One of the UK’s largest betting companies, Paddy Power, has been given a record penalty after it emerged the betting giant had exploited a known gambling addict.

According to the story in The Times today, Paddy Power employees were aware in early 2014 that ‘Customer A’ was working five jobs to fund his gambling habit.

Although concerns were then raised with senior staff, the management simply told the staff to make sure Customer A spent even more time on gambling premises.

However just a few months later it then emerged that thanks to his gambling addiction he had lost his jobs, his home and access to his children.

In a voluntary agreement with the Gambling Commission, Paddy Power agreed to pay £280,000 to socially responsible causes as well as £28,000 to cover the Commission’s costs after failing to properly protect vulnerable people.

A spokesman from Paddy Power said: “The historical failings outlined in this report were clearly unacceptable.”

CARE are campaigning for the maximum stake on Fixed Odd Betting terminals (FOBTs) to be reduced from £100 to just £2 as one means of helping problem gamblers. The Gambling Bill in the House of Lords is aiming to accomplish this reduction and should receive its Second Reading in the House of Lord's shortly.

Speaking to Christian Today, CARE’s Chief Executive Nola Leach said: ““We do not think it is enough to just impose a fine, we need new legislation to hold the gambling industry properly to account.

“The Gambling bill in the House of Lords would cut the maximum stake from £100 to just £2 and with a Second Reading expected soon, we would urge the government to throw its weight behind this historic legislation.”