Man Bets On His Life and Wins

When Jon Matthews, a 59-year-old man from Buckinghamshire, England, was diagnosed with a type of cancer called mesothelioma, his doctors told him he had mere months to live. But instead of saying his goodbyes, Matthews decided to make a bet on his own slim chances of survival—and now his decision is paying off.

When Jon Matthews, a 59-year-old man from Buckinghamshire, England, was diagnosed with a type of cancer called mesothelioma, his doctors told him he had mere months to live. But instead of saying his goodbyes, Matthews decided to make a bet on his own slim chances of survival—and now his decision is paying off.

In 2006, he placed two £100 bets, for which he was given odds of 50-to-1. He would win the first bet if he was still alive to collect his winnings in June 2008; the second, in June 2009. Despite all medical predictions to the contrary, Matthews is still doing well, and has managed to collect £10,000 in payouts. If he is still around another year from now, Matthews stands to make an additional £10,000.

For Matthews, the betting isn’t about the money—he is planning to give most of his winnings to charities, including the UK cancer charity McMillan.

“When I was diagnosed I was told mesothelioma was a death sentence,” he told BBC News. “I wasn’t that fussed because everyone has to die some time. But the interesting thing for me was how long it would take - would it take weeks or years?”

Although Matthews’ bet seemed a little bit morbid to the betting agency he used, William Hill, which usually deals in sporting events, the business was convinced to make the deal with Matthews because of his overwhelming determination. Matthews “was adamant that it would give him an additional incentive to battle his illness,” said a William Hill spokesperson, Graham Sharpe.

And while the agency generally doesn’t like to be on the losing side of a bet, the agents at William Hill are crossing their fingers that Matthews will receive his payout next year, too.

“Never in 30 years in the business have I been so pleased to pay a winning client £10,000, with, I trust, a further £10,000 to come next year,” said Sharpe.