Gloucestershire Gardener’s Jackpot Discrepancy Leads to High Court Ruling – A High Court decision has compelled Paddy Power to pay a Gloucestershire gardener, Corrine Durber, the remaining £1.07 million of a £1.09 million jackpot after the bookmaker initially paid only a fraction, citing a technical error.
What Happened
The dispute began in October 2020 when Corrine Durber was playing the ‘Wild Hatter’ game on Paddy Power via her iPad. After progressing through the game and spinning a wheel, her screen prominently displayed that she had won the ‘Monster Jackpot,’ valued at £1,097,132.71. However, instead of receiving the life-changing sum, Paddy Power paid her only £20,265.14, claiming a software error had incorrectly displayed the larger prize. The company maintained that its random number generator indicated she had won the smaller ‘Daily Jackpot.’ Durber challenged this decision, leading to a legal battle that lasted over four years. In March 2025, the High Court ruled in her favor, ordering Paddy Power to pay the outstanding amount of £1,076,867.57.
Key Details
- Date of Initial Win: October 18, 2020
- Game Played: Wild Hatter on Paddy Power’s online platform
- Displayed Jackpot: £1,097,132.71 (‘Monster Jackpot’)
- Initial Payout by Paddy Power: £20,265.14 (claiming ‘Daily Jackpot’ and technical error)
- High Court Ruling Date: March 2025
- Amount Ordered by High Court: An additional £1,076,867.57
- Plaintiff: Corrine Durber, a Gloucestershire gardener
- Defendant: Paddy Power
Why It Matters
This High Court ruling raises significant questions regarding consumer protection in online gambling and the accountability of companies for the information displayed on their digital platforms. The case tested whether a gambling company could legally refuse a prize explicitly shown on its own screen due to an internal technical error. The decision emphasizes the importance of digital game design integrity and contractual terms between online service providers and their users. It sets a precedent that could impact how technical glitches are handled in the online gambling industry, potentially strengthening consumer confidence and rights against companies attempting to void large payouts based on software malfunctions.