Marketing businesswoman confronted at poker machines while clients seek refunds
A digital marketing entrepreneur facing allegations from multiple clients over unpaid refunds has been confronted while gambling at poker machines on a weekday morning in Adelaide.
Sally Cooper, who operates the online business Elevated Digital Marketing, was discovered at a suburban pub's gaming lounge at 11.30am on Thursday, August 20, betting on poker machines at stakes approaching the maximum $5 per spin permitted under South Australian law.
The discovery comes as several small business owners claim Cooper owes them thousands of dollars in refunds for services they say were never delivered or fell significantly below expectations.
Court action and missing refunds
Bridal boutique owner Sally Dean paid Cooper $1,970 upfront for window stickers that were never installed. When Dean requested a refund, Cooper sent a screenshot appearing to show a bank transfer, but the money never arrived in Dean's account.
Dean took the matter to Adelaide Magistrates Court's Civil (Minor Claims) Division on July 31. When Cooper failed to appear, Deputy Registrar Wierenga ruled Dean could apply for a warrant of apprehension. Under South Australian law, this warrant allows the Sheriff to contact the debtor to arrange court attendance, though it is not equivalent to a criminal arrest.
Julie Baker, who runs Melbourne-based disability products company Sensory Matters, claims Cooper owes her $605 after providing what Baker suspects was an AI-generated pricing plan riddled with errors. When Baker arranged a video meeting to discuss the issues, Cooper allegedly never attended.
Adelaide businesswoman Tori Cottle paid over $3,500 for social media marketing services in 2024. She claims the promised Instagram account was never created, Facebook posts were published far less frequently than agreed, and hundreds of items from a branded merchandise order went missing.
Confrontation at the pokies
When a reporter and cameraman approached Cooper in the pub car park after she emerged from the gaming lounge at approximately 1pm, she claimed she was meeting a client. Asked about gambling her clients' money, Cooper responded:
No, I'm actually meeting with a client. Is that OK?
When pressed about spending at the poker machines and avoiding clients, Cooper declined to answer directly, stating:
You don't have my permission to film. You can actually speak to my lawyer.
During her time at the gaming lounge, Cooper was observed with $93 in machine credits and placing $3 and $5 spins—the upper range permitted under South Australia's strict poker machine regulations, which cap bets at $5 per spin.
Awards disqualification
Earlier this year, Cooper announced she was a finalist in three categories at the 2026 AusMumpreneur Awards: Digital Innovation, Global Brand, and Marketing and Communications. The nationally recognized awards program, which has been running for over 13 years, celebrates Australian mothers in business across categories including business excellence, customer service, innovation, sustainability and technology.
However, following inquiries from media, AusMumpreneur confirmed on Tuesday that Cooper had been disqualified. A spokesperson said the organization had already identified Cooper's entry through their due diligence process and commenced an internal review before receiving media questions. The awards gala dinner is scheduled for September 16, 2026, with the conference running from September 14-16 in Sydney.
AusMumpreneur takes the integrity of the Awards seriously. We have been running the AusMumpreneur Awards since 2010 and recognise that receiving an award carries significant credibility for the women and businesses involved.
Pattern of allegations
The allegations extend beyond business transactions. Shaeden Johns, a childhood friend of Cooper, claims she took out phone plans in her name for Cooper in 2016 after Cooper said she was experiencing personal difficulties while pregnant. Johns alleges Cooper promised to transfer the plans within two weeks but instead accumulated bills, took out an additional phone, and left Johns with a $6,000 debt and damaged credit.
Approximately 20 people claiming to be owed money by Cooper have joined a private Facebook group to share their experiences.
Former clients expressed frustration upon learning about Cooper's gambling.
As someone still waiting on money I believe she owes me, it's frustrating to hear reports that suggest she has money to spend on leisure activities,Baker said.
Cottle stated:
Knowing that I did business with someone who has allegedly taken advantage of and financially harmed multiple people, including myself, and then hearing that money was being spent on large bets at the pokies is incredibly difficult to comprehend.
Consumer protection investigation
South Australian Consumer and Business Services confirmed in May it was considering a complaint regarding Cooper and urged consumers who have experienced issues to contact the agency on 131-882. Under South Australian law, Consumer and Business Services can assist with complaints about goods and services purchased in the state for personal use, with case officers facilitating negotiations and the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs having powers to call compulsory conciliation conferences.
The organization's statement remained unchanged when contacted again this week.
This case emerges as consumer protection concerns grow in Australia, with Australians losing $2.18 billion to scams in 2025, primarily through investment and redirection schemes. The Australian government introduced the Scams Prevention Framework in 2026 to address the escalating problem.
In May, Cooper attempted to file an urgent injunction with the South Australia Supreme Court to prevent a television news story about the allegations from airing. Associate Justice Graham Dart dismissed the application, describing it as coming at very short notice and lacking in detail.
When previously contacted about similar allegations, Cooper stated:
I would highly recommend not publishing whatever you're planning on. My lawyer's already working on it, and all those allegations are actually false, and it can be proven.
Cooper did not respond to detailed written questions sent following the car park encounter.
