14/02/2008

Gambler Sues William Hill Over £2m Loss

A compulsive gambler has made legal history by going to court in a bid to sue a bookmaker he claimed allowed him to continue betting, resulting in a loss of £2m.

Graham Calvert, 28, from Tyne & Wear is claiming the William Hill chain permitted him to make bets when he had asked them on two occasions to close his account - a process called "self-exclusion" - in May and June 2006.

He claims the largest bet he placed, at the height of his problem was £347,000 on a Ryder Cup bet. At the time this was the largest golf bet in history.

Mr Calvert, a respected greyhound trainer who at one stage was earning £30,000 a month, also revealed he began placing bets of £1,000 and £5,000 at a time, but they began to increase. His marriage also broke down as a result of his gambling.

"If I'd known I had a problem and didn't do anything about it, I would see myself as being 100% responsible," Mr Calvert said.

"The fact is I did try to go through the right procedures and I was let down."

It is claimed after William Hill banned him, he was later able to open another account and carry on betting until December of the same year. By his time he had lost £2m.

Mr Calvert has alleged the chain failed to operate its self-exclusion policy, and they should be held responsible. However, William Hill bookmakers are denying the allegations and will contest them in the High Court case next week.

(JM)

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