Gambler sues bookies 'after £2m loss'

A compulsive gambler is suing a betting chain which let him lose £2m (€2.7m) after he asked to be barred, it was reported today.

Greyhound trainer Graham Calvert, 28, from Tyne & Wear in England, wants William Hill to pay back his losses on the grounds they failed in their duty of care.

“If I’d known I had the problem and didn’t do anything about it, I would see myself as being 100% responsible,” he told the BBC.

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

Mr Calvert said he told William Hill to ban him in May 2006 but later opened another account and lost £2m (€2.7m), including £347,000 (€467,000) on a bet that the US would win the Ryder Cup.

The case opens at the High Court next week.

William Hill has said it will contest the allegations.