Customer fills a lawsuit against a bookmaker in London over losses

Star Sports, the London bookmaker, has denied having any prior knowledge about the customer mentioned in the lawsuit.

According to the customer, Star Sports was aware of their gambling addiction.

Scott O’Brien, a former customer, is taking independent bookmaker Star Sports to court, alleging that the company permitted him to bet hundreds of thousands of pounds despite knowing about his gambling addiction. The case is currently being heard by Judge Heather Baucher at the Central London County Court.

According to O’Brien, who is from West London, he spent 10 months in a rehabilitation centre in 2002-2003 after attempting suicide due to his gambling addiction. He claims that Star Sports was aware of his problem but still allowed him to place bets totalling £419,252 on two separate occasions, September 14, 2018 and March 30, 2019, at its Mayfair betting shop, resulting in a total loss of £48,859.

Star Sports denies the allegations made by O’Brien, including that he informed a cashier about his gambling problems and that he used self-service betting terminals. However, another significant aspect of the case is the issue of O’Brien’s personal wealth and whether he was able to afford the bets he made.

The case also involves the question of the customer’s affordability to place bets. He is reported to have lived in the affluent Knightsbridge district and made £2.2m when he sold a business he directed. This is a key issue in the ongoing government review of gambling legislation, which is yet to be concluded.

Star Sports, which was established in 1999 by racing expert and professional bettor Ben Keith, has revealed the launch of its eighth betting shop in London’s Mayfair area on Curzon Street.