Jack Ritchie Wiki
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Warnings, treatment and information about the dangers of gambling were “woefully inadequate” before a young English teacher tragically killed himself, a coroner has concluded.
Jack Ritchie, 24, died in Vietnam in November 2017 after years of gambling problems that began when he started using fixed-odds betting terminals at age 17, a two-week investigation in Sheffield has learned.
Forensic evidence presented at the inquest showed the Hull University graduate regularly visited the BetVictor online betting website in the days before his death in Hanoi.
Sheffield Coroner David Urpeth ruled that “gambling contributed to Jack’s death”, calling the case a “reminder of the dire consequences that can come from a gambling addiction”.
Death
Jack’s parents, Liz and Charles Ritchie, believe that failures by UK authorities to address problem gambling contributed to their son’s death.
On Friday, Urpeth said in a narrative conclusion that information about the dangers of the game was available at the time of Jack’s death, as were some treatments.
He said he will write to various government departments with warnings about how future deaths can be prevented, and in particular highlighted the need for more training for GPs on gambling disorders.
Mr. Urpeth told the hearing that the “evidence showed that there were still significant gaps” in the provision for gambling disorders and warnings about the dangers of gambling.
“Jack didn’t understand that being addicted to gambling was not his fault,” the coroner said. “That lack of understanding led to feelings of shame and despair that, over time, led to suicidal feelings.”
Urpeth praised Jack’s parents for campaigning on gambling regulation, but emphasized that his role was not to comment on government policy.
The coroner said they had “channeled his terrible loss into a tireless battle” for reform and said they believed they had done everything they could to help his son.
Mr. and Mrs. Ritchie believe the hearing is the first so-called Article 2 investigation in a case involving post-game suicide. This means that your scope obtained an examination of whether any arm of the State failed in its duty to protect the right to life of your son.
In a statement, Jack’s parents said: “The coroner ruled that woefully inadequate state failures led to Jack’s death.
“The game was the root and trigger of Jack’s death: the court heard that he took a happy and healthy 17-year-old boy and killed him.
‘This investigation is about justice for our Jack. Jack died mistakenly believing that he was the problem. He was abused by parasitic gambling companies who create a deadly mess with profit fines and then blame the victims, saying he could have gambled “responsibly”.
We know that Jack was not the problem and in our pain we are also victims of a predatory industry and a collusive government. In this investigation, we seek justice not only for our beautiful and kind Jack, but for all others who are lost to the families who love them.
“Jack’s investigation reveals that the link between gambling and suicide has been known for years, but miles of deaths later there has still been no real change.”
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A spokesman for the UK lobby group the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) said: “Any suicide is a terrible tragedy and we are in no position, nor would it be right, to comment on any single tragic case.”
As mental health charity Mind and others acknowledge, the reasons behind any suicide are “complex and can have many different causes”.
But he said: “Such warnings, information and treatment were woefully inadequate and did not meet Jack’s needs.” Mr. Urpeth told the hearing: “Sadly, this addiction spiraled out of control and led to his suicide.”
He said he will write to various government departments with warnings about how future deaths can be prevented, and in particular highlighted the need for more training for GPs on gambling disorders.
Mr. Urpeth told the hearing that “evidence showed that there were still significant gaps” in the provision for gambling disorders and warnings about the dangers of gambling.
“Jack didn’t understand that being addicted to gambling was not his fault,” the coroner said. “That lack of understanding led to feelings of shame and hopelessness that eventually led to suicidal feelings.”
Urpeth praised Jack’s parents for campaigning on gambling regulation, but emphasized that his role was not to comment on government policy.
The coroner said they had “channeled his terrible loss into a tireless battle” for reform and said he believed they had done everything they could to help his son.
Investigation
Mr and Mrs Ritchie believe the hearing is the first so-called Article 2 investigation in a case involving post-game suicide. This means that her scope included an examination of whether any arm of the state failed in its duty to protect her son’s right to life.
In a statement, Jack’s parents said: “The coroner ruled that woefully inadequate state failures led to Jack’s death.
“The game was the root and trigger of Jack’s death: the court heard that he took a happy and healthy 17-year-old boy and killed him.
‘This investigation is about justice for our Jack. Jack died mistakenly believing that he was the problem. He was abused by parasitic gambling companies who create a deadly mess for profit and then blame the victims, saying they should have gambled “responsibly”.
We know that Jack was not the problem and in our pain we are also victims of a predatory industry and a collusive government. In this investigation, we seek justice not only for our beautiful and kind Jack, but for all others who are lost to the families who love them.
“Jack’s research revealed that the link between gambling and suicide has been known for years, but thousands of deaths later there has still been no real change.”
A spokesman for the UK lobby group the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) said: “Any suicide is a terrible tragedy and we are not in any position, nor would it be right, for us to comment on any single tragic case.”
As the mental health charity Mind and others acknowledge, the reasons behind any suicide are “complex and can have many different causes”.
Jack Ritchie Quick and Facts
- Gambling warnings ‘woefully inadequate’ before Jack Ritchie killed himself
- Sheffield coroner ruled that ‘gambling contributed to English teacher’s death’
- Jack died aged 24 in Vietnam in November 2017 after years of problems
- His parents have fought for changes to British gambling regulations
Source: https://wikisoon.com/
