A woman who took her own life after dealing with an addiction to gambling has inspired a protest to reform the practice. Kimberly Wadsworth, 32, died in 2018 after her addiction started on fixed-odd betting terminals (FOBTs) before moving on to online casino games, where she was made a 'VIP' and plied with 'free bets'.
Inspired by Kimberly's story, more than 30 people who have been harmed by gambling, including families who have lost loved ones to gambling-related suicide, are walking more than 40 miles from Sheffield to Leeds to raise awareness. Kimberly, from Leeds, who had a career in marketing, was described by her family as an 'outgoing young woman.' After her dad suddenly died, she started gambling in her 20s, which gradually increased.
In the beginning she gambled on FOBTs and at land-based casinos, but then started playing online casino games. Her addiction was alleged to be very rapid and she was given 'VIP' status by one of the companies she gambled with.
