- Status
- Dismissed (dismissed)
- As of
- 29 Apr 2022 · read from the court record
- Court
- High Court (Queen's Bench Division) · First instance
- Docket
- [2022] EWHC 977 (QB); QB-2020-000869
- Judge
- Ellenbogen J
- Filed
- 2020
- Type
- Individual suit, sportsbook and fantasy lawsuits
- Money
- GBP 257,400 claimed; dismissed. Paddy Power paid GBP 28,600 on the GBP 1,300 each-way bet
- Payout
- No payout exists as of 14 Nov 2026
Status words follow the court record: a complaint states one side's allegations, only the court's orders decide anything. Filing a settlement claim is always free.
What this case is about
A telephone operator recorded GBP 13,000 each way instead of GBP 1,300 on Redemptive at Wolverhampton on 21 September 2019; the horse won at 16/1 and GBP 286,000 was credited, then reduced to GBP 28,600. Ellenbogen J held on 29 April 2022 that no contract for the larger stake was formed, that Longley knew of the mistake and 'snapped it up', and that the human-error clause was fair under the CRA 2015. Claim dismissed.
What this case is about
Longley v PPB Entertainment Ltd and others, [2022] EWHC 977 (QB), docket QB-2020-000869, is a High Court (Queen's Bench Division) claim by a bettor against Paddy Power. Ellenbogen J decided it. It is one of the Sports Betting Lawsuits about what happens when a bookmaker records a bet wrongly.
On 21 September 2019 a telephone operator recorded GBP 13,000 each way instead of GBP 1,300 on Redemptive at Wolverhampton. The horse won at 16/1 and GBP 286,000 was credited to the account, then reduced to GBP 28,600. James Robert Longley sued for breach of the betting contract, claiming GBP 257,400 plus interest.
Who is covered
The ruling concerns one claimant, Mr Longley, and three defendants: PPB Entertainment Ltd, PPB Counterparty Services Ltd and PPB Games Ltd. It is not a class action.
The reasoning is a guide for other bettors whose bets were recorded in error, though each case turns on its facts. For the group's other cases, see PPB Entertainment Ltd Lawsuits.
Is there a payout?
No payout exists in this case beyond what Paddy Power already paid. It paid GBP 28,600 on the GBP 1,300 each-way bet. The GBP 257,400 claim was dismissed.
There is no fund, class or claim process, and no settlement. The dispute was one person's contract claim.
What the court decided
The case is decided. On 29 April 2022 Ellenbogen J dismissed the claim. The court ran through offer and acceptance, unilateral mistake, the errors term in clause 16 and fairness under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
The judge held that no contract for the larger stake was formed. The judge found that Mr Longley knew of the mistake and "snapped it up". The human-error clause was also held fair under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
As of 14 November 2026 the status is dismissed. No later decision is recorded.
Why it matters
The judgment is an English precedent on misrecorded bets. A bookmaker's credited winnings do not bind it where the customer knew the stake was entered wrongly, and a clause covering human error can be fair under consumer law.
For other disputes over winnings, see Can You Sue a Casino or Sportsbook That Refuses to Pay? The Court Cases.
Questions people ask
How much did Paddy Power pay out?
GBP 28,600 on the GBP 1,300 each-way bet. The GBP 286,000 first credited to the account was reduced to that amount.
Why did Mr Longley lose?
The court found no contract was formed for the larger stake, that he knew of the mistake, and that the human-error clause was fair under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
Related cases
- Green v Petfre (Gibraltar) Ltd t/a Betfred: another English judgment on a bettor's claim against a bookmaker.
- Durber v PPB Entertainment Ltd (Paddy Power): a claim against the same group.
Who is involved
Plaintiffs: James Robert Longley
| Defendants | PPB Entertainment Ltd; PPB Counterparty Services Ltd; PPB Games Ltd |
|---|---|
| Judge | Ellenbogen J |
| Claims |
|
Is there a payout?
No payout exists in this case as of 14 Nov 2026. The court record shows GBP 257,400 claimed; dismissed. Paddy Power paid GBP 28,600 on the GBP 1,300 each-way bet.
What happens next
No future date is on the record we hold. The case is closed on the record we hold; later appeals or enforcement steps would be added here.
Timeline
2 dated steps on record, oldest first. Future dates come from court notices and can move.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2020 | Filed |
| 29 Apr 2022 | Dismissed |
Documents and sources
1 primary source (court file, administrator notice, regulator) and 0 secondary. Press is supporting evidence only.
- Docket: caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk
| What it supports | Source | Type | Retrieved |
|---|---|---|---|
| judgment, bet details, holdings | caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk | primary | 14 Nov 2026 |
Related cases
2 cases in the record share parties, claims or a settlement with this one.
| Case | Court | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Betfred v Green (GBP 1.7m blackjack glitch) | High Court (Queen's Bench Division) | Judgment entered |
| Durber v Paddy Power (GBP 1.097m Wild Hatter jackpot) | High Court (King's Bench Division) | Judgment entered |
Last checked against the sources on 14 Nov 2026. Found an error? Tell us and we correct the record with a dated note.