Family of man who took his life claim Playtech profited from his death
The family of a man who sadly took his own life after gambling away thousands of pounds, has claimed betting firm Playtech, have profited from his death and are trying to re-claim the £119,000 he lost in the five days before he died.
Gambling addiction
25 year old Chris Bruney, had developed a gambling addiction, losing tens of thousands of pounds and being regarded as a VIP player at online casino winner.co.uk. The VIP status enabled him to claim much larger bonuses and prizes such as an Apple watch and in the five days prior to his death, Chris lost over £119,000.
Chris’s family are now campaigning for new regulations to be brought in and claim that gambling operators Playtech, who own winner.co.uk, have profited from his death and are refusing to repay the money he lost in the days leading to his death.
Chris Bruney was an electrical engineer from Sheffield and earned around £60,000 per annum. Following his death, an 18 month investigation by the UK Gambling Commission took place into Playtech’s subsidiary company, PTES (which owned winner.co.uk), its practices and the way in which it managed its money laundering procedures and social responsibility to players.
UK Gambling Commission investigation
The investigation focused on the subsidiary company PTES, which was owned by Playtech and found systematic failings which included failing to check whether Mr Bruney was happy with the amount he was gambling and whether he could afford his losses.
However, Playtech closed down their PTES branch of the company, meaning that any fines given, could no longer be imposed. This caused outrage among campaigners and Chris’s family and since, Playtech have donated £2.88million to Gambling with Lives; an organisation that supports families of people that have died of suicide from gambling addiction and a further £620,000 to other charities that work with helping those with gambling addictions.
Playtech have also developed a new team specifically to develop ways in which to better protect players and have developed an industry code on game design.
Chris’s Law
Mr Bruney’s family are now campaigning for ‘Chris’s Law’ which would enforce a statutory duty of care from bookmakers and prevent exploitation of vulnerable players.
The Government are already undertaking a review of the Gambling Act and working with the UK Gambling Commission, the Betting and Gaming Council and focus groups, to review current legislation to ensure players are protected and operators focus more on their social responsibility towards players. It will also look further into VIP schemes and more robust source of funds checks.
A spokesperson for Playtech have said they are open to discussion with the family regard the £119,000 claim, but haven’t committed to repaying any money as yet.
