Luke Ashton: Betfair criticised by coroner over gambler's death

29 June 2023

ByDan Martin
BBC News

A coroner has found Betfair must have done more to help a betting addict before he eliminated himself.

Luke Ashton, 40, from Leicester, died in April 2021 after developing substantial financial obligations wagering online.

An inquest heard he staked larger amounts chasing his losses in the weeks before his death.

Coroner Ivan Cartwright stated he was worried Betfair did not meaningfully interact or step in when Mr Ashton's gaming activity surged.

He concluded betting disorder was a reason for Mr Ashton's death.

Missed chances

The inquest, at Leicester City center, heard before he passed away, Mr Ashton had been betting more than 100 times a day, consisting of early in the morning and late during the night when his better half was asleep.

He placed 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 bettor although his activity was more extensive in the 10 weeks prior to his death.

"The operator did not step in or connect with Mr Ashton in any meaningful method.

"Betfair could have done more in the relevant period and ought to have done more in what I discover was an essential period between late January and April 2021.

"Opportunities were missed that could potentially have changed the result for Luke."

Mr Ashton's body was found in a rented flat near Mexborough, South Yorkshire, after his spouse reported him missing and his phone was tracked using an app.

Betfair was called to give evidence to the inquest as Mr Cartwright looked for to develop whether the firm's actions added to Mr Ashton's death.

Lawyers for Mr Ashton's household said the business ought to have identified him as an issue gambler and taken "more and more powerful actions" to keep him from damage.

Betfair informed the inquest it used a computer system algorithm to monitor customer betting and that Mr Ashton was considered "low threat".

The company said its algorithm discovered nothing in his betting patterns that would trigger human intervention that might have limited his betting.

Instead Mr Ashton was sent out 8 automated and generic "awareness" e-mails by the company.

Tragic result

Mr Cartwright stated he was "perplexed" the algorithm did not flag Mr Ashton as an issue bettor.

He stated had that took place there were opportunities to get assist for Mr Ashton who had actually had confessed his gaming issue to his other half in 2019 but later hid the reality he had actually started betting once again.

Richard Clarke, the handling director of client relations for Flutter UKI - Betfair's parent business - offered evidence to the hearing and was asked by the the family's legal representatives if he felt the yohaig code company should have done more.

Mr Clarke stated: "We have looked really carefully at the actions we took and we are positive we met the yohaig code regulative requirement at the time.

"As a business, undoubtedly taking a look at the awful outcome here, I would love to have actually done more."

He stated Betfair had actually introduced further safeguards given that 2021, including deposit limitations from consumers returning from self-exclusion periods and financial vulnerability checks, however they can be found in before the company was warned of Mr Ashton's death.

Mr Cartwright came to a narrative conclusion that Luke passed away as a result of his own actions.

He stated he would prepare an Avoidance of Future Deaths Report with recommendations based upon the "complex and uncommon case".

After the hearing, Annie Ashton stated: "The coroner's conclusion validates what I have actually constantly thought that gambling triggered Luke's death.

"It vindicates what I have argued the whole time that betting is harmful, damages households and causes suicide."

She stated she hoped the yohaig code inquest's findings would urgently prompt betting companies to better connect with consumers.

She stated Betfair's evaluation of her partner as "low danger" was not fit for purpose.

Mrs Ashton explained her husband as a "intense happy and bubbly individual" who made good friends quickly.

"As a spouse and a dad, Luke was absolutely nothing except helpful and happy," she added.

"He was a real rock to us all however in truth he masked his own pain to safeguard us from what he was going through."

Ian Brown, primary executive of Flutter UKI, said: "We wish to repeat our genuine condolences to Mrs Ashton and her household. We are truly sorry for their loss.

"Flutter UKI is devoted to doing the ideal thing and creating an environment for clients to enjoy our products in a safe and sustainable method.

"Over the previous three years we have made significant changes to our controls, including necessary deposit limits for consumers who go back to our sites after a period of self-exclusion.

"We hold ourselves to the absolute highest standards in the industry and we will, of course, integrate extra knowings from this promotion code tragic case into our systems and procedures."

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