An investigation in the UK, concluded on March 17, has revealed that the operator Bet365 failed to identify signs of problematic gambling behavior in 19-year-old student Arthur Soums, who tragically took his own life in May 2022.
Bet365 sent Soums over 80 marketing messages, including offers for free bets. However, the operator's intervention was limited to just one automated email sent in February 2022.
Expert analysis confirmed that Soums exhibited multiple warning signs of distress starting from December 2021, including late-night gaming sessions and an increase in betting volume. The UK regulator, UKGC, completed a review of Soums' account back in June 2025, identifying discrepancies in Bet365's actions. However, the results were not communicated to either the operator or Soums' family.
The court has expressed its intention to submit a report to the UKGC aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future.