Gambling Sector Litigation

Expertise

Claims against gambling operators can involve significant disparities in resources and complex regulatory and legal issues. Our dedicated team combines sector knowledge with technical expertise. We excel at acting in claims seeking to hold operators financially accountable for social responsibility and anti-money laundering (AML) failures. In many cases, we have successfully recovered money for our clients and held operators to account across claims involving betting, casino, and online and offline platforms.

Core Areas of Gambling Litigation

Claims Involving Gambling-Related Harm

• Social Responsibility Breaches: Pursuing civil claims against operators in relation to alleged failures concerning vulnerable individuals, signs of gambling-related harm and appropriate customer interactions.
• Self-Exclusion Failures: Pursuing claims relating to financial losses incurred where operators are alleged to have failed to enforce preventive gambling policies and regulations.
• Marketing Practices: Acting in relation to the targeting of vulnerable or self-excluding individuals through VIP schemes and promotions.

Redress for Third-Party Victims & Charities

• Stolen Funds Redress: Acting for businesses and families whose funds were misappropriated and subsequently used for gambling, including claims involving operators’ AML and source of funds procedures.
• Assistance to Charities: Working closely with gambling sector-specific charities, providing the legal support, advice, and structure to help them advance their operational and harm-reduction objectives.

Notable Cases

In the gambling sector, we have handled complex litigation claims concerning operator accountability and consumer protection in England and in various foreign jurisdictions. Notable cases include:

• Terry Allan v Ladbrokes Coral Group Limited
  Acted for Mr Allan in High Court proceedings concerning a claim for the recovery of more than £3 million in betting stakes allegedly placed from Spain. The claim raised issues concerning cross-border gambling and the legality of bets placed from a jurisdiction in which the operator was not licensed to provide gambling services.

• Dhir v Flutter Entertainment Plc [2021] EWHC 1510 (QB)
  Acted for Mr Dhir in High Court proceedings seeking to recover funds which had been advanced to a business associate and subsequently used to fund gambling with Paddy Power. The case considered issues including trusts and fiduciary obligations, tracing, knowing or unconscionable receipt and unjust enrichment.

Our Approach to Challenging the Industry

Taking on major gambling operators requires a considered pre-action strategy and a detailed understanding of the relevant consumer and regulatory framework. Our practice is built on providing realistic, candid risk assessments from the outset. Whether we are pursuing high-value civil litigation in the High Court or negotiating settlements, we provide focused and strategic legal representation. We have recovered substantial sums for clients and pursued claims that have drawn attention to operator practices and regulatory compliance.

Why Choose Us?

Gambling disputes can involve complex corporate structures, cross-border issues and well-resourced legal teams. As a firm with established international connectivity and cross-disciplinary litigation expertise, we are well equipped to navigate these structures and pursue claims across jurisdictions, including offshore jurisdictions. We offer focused technical expertise in gambling litigation, paired with a strong commitment to protecting the rights of individuals, victims, and charities.