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Widow Sues Betfair After Husband's Gambling Death
4 Jun
Summary
- A widow is suing Betfair for £846,478 after her husband's death.
- The husband lost £5,500 in March 2021 before taking his own life.
- Betfair denies owing a duty of care, citing safer gambling procedures.
A legal battle is underway as Annie Ashton pursues a £846,478 damages claim against Betfair. Her husband, Luke Ashton, died aged 40 in April 2021, having lost around £5,500 in the month prior through approximately 1,000 bets. Mrs. Ashton's counsel argues that Betfair owed her husband a duty of care and failed to adequately protect him.
The legal team asserts that Betfair "perpetuated the risk of harm" by operating an addictive gambling product. They contend that the company's failure to recognize Mr. Ashton's gambling as indicative of harm and its reliance on generic automated contact, rather than human support, demonstrate a neglect of duty. Evidence presented suggests his gambling escalated significantly after the COVID-19 lockdown in May and June 2020.
Conversely, Betfair's representatives deny owing a duty of care, highlighting a "sophisticated set of safer gambling procedures" in place. They argue that Mr. Ashton used multiple gambling sites, implying he would have continued to gamble elsewhere. Betfair also noted that Mr. Ashton had self-excluded three times previously and made frequent use of player protection tools like deposit limits, suggesting he was in control.
A spokesperson for Flutter UKI, Betfair's owner, offered condolences but declined further comment due to the ongoing legal proceedings. The trial is scheduled to conclude on June 19, presided over by Mr. Justice Swift.
