Gambled Away 1.7 million €, Now Suing The Bookmaker

Millionaire and property tycoon Lee Gibson (47) is suing the betting company Betfair, seeking the return of 1.7 million € he lost gambling. Gibson claims that the bookmaker had a duty of care and should have protected him from himself by preventing him from continuing to gamble, according to GiveMeSport.

Between 2009 and 2019, Gibson, who is from Leeds, placed around 30,000€ individual bets, losing the mentioned amount, although he initially found the experience “exciting and captivating.” His Betfair account was permanently suspended in March 2019. While this isn’t the first time a gambling company has ended up in the High Court, the outcome of this case could have major implications.

Potential Industry Wide Impact

Gibson‘s lawsuit argues that Betfair, as the world’s largest betting exchange, should have identified him as a problem gambler and intervened earlier. Last year (2024), a High Court judge dismissed his claim for over 1 million €, roughly the amount he lost in the six years prior to filing the lawsuit in 2021.

This week, the case is back in court, this time before three judges at the Court of Appeal, as Gibson seeks closure on this chapter of his life. According to The Independent, legal experts say the case could have a huge impact on the online gambling industry, as it could clarify the responsibilities gambling firms have toward their users.

Legal Arguments

Gibson’s lawyer, Yash Kulkarni, said his client mostly bet on correct football scores, often staking up to 20,000€ per wager. Kulkarni argues that Betfair “knew or should have known” that Gibson was suffering from gambling addiction.

“Evidence shows Betfair knew or had access to information indicating that Mr.Gibson was chasing losses, borrowing money, or selling assets to fund his gambling. He was gambling at a level far beyond what he could afford after taxes and expenses,” the lawyer stated.

When asked about his funding sources, Gibson allegedly told Betfair he was a landlord with a substantial real estate portfolio. The court heard that the 47-year-old left school at 16 and made his fortune buying and renovating local properties.

High Court Ruling and Appeal

Last year’s High Court case ended with Judge Nigel Bird ruling that Betfair couldn’t reasonably have been expected to be aware of Gibson’s alleged gambling problems. The judge found evidence suggesting Gibson actively concealed his condition.

“Mr. Gibson consistently and frequently assured Betfair that he could afford his gambling, including losses. None of the information he provided indicated otherwise,” Judge Bird concluded.

However, at the Court of Appeal, Kulkarni countered that Betfair had failed in its duty. He emphasized that “Mr. Gibson placed at least 20,000 individual bets in the six years leading up to January 22, 2021, that’s more than five bets per day.”

He argued that anyone gambling heavily and persistently, despite substantial losses and using borrowed funds or proceeds from selling business assets, was very likely a problem gambler, and that Betfair should have recognized the signs.

Betfair, listed in the case as TSE Malta LP, is contesting the appeal. Their legal team maintains that Judge Bird’s decision was correct and is urging the Appeal Court, led by Sir Julian Flaux, Justice Popplewell, and Justice Birss, to uphold the ruling.