Luke Ashton: Betfair Criticised by Coroner Over Gambler's Death
Luke Ashton: Betfair criticised by coroner over gambler's death
29 June 2023
ByDan Martin
BBC News
A coroner has actually found Betfair must have done more to assist a gambling addict before he eliminated himself.
Luke Ashton, 40, from Leicester, passed away in April 2021 after developing big financial obligations betting online.
An inquest heard he staked bigger sums chasing his losses in the weeks before his death.
Coroner Ivan Cartwright said he was worried Betfair did not meaningfully engage or intervene when Mr Ashton's gambling activity increased.
He concluded gambling disorder was a cause of Mr Ashton's death.
Missed opportunities
The inquest, at Leicester Town Hall, heard before he died, Mr Ashton had actually been betting more than 100 times a day, consisting of early in the early morning and late at night when his wife was asleep.
He put 1,229 bets in March 2021 and on one day of that month alone he deposited ₤ 2,500.
Mr Cartwright stated: "He was evaluated as being a low-risk gambler although his activity was more extensive in the 10 weeks prior to his death.
"The operator did not intervene or engage with Mr Ashton in any meaningful method.
"Betfair might have done more in the appropriate duration and ought to have done more in what I find was an essential duration between late January and April 2021.
"Opportunities were missed that might potentially have altered the result for Luke."
Mr Ashton's body was found in a rented flat near Mexborough, South Yorkshire, after his wife reported him missing out on and his phone was tracked using an app.
Betfair was contacted us to offer proof to the inquest as Mr Cartwright sought to develop whether the firm's actions added to Mr Ashton's death.
Luke Ashton: Betfair criticised by coroner over gambler's death
29 June 2023
ByDan Martin
BBC News
A coroner has actually found Betfair must have done more to assist a gambling addict before he eliminated himself.
Luke Ashton, 40, from Leicester, passed away in April 2021 after developing big financial obligations betting online.
An inquest heard he staked bigger sums chasing his losses in the weeks before his death.
Coroner Ivan Cartwright said he was worried Betfair did not meaningfully engage or intervene when Mr Ashton's gambling activity increased.
He concluded gambling disorder was a cause of Mr Ashton's death.
Missed opportunities
The inquest, at Leicester Town Hall, heard before he died, Mr Ashton had actually been betting more than 100 times a day, consisting of early in the early morning and late at night when his wife was asleep.
He put 1,229 bets in March 2021 and on one day of that month alone he deposited ₤ 2,500.
Mr Cartwright stated: "He was evaluated as being a low-risk gambler although his activity was more extensive in the 10 weeks prior to his death.
"The operator did not intervene or engage with Mr Ashton in any meaningful method.
"Betfair might have done more in the appropriate duration and ought to have done more in what I find was an essential duration between late January and April 2021.
"Opportunities were missed that might potentially have altered the result for Luke."
Mr Ashton's body was found in a rented flat near Mexborough, South Yorkshire, after his wife reported him missing out on and his phone was tracked using an app.
Betfair was contacted us to offer proof to the inquest as Mr Cartwright sought to develop whether the firm's actions added to Mr Ashton's death.