Man Wins £70,000 Payout After Medication Turns Him Into Gambling Addict

A 66-year-old man from Hampshire has been awarded a £70,000 payout after developing a gambling addiction due to a medication prescribed for restless leg syndrome.

Philip Stevens, who had no history of addiction, was given Ropinirole, a dopamine antagonist, in 2017.

Unfortunately, he was not warned about the potential side effects, which included impulse control disorders, leading him to a spiralling gambling and shopping addiction.

Stevens, who previously enjoyed betting on horse races in a controlled manner, soon found himself unable to stop gambling.

His betting habits escalated dramatically after starting the medication, making frequent wagers on his smartphone—even waking up in the middle of the night to gamble.

He also began spending large sums on shopping, especially for clothes and fishing gear.

According to Leigh Day solicitors, Stevens spent thousands of pounds on online gambling sites, eventually losing all interest in winning.

His compulsive behaviour worsened over the four years he took ropinirole.

It was only after stopping the medication, on advice from a neurologist, that his compulsions subsided.

However, Stevens suffered severe withdrawal symptoms, including paranoia, which led him to question whether his children were truly his, even requesting DNA tests.

The case was settled without the doctor admitting liability.

Stevens’ lawyer, Angharad Vaughan, expressed hope that the case would prompt better warning practices for medications with potential side effects.

“This case highlights the importance of ensuring patients are fully informed about the risks of their treatment,” Vaughan said.

The settlement has highlighted the significant impact that a lack of information about medication side effects can have on patients’ lives, as seen in Stevens’ case.