Paddy Power’s £1M Jackpot Ruling Could Reshape Gambling Disputes

^{Pictured: Corrine Durber with her husband (left) and her solicitor (right) outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London}

The High Court’s decision forcing Paddy Power to pay out a disputed £1 million jackpot has sparked industry-wide concerns, with legal experts warning the case could redefine how gambling operators handle software errors.

The case, Durber v Paddy Power, saw the court rule in favor of customer Corrine Durber, who had been denied a £1,097,132.71 “Monster Jackpot” after the bookmaker claimed a game malfunction.

Paddy Power instead offered “Daily Jackpot” of £20,265.14, citing its terms and conditions, which allow winnings to be voided in cases of technical errors.

Mr. Justice Ritchie dismissed that argument, stating that players have a reasonable expectation that on-screen results are accurate — comparing it to a physical casino where a winning outcome would stand. He referenced the landmark 2021 Betfred case, where a player successfully sued for a £1.7 million jackpot after being denied winnings due to a software glitch.

Legal experts, including Paul Kanolik of Ellis Jones Solicitors, suggest the ruling could set a precedent, limiting operators’ ability to rely on technical malfunctions to avoid payouts. 

“The judgment in Durber v Paddy Power shows that gambling operators may not necessarily be able to avoid paying out the winnings portrayed on-screen in those kind of erroneous circumstances,” Kanolik noted.

Meanwhile, Paddy Power’s parent company, Flutter UKI, has acknowledged the ruling and is currently reviewing the decision.