dera
08-01-2010, 22:02
Bookmaker Ladbrokes has refused to pay out an accumulator bet worth £7.1 million to a man who wagered snow would fall on Christmas Day because it was accepted by mistake.
Cliff Bryant, 52, from Southampton, placed two £5 accumulators on snow falling across 24 towns and cities in the North and Midlands on December 25.
But staff at the bookmakers accepted the gamble by mistake as the company rules state such a wager can only be a single bet.
The company has honoured the relevant single bets and paid out only £31.78 instead. It has apologised to Mr Bryant for the mistake.
It is claimed the first accumulator would have netted Mr Bryant just over £4.9 million and the second £2.23 million.
The graphic designer is now seeking legal advice over the error and said he was "gutted" at the decision.
"This is a genuine mistake and if I make a mistake in my work like that it costs me dearly and I think the offer should be a lot more generous than they have made," he told the Southern Daily Echo.
"They are one of the leading bookmakers in the country and I think they ought to do their homework a bit better in future."
He urged the company to make its rules clearer.
A spokesman for Ladbrokes said company rules state that "snow at Christmas" bets must be singles only, rather than accumulators.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5j3dcVI7O1JlHeeEUcFxmDlrX4a8Q
Cliff Bryant, 52, from Southampton, placed two £5 accumulators on snow falling across 24 towns and cities in the North and Midlands on December 25.
But staff at the bookmakers accepted the gamble by mistake as the company rules state such a wager can only be a single bet.
The company has honoured the relevant single bets and paid out only £31.78 instead. It has apologised to Mr Bryant for the mistake.
It is claimed the first accumulator would have netted Mr Bryant just over £4.9 million and the second £2.23 million.
The graphic designer is now seeking legal advice over the error and said he was "gutted" at the decision.
"This is a genuine mistake and if I make a mistake in my work like that it costs me dearly and I think the offer should be a lot more generous than they have made," he told the Southern Daily Echo.
"They are one of the leading bookmakers in the country and I think they ought to do their homework a bit better in future."
He urged the company to make its rules clearer.
A spokesman for Ladbrokes said company rules state that "snow at Christmas" bets must be singles only, rather than accumulators.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5j3dcVI7O1JlHeeEUcFxmDlrX4a8Q