A grieving family is demanding sweeping reforms of the UK's gambling industry following the inquest into the death of Ellen Mulvey, a "generous and caring" woman with a high-flying City career who harbored a secret gambling addiction. Mulvey, 44, a managing director at a global financial recruitment firm, died by suicide, with her family estimating she lost hundreds of thousands of pounds on both mainstream and unlicensed gambling platforms.
Her family described Mulvey as a fiercely protective and supportive figure who was also a dedicated mentor and an advocate for diversity in the investment industry. Interinvest, a UK investment industry network, has established an award in her name.
The inquest revealed Mulvey registered with the UK's self-exclusion scheme, Gamstop, in 2022. However, this offered no protection against unlicensed, overseas gambling sites, which she turned to in her final weeks, losing approximately £10,000. Her family expressed anger at the gambling sector, government, and the world for allowing such harm to occur, emphasizing that gambling products are designed to be addictive and that the system fails to adequately protect individuals.
The coroner concluded Mulvey's death was a suicide, exacerbated by gambling disorder, financial issues, and past relationship problems, noting her gambling addiction was long-standing and referenced in her final notes.