Arthur opened an account with Bet365 in June 2020, shortly after turning 18. At first, he placed occasional bets on football. In December 2021, he began playing at online casinos, including roulette and blackjack. Over the next two months, the duration and intensity of his gaming sessions increased sharply. Some of these sessions took place in the early morning hours, which, according to experts, is a recognized indicator of gambling-related harm.
What the investigation found
Professor David Forrest, an expert in the interpretation of betting data, presented evidence that Arthur’s behavior between December 2021 and February 2022 exhibited numerous clear signs of gambling-related harm and that the operator should have intervened sooner. Bet365’s only action during this entire period was an automated email sent on February 4, 2022, reminding him of the extended time spent on the platform and providing links to self-help tools. Meanwhile, during the period of active gambling behavior, the operator sent Arthur more than 80 marketing messages, including offers for free bets.
Consultant psychiatrist Dr. John Barker confirmed that Arthur had been diagnosed with a gambling disorder combined with depression. Coroner Ian Arrow noted that the risk of harm to which Arthur was exposed had not been identified by Bet365. The West London Psychiatric Service also failed to respond appropriately. Arthur himself had told doctors about his gambling problems shortly before his death, yet he was never referred for specialized treatment for gambling addiction.
The coroner also indicated that he intends to submit a report on preventing future deaths to the Gambling Commission.
The Family’s and the Bookmaker’s Response
Arthur’s mother, Isabelle Soames, stated that the family is convinced that it was gambling disorder that led to his death, and that Bet365 failed to take appropriate action despite clear signs of a problem. Arthur’s aunt, Sophie Boucher, called the bookmaker’s response disappointing and expressed her conviction that timely intervention could have changed the outcome.
In a statement, Bet365 expressed its condolences to the family and indicated that it would review the findings of the investigation. During the hearings, the company disputed that gambling was the cause of death, citing the fact that Arthur’s account was in the black and that other factors contributed to his problems. The Gambling Commission did not disclose the results of its own investigation into Bet365’s conduct in this case.
The fifth case in four years
This is not the first case of its kind. In 2023, a coroner’s inquest into the death of Luke Ashton concluded that his death was caused by a gambling disorder and Betfair’s failure to act. This marked the first such recorded case in British history. In January 2026, a similar investigation into the case of Ollie Long raised questions about the risks posed by unlicensed gambling sites.
Arthur’s family called on the Gambling Commission to strengthen protections for young players and restrict the practice of cross-selling casino products in conjunction with betting. Whether this will lead to actual regulatory changes remains to be seen.
