News & Press

Curley seeks advice over coup payments - Friday 23rd July 2010

Barney Curley is taking legal advice as he flexes his muscles to take on those bookmakers who have still not paid out following his spectacular betting coup of May 10, writes Graham Green.

Four horses, three trained by Curley, were combined in a string of multiples at big odds, and when three of them won many well-known firms were left facing massive payouts as the carefully orchestrated gamble cost the betting industry more than £1 million.

Although many operators have since settled in full, a number have not, and while a complaint has now been lodged with the Independent Betting Adjudication Service (IBAS) in respect of Sportingbet, which Curley claims owe friends of his more than £100,000, he is also keen to bring the non-payments to the attention of the Gambling Commision.

Curley said: "IBAS could rule in our favour, but that's not really the point.

"I am more interested in how the gambling laws operate, and I don't think there has been anybody ever before [to appear in front of] the gambling authority who would have my experience of betting."

He added: "Even if we get paid we're going to the gambling authority, because this is a disgrace. I'm never a believer in just jumping in, because sometimes you jump in and there's no water, so we want to do the whole thing legally.

"I think it's a chance to go to the gambling authority, with my knowledge, and get these things sorted out. All these people are licensed to take bets and at the least excuse they don't pay.

"The gambling authorities have to be told about this and even if we do get paid, this is an opportunity to get betting out in the open - who is licensed, where are they licensed, what excuse do they have not to pay. We're getting the best legal advice and going to the Gambling Commission."

Sportingbet do not discuss customer accounts, but spokesman George Hudson said: "We are proud to conform to the stringent regulations our licence entails and are also a proactive member of the IBAS protection scheme. "