William Hill defends itself over punter's gambling debt

Bookmaker William Hill is up in the High Court today (20 February) facing charges that it allowed a punter to run up debts of over £2m.

Greyhound trainer Graham Calvert is claiming that William Hill breached its duty of care by allowing him to accrue a £2.1m gambling debt over a six month period.

Calvert had set up a self-exclusion function on his accounts, but he claims that William Hill nevertheless allowed him to open up several other accounts, one of which was in his own name.

North East firm Ward Hadaway is acting on behalf of Calvert with a team led by litigation partner Peter Hornsey. Counsel for Calvert is Anneliese Day of 4 New Square Chambers.

Commenting on the case, Hornsey said: "It goes to the issue of how bookmakers treat people who have gambling problems via their self-exclusion policy."

William Hill is being represented by Bernard Caulfield, head of litigation at Dechert, who has instructed Justin Fenwick QC of Four New Square as lead counsel and Rebecca Sabben-Clare of 7 King's Bench Walk.

The case is being heard in the Royal Courts of Justice in London with Mr Justice Briggs presiding over the proceedings.