Football fan died after being targeted by 'predatory' gambling sites
A Liverpool fan tragically took his life after developing a severe gambling addiction fueled by illegal, unregulated websites.Summary
Oliver Long, a 36-year-old Liverpool fan, died by suicide in February 2024 after struggling with a severe gambling addiction. Despite attempting to self-exclude through GamStop, he was relentlessly targeted by unlicensed overseas gambling sites not blocked by the scheme. These sites, often found through searches for “Not on GamStop,” deliberately target vulnerable individuals and are linked to criminal networks, including those involved in terrorism and organized crime. Long lost his job, home, and partner due to his gambling, depleting £20,000 in savings in a single month. His sister, Chloe Long, emphasized the predatory nature of these sites, stating they “stripped away Ollie’s enjoyment” and ultimately “stole…his life.” The coroner expressed concern about public awareness of the dangers posed by illegal gambling sites and called for increased efforts to highlight these risks.
(Source：BBC News)