Punter bags $730,000 on winning bet

A RETIRED accountant was “completely speechless” when a betting agency called to reveal this stunning windfall.

Punting made easy? Yeah, right! One English gambler has pocketed half a million pounds on the back of a 10 pence each way sixfold accumulator which had been placed as part of the multiple bet.

A RETIRED accountant has transformed his life with one of the most staggering windfalls in punting history.

The north Londoner turned 20 pence (roughly 30 cents) into $730,000 with an each way accumulator he initially thought had failed.

The man, who did not want to be named, placed around $3 worth of different bets on seven horses running at three different race meets in the UK on the weekend.

But he gave up on his chances when Bendomingo, one of the horses that was racing at Newbury, lost its race.

It wasn’t until a betting agency called to confirm the six others had won he became aware of his huge win.

“I checked a couple of the early results on my tablet but then after seeing one of them had lost I thought I might have only been on for a couple of places, so didn’t bother to see how the rest of the horses had got on,” the man told the Daily Record.

“The next thing I knew, someone from Ladbrokes was phoning me to congratulate me for winning nearly half a million quid and to ask how I’d like the money, and I had no idea what he was talking about.

“I was completely speechless and I think it’s going to take a few days to sink in properly.

Dinsdale (left) was one of the horses that got home. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)

The huge odds were boosted by the number of long shots the man selected, including Wishicould (14/1), Monfass and McIvor (both 12/1), Peal Spectre (10/1), Boater (15/2) and Dinsdale (6/1).

His payout was also benefited by Ladbrokes Best Odds Guarantee concession, which added an extra $368,000 to the windfall.

“We’re sure this is one bet our customer won’t be able to forget now and we couldn’t be happier to pay the winnings to a lifelong racing fan,” Ladbrokes’ Alex Donohue said. “We’re sure from now he’ll follow racing results more closely as they come in.”

If you need support, phone Gambling Help Australia on 1800 858 858 or visit Gamblers Anonymous.