Gambler loses £2m bookies claim

"Greyhound trainer Graham Calvert, 28, of Houghton-le-Spring, near Sunderland, said the company failed in its 'duty of care' and the judge agreed.

"But Mr Justice Briggs ruled on Wednesday that William Hill was not liable for the losses.

"He ordered Mr Calvert to pay £175,000 interim costs to the firm, but the payment is on hold pending an appeal.

"...He ruled that although the company failed to take 'reasonable steps' to stop Mr Calvert from telephone gambling, Mr Calvert's 'pathological gambling' would still probably have led to his financial ruin.

"...William Hill was accused of manipulating his gambling disorder to gain as much revenue as possible by letting him place bets after asking it to close his account under a self-exclusion scheme..."