Online gambler, 25, was 'groomed' with £400 casino bonus hours before he took his own life - The Stars Post

Friday 29th May 2020

AN online gambler who lost £119,000 in five days was "groomed" with a £400 casino bonus hours before he took his life.

Engineer Chris Bruney, 25, got VIP status despite his cards being refused.

Chris Bruney was 'groomed' with a £400 casino bonus hours before he took his own life[/caption]

Bets firm PT Entertainment Services did no checks, says the Gambling Commision.

But it surrendered its licence and avoided a £3.5million fine.

Relatives of Chris, from Sheffield, feel "betrayed".

In a statement, the family said: "We found the courage to start this investigation and our trust has been betrayed.

"We want answers as to how the Gambling Commission allowed the company to close down before there were regulatory actions.

Chris got VIP status despite his cards being refused[/caption]

"We want Playtech to pay the proper fine of £3.5m and for individuals to be held to account."

PT's parent firm Playtech has vowed to pay the sum to bet addiction charities.

Charity Gambling with Lives said Chris had been "groomed by VIP schemes to gamble intensively despite showing clear indications of gambling disorder".