'I won £8k after a cracking bet - but still haven't…

'I won £8k after a cracking bet - but still haven't got the dosh'

A man claims William Hill is stalling on a massive pay-out after he won more than £8,000 from a £3,000 bet on the snooker.

But after the Manchester Evening News got involved - after a near month-long delay - the bookmaking giant said 'payment arrangements are now being made with the customer'.

Retired lecturer Martyn Pye staked the amount on Belgium snooker ace Luca Brecel to win the World Snooker Championship 2023 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.

Mr Pye, 62, said he put the bet on at odds of 19-10 at the William Hill bookmakers on Baillie Street in Rochdale town centre on Sunday, April 30, at 2.25pm.

Brecel defeated four-time champion Mark Selby 18-15 in the final - meaning Mr Pye's bet came in. But, he said, William Hill still haven't paid him his total winnings of £8,700, despite him going into the bookies three times since the win was confirmed.

Mr Pye took his betting slip with him, which confirms his stake, the odds and the winnings, as he posed for a photograph outside the branch of the national chain for the M.E.N.

Mr Pye with his winning slip (Manchester Evening News)

Mr Pye, a father-of-two who lives off Whitworth Road in the town and described himself as a 'professional gambler', said he's furious at the bookmaker.

"I had a £3,000 bet with William Hill and they are refusing to pay me out," he said. "They took my money and they owe me £8,700."

Mr Pye claimed that two-and-a-half years ago, he went into the same branch in Rochdale to place a bet, but they refused to serve him unless he gave them proof of his identification and his personal details.

He said he refused to do that on data protection grounds. Mr Pye said the stance of the bookies concerned government guidance to address problem gamblers.

He said he didn't bet at the branch for more than two years as a result, but started again within the last six months.

Mr Pye, who said he bets on horse racing and snooker, said: "I have watched snooker all my life and the final concluded on the Monday evening. Luca won for me. I went to the bookies on the Tuesday dinnertime, but they said they could not pay me out.

The winning slip (Manchester Evening News)

"They said they could not pay me out until I brought some ID down. I went back home and within the hour I went back down.

"I gave them a bank statement . They said I would be paid out within 48 hours. I also took some photo ID in the form of a driving licence.

"The manager of the shop took all the details from me. He took a photocopy of my bank statement and told me that I would be paid out within 48 hours.

"I went in with £3,000 in cash. He said I would be paid in cash within 48 hours."

Mr Pye said he's heard nothing since, despite going into the bookies several times. "I have been in twice since," he added.

"I am owed the money and should have been paid out weeks ago.

"Their futile excuse is two-and-a-half years ago they asked for identification and a bank statement. This was apparently related to affordability checks and the Gambling Commission. I refused to give them this information and didn't bet with Hills for two years.

"However I've been placing bets with Hills for the last six months - no questions asked. I invested £3,000 on Luca Brecel at 19/10. Obviously, the rest is history. He won. It's a winning bet and still, to this day, they are refusing to pay out."

888 Holdings Plc acquired William Hill in July, 2022.

The Manchester Evening News contacted William Hill for comment via 888 and asked bosses why the bet hasn't been paid out.

A statement read: "We have legal and regulatory obligations that we must meet. Our request for additional information and our processes for dealing with these are designed to comply with those obligations. In relation to this case, payment arrangements are now being made with the customer."

READ NEXT:

Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.

Already a member? Sign in here