A man in the United Kingdom named Jon Matthews placed bets against the length of time that he was expected to live after doctors diagnosed him with mesothelioma, a cancer associated with asbestos exposure. At first, Matthews started small. In his first year, he bet only 100 pounds that he would live to see June of the next year. When he won the first bet, he made a continuous bet that would live to see the next June in 2009. He won 5000 pounds from the bet. Matthews then tried his luck again and placed another bet on his life. This time the odds on the bet were set at 100-1 against him living to the next year; therefore, if Matthews were to win on a 100 pound bet he would receive 10000 pounds.
Unfortunately, Matthews’ luck ran out and he passed away a few weeks before he would have won the big money.
See John M., Man Wins Bet on His LIfe But Dies Before He Can Collect, GamingZion, May 16, 2010.
Special thanks to David S. Luber (Attorney at law, Florida Probate Attorney Wills and Estates Law Firm) for bringing this article to my attention.
