Sportsbet launches legal battle over staff poaching
Paddy Power-owned operator attempting to prevent employees defecting to former CEO's new venture, BetEasy
Sportsbet has filed an injunction with an Australian Supreme Court in an attempt to prevent one of its employees leaving to join local rival BetEasy.
The legal action was prompted after its customer services manager Kelli Carpanini gave notice she was defecting to Beteasy, a firm recently established by Sportsbet founder Matthew Tripp.
Paddy Power-owned Sportsbet claims Carpanini breached her three-month non-compete period by commencing work for BetEasy earlier this month.
And it is understood Sportsbet is expecting several staff to leave for Tripp’s new firm.
The matter was due to be heard in the Victorian Supreme Court today, however the case was adjourned with the consent of both parties with a provisional date of Tuesday 25 March set.
eGR broke the news last month that Tripp was returning to the Australian online wagering market three years after he sold the Sportsbet business to Paddy Power.
After serving out a three-year non-compete period himself, Tripp and his business partners acquired independent sportsbook operator BetEzy and rebranded it to BetEasy. The operator is set to relaunch a completely new site in May.
“Due to the matter being before the courts we cannot comment,” a Sportsbet spokesperson said.