English Bookmaker Absolved in Gambling Addict Lawsuit

However, a judge found that Calvert would have continued his pattern with other bookmakers .

Self-confessed gambling addict Graham Calvert lost his suit this week attempting to force English bookmaking firm William Hill to pay him over $2 million to recoup losses and punish the gambling business for allowing him to play.

Calvert, a greyhound trainer, says he lost his job and his marriage due to uncontrollable bouts of gambling in 2006. He argued that William Hill made no attempt to exclude him, even after he had lost exorbitant amounts and asked to be self-excluded.

However, a judge found that Calvert would have continued his pattern with other bookmakers had Hill refused his business, still suffering the same losses. The judge also ruled the bookies had no legal duty to protect customers from themselves.

Representatives of William Hill hailed the victory as the triumph of common sense. They encouraged gamblers with problems to seek professional help and couseling, but stated it would be a ridiculous burden to ask them to monitor every bet placed and track each gambler.

Calvert's chosen profession on the greyhound tracks may be seen as him immersing himself in the worst possible atmosphere for a compulsive gambler, yet he had no mention of the irony.

Perhaps the Taveras lawsuit against Atlantic City and Las Vegas casinos in the United States will be met with the same solid judgment.