Listen to this article:While this site is dedicated to celebrating all things bingo and helping players have fun, we are very aware that gambling harm is an ever-present danger and we firmly support safer gambling. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of regulators and operators, for some people, playing online bingo crosses stops being fun and can cause real harm.
Recently, a woman with a secret gambling addiction was found to have stolen more than £6,700 from a frail pensioner she was supposed to be caring for and used the money on betting and online bingo sites.
Over the course of two years, Karen Corner made hundreds of transactions using the pensioner’s bank account as she lost control of her gambling and amassed debts of four figures.
The case against Corner was heard in Leeds Crown Court. It was explained that the 61-year-old was a friend of the elderly man who resided in Horbury. The man had cerebral palsy and had been bedridden for six years. He had trusted Karen Corner with his bank card in order to pay for his groceries, medication and various bills.
Corner’s spending was discovered in May 2022 when another carer checked the man’s bank balance and saw the unauthorised transactions. Corner was then interviewed and admitted to spending the money while promising to pay it back.
According to prosecutor Zanisha Herbert, a total of £6,725 was missing. This was made up of 195 transactions to Paddy Power worth a total of £3,320, 55 transactions to William Hill worth £2,449, 16 transactions to Buzz Bingo worth £654, £91 spent on a Netflix subscription, £260 spent at petrol stations, and £41 spent at a hair salon.
The theft took place when the victim was aged between 75 and 77. He sadly passed away at the age of 79 and, prior to his death, gave an impact statement in which he said that he had to rely on charity because Corner’s theft had left him without enough money and that he “felt betrayed” by her actions.
Corner was listed using her maiden name, Moxon, on the court list. She pled guilty to a single charge of fraud by false representation.
A probation report on Corner revealed that her husband was diagnosed with cancer, and in 2019, she started attending bingo with friends. She began spending up to £50 per night and eventually started going on her own. Over time, she accumulated a £3,000 debt, which has since grown to £7,000.
Corner is still gambling, but she has now sought help. The court also heard that she has yet to inform her family or employer about the ongoing court case.
In mitigation, Erin Kitson-Parker stated: “No doubt this is the biggest mistake of her life. She has suffered in silence and kept it all to herself because she is so embarrassed and ashamed.” During the case, Judge Christopher Batty said:
“He was old, he was disabled and he was vulnerable. You were his friend and he relied on you for support, for care and friendship. You just took his money. That is worth custody.”
However, due to Corner’s husband’s illness, she was not handed a jail sentence. Instead, Judge Batty sentenced Corner to 10 months in jail, suspended for 18 months with 25 rehabilitation days and 75 hours of unpaid work.
While the vast majority of people are able to enjoy online bingo in a safe and responsible manner, anyone can develop a gambling addiction. If you are worried about your gambling or that of someone you know, then organisations such as GambleAware, GamCare, and Gamblers Anonymous are available to provide help, advice, and treatment free of charge.
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