An alarming case in the United Kingdom has come to light about a gambler who lost in the region of ￡300,000 in just over a year. He claims that the operator was slow to take any action to protect vulnerable gamblers from harm. Despite placing a staggering 162 bets on Christmas Eve, the gambling company Bet365 rejected the claim that the individual, Vayuputra Anirudh Thotapalli, was a compulsive gambler, according to a report by The Telegraph.

Problem gambling can have devastating consequences, not only on individuals but also on their families and finances. The burden of losses incurred by compulsive gamblers often remains undisclosed until substantial debts accumulate. While responsible gambling practices and customer engagement are expected from operators, some individuals manage to accumulate significant losses before intervention occurs.

Thotapalli alleges that he lost approximately ￡300,000 between February 3, 2015, and March 10, 2016. On Christmas Eve alone, he reportedly placed 162 bets, and on different occasions, he claims to have placed more than 30 bets per day for 33 consecutive days.

Among Thotapalli’s claims is that Bet365 took two months before requesting documents related to his source of income. He states that he began gambling as soon as he opened an account and suffered a loss of ￡46,907 before being prompted to provide proof of income in April 2015.

Compulsive gambling behaviour

Thotapalli’s defence lawyers argue that the betting activity on his account is indicative of his compulsive gambling behaviour. The trial is expected to commence soon, with witness statements being exchanged by September 15, 2023. His case is attracting the attention of other gamblers who have lost significant sums of money.

Bet365 does not agree with the gambler’s claims. The company states that it engaged with Thotapalli on multiple occasions to ensure responsible gambling practices were followed. A spokesperson for the company said that the customer was sent a self-assessment query a few weeks after he opened his account.? This included questions such to clarify whether the customer was in the habit of gambling until his last penny is gone, even jeopardizing his basic expenses and needs. Bet365 also claims that the customer’s replies were verified with a follow up telephone call during which Thotapalli confirmed that he was able to control his gambling activities.? He passed the Responsible Gambling Self-Assessment (RGSA) on at least four occasions.

UK’s approach to vulnerable gamblers

This case emerges at a time when regulatory changes for the gambling industry are being considered in the UK. Among these changes are proposals for stricter financial checks and limits on online bets per spin for slots. The outcome of Thotapalli’s case could have implications for the industry’s approach to protecting vulnerable gamblers. This will highlight the responsibility of operators in detecting and preventing excessive gambling behaviour.

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