Blackjack gambler WINS High Court battle against Betfred over its refusal to pay out £1.7 million jackpot he won in online game
- Andrew Green, 54, had been battling Betfred for the pay-out since January 2018
- He scooped the £1.7 million jackpot playing Blackjack but payout was stopped
- The betting shop claims a ‘glitch’ was in the software but judge ruled against it
- Mr Green said: ‘It’s a win for everybody that they can’t treat people like this’
A gambler has today become a millionaire after winning a High Court battle against betting firm Betfred over its refusal to pay him a £1.7 million jackpot he won in an online casino.
Andrew Green, 54, has been battling the bookies for the pay-out since netting the top prize in January 2018.
The betting shop claims there was a ‘glitch’ in the software and Mr Green would have seen his money grow exponentially had he continued playing.
Speaking after the judgment in his favour, Mr Green said: ‘I’m numb, very numb. Pleased it’s over and done with, still so unreal. I don’t know what to say, it’s just unreal, we finally got it to an end, there’s relief.’
Andrew Green outside the Royal Courts of Justice, in central London, where he sued Betfred
The incredible win value was shown in Andrew Green’s chips balance which was evidence
He continued: ‘This to me today isn’t just a win for me, it’s a win for everybody that they can’t treat people like this.
‘People who use these platforms hopefully will realise with my story there is justice out there and don’t be bullied by these people and in the end, justice will be theirs, it will happen as it has for me.’
He added: ‘I did nothing wrong, I played a game, I was congratulated for five days on being a millionaire, and then it was snatched away from me.’
Mr Green, from Washingborough, Lincolnshire, celebrated for five days when he became a millionaire playing blackjack on the website.
But his dreams were crushed when the company claimed there had been a ‘software malfunction’ which led to the jackpot so his winning were void.
Mr Green said at the time no evidence had been presented to confirm the software problem and he sued the company at the High Court.
Andrew Green’s solicitor Peter Coyle, of law firm Coyle White Devine, said: ‘I am absolutely thrilled for Andy and his family.
‘Over the last three years I think I’ve done as much counselling as I’ve given legal advice, as Andy’s mental resilience has been tested by Betfred to its very limit.
‘Today’s decision by Mrs Justice Foster makes it all worthwhile. Our justice system has delivered exactly the right result and it will give hope to others who may be thinking that the big, rich guys always win.’
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