Oliver Long, 36, was found dead in February 2024
Oliver Long had been diagnosed with a ‘severe gambling addiction'(Image: PA Media)
The sister of an “endlessly kind” Liverpool FC supporter who took his own life has told an inquest that “predatory” gambling systems “consumed his mind”. Oliver Long was found dead in East Sussex on February 23, 2024, having sent goodbye messages to relatives several days earlier.
The 36-year-old had received a diagnosis of “severe gambling addiction” and turned to unlicensed offshore platforms after attempting to self-exclude. On Tuesday, East Sussex Coroners’ Court heard evidence from Mr Long’s relatives who said that “gambling had made him believe that he was better off dead”, with the family “firmly” convinced it was responsible for his death.
Senior Coroner for East Sussex Laura Bradford recorded a short form conclusion of “suicide” and has ordered a prevention of future deaths report about unlicensed gambling.
Ms Bradford said: “People may not be aware that they had moved outside of the protection afforded by the regulated area when accessing unlicensed gambling providers.”
She added that while “significant work” has been undertaken, “more can be done” to highlight the risks of unlicensed gambling.
Mr Long, originally from Buckinghamshire but who lived in London since 2012, was a big Liverpool FC supporter.
Oliver Long(Image: Copyright remains with handout provider)
In a pen portrait read delivered in court by Mr Long’s sister Chloe, he was characterised as “intelligent, quick-witted and endlessly kind”, though “gambling took hold” and “consumed” him.
Ms Long said: “The gambling products he encountered were not harmless entertainment. They stripped away Ollie’s enjoyment of the game he loved so much.
“They were highly addictive, predatory systems designed to exploit. And they did. They stole from Ollie – not only his money, but his peace, his future, and ultimately, his life.”
Mr Long initially started betting after winning £15,000 through his first sign-up promotion, continuing to place bets and “do well” for six months before things deteriorated. The court was told that he appeared to have self-excluded from UK gambling platforms in 2022, subsequently turning to unregulated overseas gambling websites which “target” vulnerable individuals like himself throughout 2023.
Bank records showed his savings diminished by £20,000 during April 2023 alone, with his engagement on these platforms persisting until his death.
At the height of his addiction, Mr Long lost his house, his job and split up with his long-term partner, the court heard.
Oliver Long had struggled with depression and anxiety(Image: PA Media)
Tim Miller, executive director of the Gambling Commission, informed the coroner that these websites are “deliberately seeking to target people who are already experiencing harm”, while promoting themselves as alternatives to UK self-exclusion schemes such as “GamStop”.
He explained that certain platforms are operated by “criminal networks” with connections to “terrorists and organised crime”.
Mr Miller said: “Because of our work we had over 81,000 individual URLs being removed from search engines, a lot of those will have been ‘not on GamStop’ sites.”
He expressed the Commission’s “disappointment” regarding Meta’s lack of proactive measures in removing these sites, noting there is “much more” the company could accomplish.
Nevertheless, new legislation granting the Gambling Commission enhanced authority to compel internet service providers to address illegal websites is anticipated to take effect next year.
Mr Long had spent a weekend with his family prior to his death, before travelling to an Airbnb accommodation on the day he was due to begin a new job.
His death was recorded as “multiple injuries” said to have occurred after a fall from height in East Sussex.
Mr Long had battled with depression and anxiety, conditions the court was told are “common” mental health problems linked to gambling.
He had also had a long history of cannabis use which he said he used to “numb” the pain of his addiction, and isolate himself, the court heard.
The Prevention of Future Deaths Report order will be sent to the Department of Health, Department of Education and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.