UK coroner links teenager’s death to gambling-related mental distress
A West London coroner’s inquest concluded that Arthur Soames, 19, died by suicide after mental health distress was exacerbated by gambling. The inquest heard that he placed 1,600 wagers in the months before his death and that bet365 sent him more than 80 marketing messages and one warning email. bet365 said it would consider the findings and disputed that gambling caused his death, citing his account’s net winning position.
The inquest’s findings and the operator’s response bear on safer-gambling interventions and marketing practices.