Family urges gambling reform after Ellen Mulvey inquest

An inquest into the death of Ellen Mulvey has prompted renewed calls for reform of the UK gambling sector. Her family is raising concerns about gaps in consumer protection. The hearing was told that Mulvey, a senior City professional, had accumulated significant losses over several years.

Later, she used unlicensed operators after self-excluding using GamStop. Her family has urged policymakers to take action. They warned that current safeguards do not go far enough to prevent harm.

Inquest hears details of long-term gambling harm

The inquest into Mulvey’s death heard that the 44-year-old had struggled with gambling addiction for several years. Family members believe the issue began around 2018. This is based on her financial records. The problem worsened over time.

Mulvey had a senior role as managing director of a global financial recruitment firm. Yet, she experienced increasing financial pressure because of her gambling activity. The coroner recorded a conclusion of suicide. She noted that gambling disorder was a contributing factor. There were also other life stressors.

Before her death in November 2025, Mulvey left a note describing addiction as “the worst disease ever”.

Her family described her as “generous and caring.” There was a clear contrast between her outward life and the hidden nature of her addiction.

Move to unlicensed operators raises concerns

The inquest also talked of the role of unlicensed gambling websites. Mulvey had registered with Gamstop in 2022. This is a UK self-exclusion scheme designed to block access to licensed operators.

However, the system does not cover offshore platforms. Evidence showed she later used unlicensed sites. These often have limited protections, if there are any at all.

In her final weeks, Mulvey lost around £10,000. Her family argued that the ease of accessing these platforms undermines existing safeguards. They said this gap allowed harmful behaviour to continue despite her attempts to stop.

Family calls for systemic reform

Mulvey’s partner and sister both criticised the wider gambling ecosystem. They argued that responsibility extends beyond individual operators.

They raised concerns about:

• The accessibility of unlicensed gambling sites.
• The design of gambling products.
• The lack of continuous protection from first exposure to relapse.

The family said the issue should be treated as a public health priority. They call for better intervention at multiple stages of the customer journey.

Their comments reflect debates within the UK. Policymakers and campaigners are continuing to assess whether current regulations adequately address gambling-related harm.

Expert evidence highlights psychological impact

Written evidence submitted to the inquest by addiction specialist Clare Gerada outlined the emotional toll associated with gambling disorder.

She noted that feelings like guilt, shame and worthlessness are common among those affected. These factors can contribute to worsening mental health. They make it harder for individuals to get help.

The coroner also referenced Mulvey’s long-term gambling behaviour and her use of offshore sites when delivering the conclusion.

“Her gambling was longstanding and went back many years. She had registered with Gamstop but then went on to use gambling websites registered outside of the UK. Her final notes make reference to her addiction.” – Elizabeth Wheeler, Coroner

 Ongoing debate around regulation and protection

The case adds to growing scrutiny of the UK’s gambling framework. This is particularly around:

• The effectiveness of self-exclusion tools.
• The role of unlicensed operators.
• The need for earlier intervention.

Reforms have been introduced in recent years. Critics argue that enforcement gaps remain, though. This is especially true for offshore platforms.

The outcome of this inquest is likely to feed into ongoing policy discussions about how to strengthen protections and reduce harm across both licensed and unlicensed markets.