UK Horse Racing Tips

In January, 2018, 54-year-old Andrew Green, who hails from Washingborough, Lincolnshire, won in excess of £1.72 million playing Frankie Dettori Magic Seven Blackjack online at Betfred Casino. By his own admission, Green went ‘absolutely crazy’, splashing out over £2,500 on celebrating with friends and family. However, those celebrations were cut short when, a few days later, a Betfred director contacted him amd broke the news that the firm would not be paying out his winnings after all.

Betfred claimed that Green had only received his windfall as the result of a ‘software error’, or ‘defect’, which prevented the game from resetting correctly during his gaming session – a situation, the company said, which was covered by its terms and conditions – and withheld payment. Unsurprisingly, Green disagreed and sued Petre (Gibraltar) Limited, trading as Betfred, for £2 million in the High Court.

Having refused a so-called ‘goodwill’ gesture of £60,000, subject to a gagging order, Green had to wait over three years, through no fault of his own, but eventually won his case. Hight Court judge Mrs. Justice Foster found that ‘clauses in the terms and conditions are inadequate to exempt Betfred from the obligation to pay out’ and, consequently, the company ‘had no realistic prospect of successfully defending the claim’. She awarded summary judgement to the plaintiff, to the tune of £1.72 million plus interest and costs, which effectively cost Betfred £600,000 more than if the company had paid Green his winnings in the first place.

A spokesperson for Betfred said that the company was acting on advice from a third-party supplier in withholding payment, but nonetheless apologised to Green and confirmed that the company would not be appealing the decision. Naturally euphoric, Greem said afterwards, ‘I think Betfred have treated me abysmally, but it’s not about Betfred today. I’m just ecstatic to have eventually won my case.’

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