Paddy Power Ordered to Pay Full One Million Pound Jackpot After High Court Batt

Corrinne Durber, a gardener from Gloucestershire, has won a decisive high court victory against Paddy Power, compelling the gambling company to pay her jackpot prize of £1,076,867.57. The dispute arose after the betting giant initially awarded her only £20,265.14, claiming she had won a ‘daily jackpot’ rather than the advertised ‘monster jackpot’.

Durber’s win came after a protracted legal battle following her play on the Wild Hatter game in October 2020, a game described as a mix of a fruit machine and a wheel of fortune-style system. After progressing to the second section of the game, her screen displayed that she had won the ‘monster jackpot’, listed at £1,097,132.71 that day. Yet Paddy Power attributed the discrepancy to a game malfunction and stated that the screen had displayed the wrong prize.

Taking on Paddy Power’s legal team, Durber sued PPB Entertainment Limited—a company operating as Paddy Power and Betfair—for breach of contract, claiming that what was shown on the screen constituted the winnings she was owed. In a 62-page ruling handed down by Mr Justice Ritchie, it was determined that the principle of ‘what you see is what you get’ was integral to the contract between a player and the game operator.

The judgment highlighted how customers should reasonably expect the displayed information to be accurate, just as they would in a physical casino. Justice Ritchie affirmed this by stating, “The house should pay out if a bet wins, whether the claim is placed online or within a physical venue.”

Reflecting on the outcome, Durber described the process as an ‘ordeal’ and criticised Paddy Power for their refusal to honour the winnings from the start. She expressed relief and satisfaction with the verdict but stated, “I will never bet with them again, and I advise others to be cautious when dealing with betting companies.”

In a statement following the ruling, a spokesperson for Flutter UKI, the parent company of Paddy Power, acknowledged the case’s outcome while reiterating its dedication to fairness. Despite claiming to monitor customer experiences carefully, the company indicated it is reviewing the ruling and refrained from addressing whether further action would be taken. Notably, Flutter highlighted a previous £5.7m jackpot payout to underline its commitment to customer fairness.

Durber’s victory raises broader questions about regulatory standards in online gambling and the obligations firms have to ensure clear, fair, and reliable operations for their customers. The fallout of this case may reignite calls for stricter regulations within the UK’s gambling industry in the coming months.