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A Ladbrokes manager lay dead on the floor after being struck with a hammer yet patrons continued to gamble away as if nothing had happened, authorities say.
The incident occurred in Morden, England, south of London. Customers just feet away were fixated on controversial fixed-odds machines as Andrew Jacovou’s lifeless body lay spread across the floor.
These same fixed-odds machines are the subject of debate in England following Prime Minister David Cameron’s call to curb usage. The machines, which have made more than £1bn for operators, can result in gamblers losing thousands of pounds in a matter of minutes. Cameron’s statement last week sent bookmaker shares plunging.
Meanwhile, Jacovou’s body was not discovered for over an hour-and-a-half.
Shafique Ahmad Aarij, 21, is tried to lure the 55-year-old father of three in to opening the counter door as part of an attempted raid on the shop. When Jacovou refused, the attacker smashed him eight times with the hammer in a matter of 12 seconds.
Though Jacovou hit his panic button, Ladbrokes headquarters failed to spot the manager on the remote CCTV.
His brutal death is likely to propel further debate over the existence of fixed-odds machines in casinos and bookmaking shops.
The attack occurred last May. Ahmad Aarij has been sentenced to life.
- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com
