Woman With Gambling Addiction Used Unlicensed Sites Before Death

Woman with gambling addiction used unlicensed sites before her death Ellen Mulvey, a 44-year-old managing director at Meraki Talent in London, died at Macclesfield District General Hospital on November 7, 2025. Her family confirmed she had self-excluded from licensed online gambling operators through GAMSTOP prior to her death but continued to access unregulated gambling websites in the weeks leading up to her passing. An inquest into her death opened at Cheshire Coroner’s Court on April 17, 2026, and is examining evidence from her family, her general practitioner, and expert testimony from Baroness Clare Gerada, a leading addictions specialist and founder of the NHS Primary Care Gambling Service. The hearing will assess whether Ms Mulvey was suffering from a gambling disorder and whether it contributed to her death. Ms Mulvey had more than 25 years of experience in the recruitment industry. Following her death, Meraki Talent CEO Andrew Welsh shared a tribute on social media, stating: “It is with the deepest sadness that we share the news of the passing of our colleague and friend, Ellen Mulvey.” GAMSTOP is a free self-exclusion service that allows individuals to block themselves from all licensed online gambling operators in the UK. However, it does not apply to unlicensed or offshore gambling sites, which remain accessible to users who have enrolled in the scheme. Experts have warned that some unregulated platforms actively target individuals who have self-excluded via GAMSTOP, marketing themselves as “Not on GamStop” to exploit vulnerable users. The inquest is ongoing, with further evidence expected to be presented regarding the role of unlicensed gambling sites in Ms Mulvey’s gambling behavior and health outcomes prior to her death.