British Player Sues Paddy Power Over Denied £1M Jackpot Win
In an eye-opening legal battle, Corinne Durber takes on gambling giant Paddy Power for not paying out a million-pound jackpot, challenging the fine print in their terms and conditions.
- Corinne Durber from Gloucestershire is suing Paddy Power after refusing to pay out her £1.097 million jackpot win on The Wild Hatter slot game.
- Initially believing she had won, Durber only received £20,265 due to what the company claims was a display error caused by a software glitch.
- Paddy Power argued that its decision is backed by its terms of service, stating that payouts are determined by the company’s central computer.
- Durber’s lawsuit asserts that these terms violate the Consumer Rights Act 2015. It argues for the principle of “what you see is what you get”.
- The outcome of this lawsuit may set a precedent for similar cases, as non-paid jackpots are not uncommon in the gambling industry.
In a story that reads like a gambler’s worst nightmare, Corinne Durber’s elation at winning a £1.097 million jackpot turned into dismay when Paddy Power Games, the Irish gambling behemoth, refused to pay up. Caught in a whirlwind of technical explanations and fine print, Durber’s fight illuminates a contentious issue in online gambling — what happens when a promised win turns out to be an illusion?
The Winning Moment That Wasn’t
On October 18, 2020, while playing The Wild Hatter slot game developed by Red Tiger, Durber, a gardener from Gloucestershire, hit what she believed to be a life-changing jackpot. Inspired by Alice in Wonderland, the game displayed a congratulatory message for winning the mega jackpot. However, the joy was short-lived as her account reflected a payout of only £20,265 rather than the seven-figure sum she was expecting.
A Display Error or an Accountability Issue?
When Durber sought answers, Paddy Power responded that a discrepancy between the game’s display and the central server led to the error. Essentially, the screen showed a jackpot win, but the game’s internal software determined a different outcome. This revelation was followed by a reference to Paddy Power’s extensive terms and conditions, which absolve them of liability for such discrepancies.
A Legal Battle for Transparency and Fairness
Undeterred, Durber’s legal team filed a lawsuit against Paddy Power, challenging the enforceability of their terms under the Consumer Rights Act of 2015. Durber’s lawyer argues that these conditions were not adequately communicated and are unreasonably complex. The essence of the dispute boils down to a fundamental principle of digital consumer rights: the expectation that the product (or outcome, in this case) must match what is advertised.
Not an Isolated Incident
Durber’s ordeal is far from unique in online gambling. Similar incidents happen across the globe, from Atlantic City to New York, highlighting a recurring theme of jackpot disputes. These cases often involve casinos citing machine or software malfunctions to void massive payouts, leaving winners empty-handed and seeking legal redress.
Implications for the Future
As the legal proceedings against Paddy Power unfold, the gambling community and regulatory bodies will eagerly watch the outcome. Should Durber’s case find favour in court, it could set a significant precedent. The fallout could potentially reshape how gambling operators draft their terms and engage with players. For now, the global audience of online gamblers waits with bated breath. Everyone wants a resolution that brings justice for Corinne Durber and greater accountability within the online gambling industry.
Yet, the broader question looms: in an era where digital content and experiences are increasingly prevalent, how much trust is placed in the hands of providers, and at what point does the line between a software glitch and false advertising become blurred? Durber’s case may offer some answers.
Peter Wilson is the Editor-in-Chief at GamblingAuthority. He has more than nine years of experience from the iGaming industry and is a valuable resource for everything related to online casinos.
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