A gambling addict on bail for firearms wants £1 m from William Hill
20th February, 2008
Greyhound trainer, Graham Calvert, 28, is trying to sue William Hill for £2 million in the High Court. According to Calvert, William Hill has ignored his request for self-exclusion twice, during the time when he was fighting his gambling addiction.
It has now been discovered that the man is currently on bail for serious charges.
The spokesperson for Northumbria Police said Graham Calvert is on bail and awaiting trial for firearms and drugs charges.
"Graham Calvert, 28, of Sedgeletch Road, Sedgeletch, in Houghton has been charged with firearms offences and associated drugs offences and is scheduled to appear at Newcastle Crown Court on a date to be fixed," she added.
Calvert feels he is eligible for £2.1 million that he lost from June to December 2006 on William Hill site, due to their failure to perform the “duty of care”.
According to Calvert, William Hill allowed him to open two new accounts and make bets that would sum up to £3.5 million.
One of the biggest losses occurred when he bet on USA to win 2006 Ryder Cup. They did not win and he lost £347,000.
The solicitors of Calvert say the case covers a huge issue of betting companies’ social responsibility policies.
Here is what Peter Hornsey, the lawyer said about it: “It goes to the issue of how bookmakers treat people who have gambling problems via their self-exclusion policy and whether they can be held responsible when they advertise themselves as offering self exclusion and promoting socially-responsible gambling."
