Episode 90 Harry Stewart-Moore: Bettors’ Rights, Bookie Disputes & Legal Risks of Multi-Accounting

Returning guest Harry Stewart-Moore, betting lawyer and partner at Gardner Leader, answers listener questions and pulls back the curtain on the toughest legal issues facing bettors in 2025. MULTI ACCOUNTING CHAT What you really need to know about multi-accounting, runners, and beards Why these tactics are under growing scrutiny in the UK, where the legal boundaries sit, and how some bettors are being pulled into cases they never saw coming. Why civil forfeiture cases under the Proceeds of Crime Act are quietly becoming a big issue How funds can be frozen and seized under POCA, what typically triggers these actions, and the steps bettors must take to recover their money. BETTING DISPUTES Why fewer disputes are reaching court even as complaints surge The practical hurdles punters face when trying to litigate against bookmakers. Why overseas firms are so hard to pursue and the loophole that needs closing The service-of-process gap that lets some operators stay beyond reach. ID requests, document checks, and withdrawal blocks Why guidance remains unclear, leading to repeated standoffs. What happens to withheld funds during a stalemate and the 5 percent account-maintenance fee The real-world impact on customers when neither side will budge. MONITORING, OMBUDSMAN & BLACK MARKET The realities of betting-shop compliance How shop punters are tracked and the thresholds that trigger additional checks. Will the proposed ombudsman deliver genuine change or simply mirror IBAS? Harry weighs up the likely scope and limitations of the new body. How a lack of industry solutions is pushing sharp punters toward the black market Why better options are urgently needed before the problem grows. Harry’s solutions to fix racing His straight-talking ideas to protect the sport’s integrity and keep savvy bettors engaged. The need for a campaign to warn unsuspecting users of black-market dangers Education as the first line of defence against shady operators. Why Harry believes the black market poses an existential threat to legal gambling As trust erodes and more money flows outside the regulated space, the long-term health of the licensed betting industry is at risk. Harry also explains why “being in the right” often is not enough when challenging a bookmaker, especially when rules are vague and the firm sits offshore. Discover More: Learn more on the Smart Betting Club and how we help winning bettors at https://smartbettingclub.com/ Harry Stewart-Moore at Gardner Leader: https://www.gardner-leader.co.uk/team... Harry's email: [email protected] Harry on Twitter: @HarryStewartMo1 Podcast feedback - contact SBC on twitter @sbcinfo