaco, which will make sure everyone keeps their account balance intact.
Things went even more suspicious when a representative of Momaco said the BetButler client database had been purchased for £1 million, and that the deal had the purpose to cover the former debt of the company. The whole story with BetButler is extremely shady. When the deal with Momaco is completed, it will be clear whether punters can finally receive their deposited cash.
