This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/wear/7254250.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Gambler sues bookies for £2m loss Gambler sues bookies for £2m loss
(20 minutes later)
A compulsive gambler who lost more than £2m, has begun legal action against bookmaker William Hill.A compulsive gambler who lost more than £2m, has begun legal action against bookmaker William Hill.
Greyhound trainer Graham Calvert, 28, from Houghton-le-Spring, near Sunderland, claims the company failed in their "duty of care".Greyhound trainer Graham Calvert, 28, from Houghton-le-Spring, near Sunderland, claims the company failed in their "duty of care".
He claims he was allowed to place bets after asking the company to close his account under a self-exclusion scheme.He claims he was allowed to place bets after asking the company to close his account under a self-exclusion scheme.
William Hill denies any wrongdoing and says it cannot be held legally liable for Mr Calvert's losses.William Hill denies any wrongdoing and says it cannot be held legally liable for Mr Calvert's losses.
'Gambling disorder'
At the High Court the firm was accused of manipulating his gambling disorder to gain as much revenue as possible.At the High Court the firm was accused of manipulating his gambling disorder to gain as much revenue as possible.
Anneliese Day, representing Mr Calvert, told Mr Justice Briggs on Wednesday that William Hill should be held liable because it failed to operate its own self-exclusion policy.Anneliese Day, representing Mr Calvert, told Mr Justice Briggs on Wednesday that William Hill should be held liable because it failed to operate its own self-exclusion policy.
Manic periods
She told the judge: "What in fact occurred was that William Hill actively monitored and manipulated the claimant's gambling disorder in order to gain as much revenue for their business as possible."She told the judge: "What in fact occurred was that William Hill actively monitored and manipulated the claimant's gambling disorder in order to gain as much revenue for their business as possible."
She said Mr Calvert was hoping to establish in law for the first time that bookies do owe a duty of care in his circumstances.She said Mr Calvert was hoping to establish in law for the first time that bookies do owe a duty of care in his circumstances.
'Manic periods'
Ms Day said William Hill "negligently sought" to encourage Mr Calvert to go on betting sprees of hundreds of thousands of pounds at a time.Ms Day said William Hill "negligently sought" to encourage Mr Calvert to go on betting sprees of hundreds of thousands of pounds at a time.
She also said the scale of her client's gambling was "staggering". He had periods of mania when he placed huge multiple bets in the space of a few hours, she added.She also said the scale of her client's gambling was "staggering". He had periods of mania when he placed huge multiple bets in the space of a few hours, she added.
He lost around £347,000 in one bet alone when he backed the US to win the 2006 Ryder Cup.He lost around £347,000 in one bet alone when he backed the US to win the 2006 Ryder Cup.
'Destructive manner'
It is alleged William Hill allowed Mr Calvert to open two new accounts and to make bets totalling around £3.5m between June and December 2006.It is alleged William Hill allowed Mr Calvert to open two new accounts and to make bets totalling around £3.5m between June and December 2006.
During this period he lost a total of £2.1m.During this period he lost a total of £2.1m.
The hearing is due to last five days. Ms Day said she would be calling psychiatrists to give evidence during the five-day hearing to describe how Mr Calvert had become a "pathological gambler" which is recognised as a mental disorder.
The court heard that when other bookmakers refused his bets, Mr Calvert went back to William Hill, which allowed him to stake huge sums, even opening up a branch so he could place a £100,000 cash bet.
Ms Day added: "It is also clear from William Hill's own evidence and records that they were well aware that the claimant was continuing to bet in cash in an uncontrolled and destructive manner.
"Indeed his behaviour was being closely monitored as there were concerns as to where someone such as Mr Calvert was obtaining such large amounts of money from."
The hearing continues.