Sportsbet CEO Barni Evans partied with alleged cheater at a Darwin nightclub

Carter, 36, rose to fame through his company’s partnership with the Penrith Panthers NRL team and through slick social media.

His attorney Nick Hanna told Penrith Magistrates Court this month that his client was a “pathological” gambling addict who was virtually penniless and sued Sportsbet in federal court in a separate civil complaint.

The federal court civil documents were filed by Carter while he is in remand and received by the heraldclaims he placed $70 million in bets between August 2021 and January 2023.

Hanna told the court that the amount Carter actually cheated was only about $6 million, much less than the alleged $26 million. The rest of the millions actually came from Sportsbet, comparing Carter to dollar-for-dollar bets and bonuses, the lawyer told the court.

Carter claims that Sportsbet knew he was showing “red flag behavior” as early as October 2021.

Sportsbet will defend against the allegations made by Carter.

Carter transferred nearly $4.5 million to Sportsbet across 2,440 deposits between April 2021 and October 2021, the court documents said. The accountant claims he lost $859,344 during that period.

Sportsbet sent a “wealth source request” to Carter in October 2021, which included his bank statements, payslips and wealth records, documents say.

Carter reportedly told Sportsbet he co-owned a $1.5 million home in Caddens, a newly established suburb outside Penrith, and about $250,000 worth of cars and boats.

The accountant claims these documents proved to Sportsbet that he had “insufficient funds” to fund his gambling or bear the losses he had suffered up to that point.

‘[Carter] Gambled in a manner characterized by … behaviors exhibited by gambling addicts.”

A lawsuit filed by Sydney accountant Ben Carter against betting company Sportsbet

“[Carter] gambled in a manner characterized by “red flag” behaviors exhibited by addicted gamblers,” his lawsuit reads.

According to court filings, Sportsbet allegedly conducted a second review of Carter’s finances in July 2022.

This time, Carter told Sportsbet that his Caddens home was valued at $1.9 million and that he had shares in Drink West worth $1.2 million and shares in two other companies totaling $400,000 own dollars.

Carter claims that the July 2022 documents once again proved to Sportsbet that he did not have the money to fund his gambling habits since the last check.

At the end of the same month, Sportsbet Carter flew to the Darwin Cup where he met Evans at Darwin nightclub, according to the accountant’s complaint.

The video shows Carter and Evans dancing and singing, reportedly at 12:18 am on August 2, 2022 at the Mayberry Club in Darwin, hours after the horse playoffs won the Darwin Cup.

The couple sing along to the music while Carter blows a kiss and Evans pulls away after a few seconds as the tape ends.

A source close to Sportsbet, who is not allowed to speak publicly, said herald that Carter was just one of many people meeting with Evans throughout the evening.

“This was a very brief interaction, similar to hundreds of others over the week,” the source said.

Carter’s lawsuit alleges that Sportsbet offered him many such “incentives” by flying him across Australia to gamble despite being aware of his financial constraints since October 2021.

The 2022 benefits claimed in the documents included flights and accommodation to the Magic Millions on the Gold Coast, in the country of origin and to the rugby league grand finals in Sydney and the Melbourne Cup.

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According to Carter’s filings, Sportsbet controls around 42 percent of Australia’s gambling market and told a Senate inquiry in 2016 that it had a responsibility to help customers stay in control of their bets.

Carter claims the betting company did not set a deposit limit on his account, encouraged him to self-exclude or seek assistance, nor “created a safe and secure environment that minimized the harm associated with problem gambling.”

The accountant said he lost $5 million while suffering from a “particular disadvantage”, namely his uncontrollable urge to gamble, which he claims Sportsbet took advantage of.

He demands damages, interest and costs.

Sportsbet declined to respond to the specific claims made in Carter’s court documents.

“It is not appropriate for us to comment except to confirm that we will defend this civil complaint and will file our response within the time limit set by the court,” a spokesman said.

“Sportsbet recognizes its responsibility to customers and the community and to continually improving our policies and procedures.”

Documents from Carter’s criminal case show that he was serving as Drink West’s chief financial officer when he allegedly stole $400,000 from an investor looking to buy stock.

The brewer severed ties with Carter in July 2022, the same month he was flown to Darwin, but the reason is unknown.

Police claimed this month Carter scammed at least eight customers, locals and small businesses, to fund his “lavish lifestyle and gambling habits.”

Carter’s partner, Amy Steele, 25, was also charged by NSW Police earlier this month. Steele was charged with reckless handling of crime proceeds exceeding $5,000 and was granted conditional bail because she is pregnant.

Investigators will claim Steele was trying to cover up Carter’s fraud.

Carter’s criminal case alleges 16 felonies, including 14 counts of dishonestly obtaining financial gain through deception, knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime and possession of a few grams of cocaine.

Carter is expected to contest the criminal charges and seek bail before his next court hearing in September.

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