'My cousin died after placing 600 bets in a row'

"The family of a man who say he took his own life after placing more than 600 bets in an hour have told the BBC that his inquest was a "battle" from beginning to end, as they struggled to persuade the coroner to consider gambling as a factor in his death."

"More than five years later, in November 2025, a coroner concluded that a gambling disorder had contributed to his death. Adams's cousin, Natalie Ashbolt, said the family had to instruct lawyers in an effort to have the coroner consider the impact of his gambling, and is calling for better support for families affected by gambling-related deaths. Ashbolt, whose family also had the backing of a campaign group called Gambling with Lives, said she was shocked by how hard the process was, and worries other bereaved families will struggle to achieve a similar outcome at inquest."

""He liked his own company but he also liked time with family and friends, and work colleagues," she told BBC London. "Always keeping busy. But generally fun-loving and up for a laugh. Didn't take things too seriously in life.""

Lee Adams, 36, placed more than 600 bets on an online slots website in the early hours of 24 July 2020 shortly after receiving his monthly salary. He took his own life within hours. A coroner concluded in November 2025 that a gambling disorder had contributed to his death. The family instructed solicitors and said they had to fight to persuade the coroner to consider gambling as a factor. Campaign group Gambling with Lives supported the family. Solicitors Leigh Day noted this was one of very few inquests to examine gambling in depth despite estimates of up to nearly 500 gambling-related suicides annually. The family calls for better support for bereaved relatives.

Read at www.bbc.com