When Corrinne Durber, a gardener from Gloucestershire, UK, noticed that her £1 million jackpot win on a Paddy Power game was drastically reduced to just £20,000, she faced a critical decision. Opting not to accept the reduced payout, Durber initiated a legal challenge against the gambling giant. This decision led to a High Court case that concluded with Durber being awarded exactly £1,076,867.57, marking a significant victory for consumer rights.

The game and initial confusion:

The controversy began when Durber engaged with the Wild Hatter game on Paddy Power’s platform, a game advertised as blending elements of a traditional fruit machine with the dynamics of a wheel of fortune. In October 2020, she successfully progressed to the game’s second phase and spun the jackpot wheel. The screen indicated she had hit the “monster jackpot” of £1,097,132.71. However, the excitement was short-lived as she was subsequently paid only £20,265.14, with Paddy Power claiming a display error had occurred, erroneously showing the monster jackpot instead of the smaller daily jackpot.

Refusing to settle for less, Durber sued PPB Entertainment Limited, which operates as Paddy Power and Betfair, accusing them of breach of contract. The legal proceedings attracted wide media attention and public scrutiny, evolving into a significant case about the responsibilities of online gaming providers and the expectations set by digital displays in gaming.

The case was decided by Mr. Justice Ritchie, who asserted in his ruling that the ethos of “what you see is what you get” should apply as much in online gaming as it does in the physical gaming world. This principle was crucial in the 62-page judgment that favored Durber, underscoring that customers should trust that they will receive what is displayed as won on the screen.

Reaction from Paddy Power and industry repercussions:

Following the judgment, a spokesperson for Flutter UKI, which owns Paddy Power, expressed regret about the situation. As reported by The Guardian, the spokesperson stated, “Every week tens of thousands of customers win with Paddy Power. We are committed to providing the best customer experience and ensuring fairness across our platforms. This case has been a learning experience, and we are carefully reviewing the judgment to improve our services.”

Durber’s victory has been seen not only as a win for her personally but also as a landmark moment for consumer advocacy in digital gambling. Her case has prompted discussions about the transparency and accountability of online gambling platforms, potentially leading to more stringent regulations to protect players.

In her statements post-verdict, Durber expressed both relief and a resolve never to gamble with Paddy Power again. She highlighted the emotional and financial strain the legal ordeal caused, advising others to be wary of engaging with platforms that might not honor displayed winnings.