A Gloucestershire gardener has emerged victorious in a protracted legal battle against betting giant Paddy Power, securing a £1 million jackpot win that was initially denied due to an alleged technical glitch.
The High Court ruling marks a significant moment for online gamblers and raises questions about the responsibilities of betting companies in honouring displayed winnings.
The Jackpot Spin That Started It All
In October 2020, Corinne Durber, a gardener from Tetbury, Gloucestershire, was playing the Wild Hatter game on Paddy Power’s mobile application when she hit what appeared to be a life-changing jackpot. As the virtual wheel spun on her iPad, Mrs Durber watched in disbelief as the screen lit up with a “Monster Jackpot” message, indicating a win of over £1 million.
Recounting the moment, Mrs Durber said, “I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the jackpot amount. Instinctively, I took a screenshot, which turned out to be a crucial piece of evidence.”
However, the elation was short-lived. Instead of receiving the full jackpot amount of £1,097,132.71, Mrs Durber found only £20,265 deposited into her account. This discrepancy set the stage for a five-year legal saga that would test the resolve of both the player and the betting company.
Paddy Power’s Initial Response
When confronted with the discrepancy, Paddy Power claimed that the “big win” message was the result of a computer error. The company maintained that the £20,265 payout was the correct amount and refused to honour the larger sum displayed on Mrs Durber’s screen.
This stance set off alarm bells for Mrs Durber, who comes from a family with deep roots in the betting industry. “My grandfather was a prominent bookmaker in Bristol, and my father continued the business. I grew up around racetracks, so I understand the importance of fair play in betting,” she explained.
Determined to fight for what she believed was rightfully hers, Mrs Durber sought legal representation and embarked on a lengthy court battle against Paddy Power. The case hinged on a fundamental principle of online gaming: the concept of “what you see is what you get.”
Peter Coyle, the solicitor representing Mrs Durber, emphasised the significance of the case for online gamblers. “This victory sets an important precedent. It challenges the notion that betting companies can simply claim technical errors to avoid paying out large winnings,” he stated.
The High Court Ruling
After five years of legal proceedings, the case finally reached its conclusion in the High Court. Mr Justice Ritchie, presiding over the case, ruled in favour of Mrs Durber, affirming that the principle of “what you see is what you get” is indeed fundamental to online gaming.
The judge’s decision underscored the responsibility of betting companies to honour the winnings displayed to players, regardless of backend technical issues. This ruling not only validated Mrs Durber’s claim but also potentially opened the door for similar cases in the future.
Emotional Impact and Plans for the Winnings
The prolonged legal battle took its toll on Mrs Durber and her family. Her husband, Colin Durber, spoke about the emotional stress they endured: “It’s been five years of sleepless nights for Corinne. The constant thought of ‘what if’ has been a heavy burden.”
Now, with the court’s decision in their favour, the Durbers can finally breathe a sigh of relief and look forward to receiving the full jackpot amount of £1,097,132.71.
With the windfall finally secured, Mrs Durber has already begun making plans for the money. “Our first priority is to help our children by paying off their mortgages,” she revealed. “It’s a weight off our shoulders to be able to provide this financial security for our family.”
But Mrs Durber has another, more symbolic plan in mind – one that pays homage to her family’s betting heritage and the legal principle that won her case. “I’m going to buy a racehorse,” she announced with a smile. “And I’m going to name it Wizziwig, after WYSIWYG – ‘What You See Is What You Get’.”
Paddy Power’s Response to the Ruling
Following the High Court decision, Paddy Power issued a statement expressing regret over the incident. A spokesperson for the company said:
“We pride ourselves on fairness and strive to provide the best customer experience possible. Every week, tens of thousands of customers win with Paddy Power, including a recent £5.7 million jackpot winner. We deeply regret this unfortunate case and are currently reviewing the judgment.”
The company’s response suggests that they are taking the ruling seriously and may be reassessing their policies regarding technical glitches and displayed winnings.
Implications for the Betting Industry
While Paddy Power has expressed regret over the incident, the case raises important questions about accountability in the online betting industry. Peter Coyle, Mrs Durber’s lawyer, highlighted the broader implications of the ruling:
“Corinne’s case is likely not unique. There may be others in similar situations who are legally in the right but face the daunting prospect of taking on a betting giant in court. It’s a difficult dilemma – do they accept a lesser amount or fight for years for what they’re owed?”
This ruling may encourage other players who have experienced similar situations to come forward and challenge betting companies’ decisions regarding disputed winnings.