Ladbrokes Employee Stole £9,000 from His Shop

This week a man addicted to gambling that was employed at Ladbrokes was given community service after he stole £9,000 from the company in the form of credit.

31-year-old Mustafa Khader worked at a Ladbrokes retail shop, but didn't reveal himself as an addict to the company. He'd excluded himself from betting stores, having been a compulsive gambler for 12 years prior. He found himself drawn to fixed-odds betting terminals, having given himself £9,000 credit that he wasn't supposed to have. He then called in sick the next day, bolting and never returning to work.

In court the judge overseeing the case was sympathetic to Khader, saying that the case was "Akin an alcoholic working in a brewery." He also derided gambling companies, who said that checks for addiction needed to be a part of the employment screening process.

The defendant was given 200 hours community service and 30 hours of court-ordered gambling rehab, but avoided a jail sentence.

If you or someone you know is facing gambling addiction, we urge you to seek help. You can find information on identifying and fighting addiction here.