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Newcastle-based solicitors are helping a problem gambler sue betting giant William Hill.

Ward Hadaway, which is based in Newcastle, are representing greyhound trainer Graham Calvert, from Wearside, who wants William Hill to pay back '2.1million worth of lost bets, as he claims that the company failed in its duty of care.

Calvert, 28, a successful greyhound trainer, lost the amount in just six months. He claims that William Hill failed in its duty of care, as they allowed him to open a new account two months after he requested that they close his old one. Calvert requested 'self-exclusion' from the gambling giant, which is a process where customer's can request to voluntarily have their betting account closed. William Hill provides this facility to gamblers, 'enabling customers to close their account or accounts for a minimum period of six months up to five years as requested.'

Calvert placed thousands of pounds worth of bets on horse races and once placed 20 bets of '30,000 in just one day. His losses included a massive '347,000 bet on the US to win the 2006 Ryder Cup, which was so huge, it made headlines at the time.

Ward Hadaway said that their client's gambling losses had caused his wife and children to leave him. He has also lost his greyhound training licence and business, which had previously earned him around '30,000 a month. They said: 'For whatever reason, William Hill failed to operate its self-exclusion policy, with disastrous consequences for our client despite knowing that he had a gambling problem and we argue that they should be held responsible for that.'

William Hill spokesman Graham Sharpe would not comment on specific details of the case, but said that it was the customer's responsibility to cease gambling. The betting firm also said: 'We will be contesting the case vigorously.'

The case will begin in the high court next week and it is thought that it will last five days. If Calvert is successful, it is thought that the floodgates will open for other gamblers to take similar action against betting agents.

Newcastle-based solicitors are helping a problem gambler sue betting giant William Hill.

Ward Hadaway, which is based in Newcastle, are representing greyhound trainer Graham Calvert, from Wearside, who wants William Hill to pay back '2.1million worth of lost bets, as he claims that the company failed in its duty of care.

Calvert, 28, a successful greyhound trainer, lost the amount in just six months. He claims that William Hill failed in its duty of care, as they allowed him to open a new account two months after he requested that they close his old one. Calvert requested 'self-exclusion' from the gambling giant, which is a process where customer's can request to voluntarily have their betting account closed. William Hill provides this facility to gamblers, 'enabling customers to close their account or accounts for a minimum period of six months up to five years as requested.'

Calvert placed thousands of pounds worth of bets on horse races and once placed 20 bets of '30,000 in just one day. His losses included a massive '347,000 bet on the US to win the 2006 Ryder Cup, which was so huge, it made headlines at the time.

Ward Hadaway said that their client's gambling losses had caused his wife and children to leave him. He has also lost his greyhound training licence and business, which had previously earned him around '30,000 a month. They said: 'For whatever reason, William Hill failed to operate its self-exclusion policy, with disastrous consequences for our client despite knowing that he had a gambling problem and we argue that they should be held responsible for that.'

William Hill spokesman Graham Sharpe would not comment on specific details of the case, but said that it was the customer's responsibility to cease gambling. The betting firm also said: 'We will be contesting the case vigorously.'

The case will begin in the high court next week and it is thought that it will last five days. If Calvert is successful, it is thought that the floodgates will open for other gamblers to take similar action against betting agents.

Sources:
Guardian
Northern Echo