Coyle White Devine defeat Betfred in High Court Battle

Coyle White Devine has acted for Andrew Green, successfully obtaining Summary Judgment against Betfred, one of the UK’s largest bookmakers.

In January 2018 Andrew Green won £1.7m playing blackjack on Betfred’s online mobile app. At first the UK bookmakers congratulated Mr Green on his win but a few days later, Betfred notified that they no longer intended to pay the winnings due to the involvement of a third-party software glitch. After consulting with the team at Coyle White Devine it became apparent that Mr Green would have to pursue legal action against Betfred in order to enforce payment of his winnings. A team of specialist contract dispute lawyers from CWD, led by Peter Coyle, took on the fight for Mr Green to the High Court in London where a hearing was held in October of 2020. On 7 April 2021, Justice Alison Foster QC handed down her summary judgment in which it was confirmed that CWD had won the fight for Mr Green.

The Legal Issue

The issue at question concerned clauses of the standard form terms and conditions presented to all gamblers who engage in gambling activity with Betfred on their mobile app. Betfred claimed that clauses of the contract declare any winnings void in the event of a technical error. Despite these allegations, Betfred, or their software provider, Playtech, never provided any independent evidence of the alleged glitch. In any event, CWD argued that ‘glitch or no glitch’ didn’t matter. Betfred’s terms, on their true reading, did not effectively exclude liability for a pay-out to Mr Green. Alternatively, the exclusion clauses were unfair under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 so void and unenforceable.

Summary Judgement

The judgment of Mrs Justice Foster means that Betfred have to pay out the £1.7m won by Mr Green in January 2018 plus interest and legal costs. In essence, the judgment confirmed CWD’s long held position that the facts of the case were so simple and straightforward that a trial (and any in-depth analysis of computer coding) was not required. Her Ladyship explained that the wording of the contract was “inadequate…to exclude liability to pay out Mr Green’s winnings and she stressed that the terms were not “transparent or fair”. This landmark decision in favour of Mr Green may create an avenue for other game players who have either been fobbed off with ‘computer malfunction’ or who perhaps signed a non-disclosure agreement to keep secret the fact that they had accepted much less than they actually won.

Here at CWD we are keen to build on this success. We welcome anyone previously denied their winnings from a gambling provider to make an enquiry with us by telephone on 0203 301 1113 or by email at resolution@cwd-law.com.

Insights & News

Coyle White Devine defeat Betfred in High Court Battle

More Articles

Success for the CWD Criminal Department!

Legal aid abolishment

A family solicitor in Amersham can advise on other ways to separate

Helping you find the light at the end of the tunnel thanks to our family solicitors in Amersham

Private Crime Team Success Continues in 2016

Could mediation be your ticket to a hassle-free divorce?

Continuing success for CWD’s employment department

Guiding you through troubled waters thanks to our expert family solicitors in Amersham

Looking for a reliable solicitor firm in Amersham? Reasons to choose Coyle White Devine

Betfred customer denied £1.7million prize due to 'glitch' takes case to court

Have you been a victim of domestic abuse? Ways to find the best solicitor to represent you

VW emissions scandal widens to include Porsche claims

Blackjack gambler who won £1.7m with Betfred but never received a penny after firm blamed software glitch could be days away from getting his winnings at High Court

Social media platforms, free speech, and UK law: Who is accountable?

How does a family solicitor in Amersham support my family during a divorce?

Licence and Liberty Saved

Double the Success for the Private Crime Team as CPS Squeezed into Discontinuing

Betfred gambler in High Court battle over £1.7m payout he never received

Are you going through a messy divorce? Let us help you through the worst of it

Finding a Family Solicitor in Amersham who is right for you

Continuing success for the CWD Criminal Department!

Relieving financial pressure through an expert family solicitors in Amersham

Straightforward support by your family solicitors in Amersham

Recent Developments in Employment Law

Family solicitor attributes and what to look for

CWD's Peter Coyle's appearances on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio Wales

Divorce proceedings with a family solicitor in Amersham

The legal system is broken: Why are fees increasing but service and support decreasing?

The UK construction industry, insolvency, and the Labour Manifesto

What does family law entail?

Questions you should ask yourself when getting divorced

Missed out on a prenuptial agreement? Coyle White Devine’s guide to postnuptial agreements

Customer Takes Betfred to High Court After Being Denied £1.7m Prize

And they’re off! Betfred sued by £1.7m ‘winner’

Sorry seems to be the hardest word for Katie Hopkins after defaming journalist on Twitter

ANDY GREEN V BETFRED – COVERAGE BY THE DAILY MAIL, THE SUN, THE MIRROR, THE DAILY STAR, AND THE DAILY RECORD

Does a family solicitor in Amersham understand my pain?

Announcing our new Private Crime Department

Questions you should ask a family solicitor before hiring them

Emphatic Success for Coyle White Devine's Private Crime Team

What should I expect from Family Solicitors in Amersham?

Looking for family solicitors Amersham?

How family solicitors in Amersham can help with the issue of children during divorce

CWD Company Update

Announcement from Peter Coyle

Court of Appeal Rubs Salt in Stratstone's Wounds

CWD Crime Team - Health and Safety Executive Interviews

Need help with child custody? How our solicitors at Coyle White Devine can help you

ANDY GREEN V BETFRED (DAVID VS GOLAITH) – MORE MEDIA COVERAGE FROM THE BBC

Need help with a postnuptial dispute? Coyle White Devine family solicitors can help

Dos and don’ts of pre-nuptial agreements as suggested by our Amersham Family Solicitors

DAVID V GOLIATH – CWD helps Lincolnshire man take on the might of Betfred

ANDY GREEN V BETFRED – Peter Coyle’s Interview with The Gambling Insider

Sports law in the UK: A brief guide to the regulations that govern football

Another outstanding testimonial for the criminal department

How to avoid making a dogs dinner of choosing a company name

Family solicitors in Amersham - helping family disputes

Keeping your head above water thanks to our quality family solicitors in Amersham

Single dad refused £1.7 million Betfred payout over 'glitch' takes bookies to court

Advice from a family solicitor in Amersham

ANDY GREEN v BETFRED – more media coverage

Resolve your financial disputes professionally through reliable family solicitors in Amersham

Tips on how to keep your divorce civil and non-confrontational

Ways in which family solicitors in Amersham can assist with your divorce case

How do you get divorced?

Divorces and financial settlements How Coyle White Devine can help you with negotiations and resolution

How family solicitors in Amersham can help you

Private Crime Team's Hard Work Pays Off Again

Guiding you towards an amicable solution with a trustworthy family solicitors in Amersham

Gambler's luck runs out

Take the best way forward with family solicitors in Amersham you can trust

The legal advantages of getting a prenuptial agreement at Coyle White Devine

What does a family solicitor in Amersham do?

Putting the fun into fundraising in 2016

How the written word could help your business

Reach an amicable divorce using family solicitors Amersham

ANDY GREEN V BETFRED- THE MEDIA COVERAGE CONTINUES WITH THE TIMES