Moral Dilemma

okydoky

Not sure if this is the correct board...but friend picked up winnings from branch of well known bookies and was given considerably more than he was expecting. He just took the cash and left.
Would they have any right of recourse- due to loyalty card being in existence, they can track him down, but bearing in mind you do not sign for winnings, not sure if they would have a leg to stand on.
Any experience??

Darksun

Well, something to think about is that at the end of the day, someone will take a fall for this, and it'll most probably be the cashier who made the mistake, and they may lose their job because of it. Of course, even if he returned the money they may still lose their job, it isn't something he has any control over.

fozzeh

I take the winnings were in cash? So a loyalty card wouldn't show much cash was actually received...just what was supposed to be received.

Darksun is right about what the recourse may be for the cashier.

Is it a significant amount and the guilt too much of a burden? If so, Sport Relief is just around the corner.

jdturk

fozzeh wrote: »

I take the winnings were in cash? So a loyalty card wouldn't show much cash was actually received...just what was supposed to be received.

Darksun is right about what the recourse may be for the cashier.

Is it a significant amount and the guilt too much of a burden? If so, Sport Relief is just around the corner.

Or how about, shockingly take it back to the bookies, yes bookies may be hated for taking all our money but stealing is stealing

suited-aces

If the bookie lost the money, I'd be less forceful in my answer, but as it is, it'll be an underpaid overworked assistant footing the bill, so I would implore your friend to do the right thing.

elsietanner71

I once overpaid a customer £100 when I worked in a bookies due to the fact this particular individual wanted to use his winnings to fund his next bet before the winning bet had even been settled. Very confusing for anyone to accurately try and record that but this guy spent so much money, the manager let him do what he wanted.

I had to phone him and explain the mistake (he knew he'd been overpaid) and ask him to return it. He did, but I would have been investigated (for fraud / theft / incompetence) if he hadn't.

Implore your friend to take it back - betting office staff are paid naff all and usually have part time contracts but work many more hours than that so the company gets out of paying them hoilday pay.

fozzeh

fozzeh wrote: »

I take the winnings were in cash? So a loyalty card wouldn't show much cash was actually received...just what was supposed to be received.

Darksun is right about what the recourse may be for the cashier.

Is it a significant amount and the guilt too much of a burden? If so, Sport Relief is just around the corner.

jdturk wrote: »

Or how about, shockingly take it back to the bookies, yes bookies may be hated for taking all our money but stealing is stealing

I'm covering that off in paragraph 2. Of course he can take it back!

I don't hate bookies. They offer a defined service which offers winnings. However, the consequences may be bad when addiction kicks in...but you won't see alcohol banned in the near millenia.

MyRubyRed

Agree that the member of staff could take the fall for this by being made to payback the shortfall from wages. Don't know if it's legal but it did happen to a friend of mine who worked in a local betting shop.

zootscoot

Keeping money received by mistake can amount to theft see the case of Gilks

drsquirrel

zootscoot wrote: »

Keeping money received by mistake can amount to theft see the case of Gilks

But you cannot just bang up OP right this moment.

Without proof that OP is the one that received the money, there is no possible conviction.

Not that I am suggesting they don't return it - especially if they ask for it back - but I would still ask them "how they know" it was you, otherwise they could just accuse anyone of having it.


Personally if it was small (under 10, maybe 20) I wouldn't bother returning it unless reasonably asked, otherwise I would return it - if you want to be nice, return it to the same cashier and you never know their bosses might never know (probably too late for that?). When you do return it though, maybe sure you have PROOF that you have returned it.

solodanceparty

Think about it. If he lost £100, would he want someone to return it or go on a spending spree? Your friend should return it. It's not his money.