A Victorian woman who lost her life savings after her accountant gambled the money away on online betting is preparing to take legal action against Sportsbet.

Kym Cavigan, 53, first learned her $820,000 had been stolen by Andrew Marshall to fund his secret online gambling addiction in 2023.

The 45-year-old self-reported to the police before telling Cavigan at her home in the Macedon Ranges in central Victoria.

He is alleged to have moved the money between two bank accounts before it was transferred to Sportsbet.

Marshall has been charged with stealing funds of almost $4.2 million.

He has pleaded guilty and will appear in court again in November.

The mother-of-two claims Sportsbet had a duty of care to stop proceeds of crime flowing into their online betting accounts.

“It’s not their money, and they should have known that the money they are profiting from was stolen from us,” Cavigan told The Age.

Cavigan plans to sue the betting giant for compensation.

Marshall has helped Cavigan in her potential legal fight by providing bank statements, texts and documentation.

“We adhere to our regulatory obligations and are committed to continually evolving our systems and processes to support safer gambling and mitigate financial crime,” the spokesperson said.

There are many different ways to get help and information about gambling. You can visit the National Gambling Helpline or call on 1800 858 858.