Grandfather's Heart Attack After £285k Gambling Jackpot Proves a Glitch
A 76-year-old grandfather suffered a devastating heart attack after his dreams of financial security were shattered when a £285,000 online casino win turned out to be a system glitch that vanished within 24 hours. John Riding, from Lancashire, had been celebrating what he believed was a life-changing windfall, only to see the six-figure sum disappear from his William Hill account without proper explanation.
Ecstatic Celebration Turns to Devastation
John Riding had been playing the Cherry Bonanza casino game on his mobile device at a stake of 10 pence per game when the screen displayed a win of £285,700. "I was ecstatic. I couldn't believe it, it felt like a dream," he told reporters. "I didn't think things like that would happen to me." The retired printing boss immediately visited his local William Hill branch in Burnley, where staff confirmed the balance in his account, leading to celebrations with fellow customers.
Riding had already begun making plans for his unexpected fortune, including:
- Moving closer to his son, daughter, and grandchildren
- Paying for a family holiday to St Ives
- Purchasing a car for his granddaughter
- Eliminating financial worries for his entire family
System Glitch and Disappearing Funds
Approximately 24 hours after the apparent win, Riding discovered the £285,000 had vanished from his account. The only explanation provided was a "manual adjustment" notification, with the account showing a refund of just £15.40 instead of the substantial jackpot. "I was absolutely devastated. It was like my dreams had been shattered into pieces," Riding explained.
The technical issues began immediately after the win, with Riding unable to withdraw funds due to repeated password lockouts and failed customer service attempts. "This was causing massive amounts of stress as I am not tech savvy," he said. "I just couldn't understand why I couldn't withdraw the money that I had won and that was showing in my account."
Health Crisis and Family Anguish
Ten days after the initial win, Riding collapsed in agony and was blue-lighted to hospital after suffering what doctors described as a "significant attack on his heart." His daughter Clare recalled the terrifying moment: "I just wanted to get there and be with him. I thought he was going to die. I was terrified."
Family members directly attribute the health crisis to the stress caused by the gambling glitch. "I blame the stress for the heart attack. We all do!" said Clare. Medical professionals noted that Riding isn't overweight, doesn't smoke or drink, and has clear arteries, prompting questions about recent stress levels.
Wider Impact and Legal Action
Riding is not alone in experiencing this disappointment. Solicitor Paul Kanolik from Ellis Jones revealed his firm has been contacted by approximately 50 punters affected by the same glitch and is considering a group action against William Hill. "It has been understandably devastating for customers affected by this," Kanolik stated, noting that some customers had already spent portions of their winnings before receiving demands for repayment within 72 hours.
William Hill acknowledged the issue in a statement, explaining that during routine platform reviews, they identified a problem with the Jackpot Drop game that "temporarily resulted in incorrect sums being credited to players' balances." The company stated they are retrieving funds in line with their terms and conditions while apologizing for the inconvenience and wishing Riding a speedy recovery.
The case highlights growing concerns about gambling platform glitches and their real-world consequences, with affected customers experiencing emotional whiplash from apparent financial security to devastating loss and, in Riding's case, serious health implications.
