Call for problem gambler database

Graham Calvert is suing William Hill for £2m

A gambling charity is calling for a UK-wide database which would give better protection to problem gamblers.

It comes as Graham Calvert, 28, from Wearside, is suing William Hill for £2m he claims he lost on bets after asking the bookmaker not to let him bet again.

Responsibility in Gambling Trust (RIGT) said details of gamblers who asked to be "self-excluded" from one betting chain should be available to all firms.

William Hill denies it can be legally liable for Mr Calvert's losses.

Addiction counselling service GamCare, which is funded by the gambling industry, said it ultimately has to be down to the gamblers to recognise their addiction and get help, although voluntary agreements could be helpful.

'Too easy'

Meanwhile, RIGT said a problem gambler could ask to be barred from using the services of one betting chain but taking such action was not enough to deter them.

The trust's Ron Finlay said it was currently trying to develop such a database of "self-excluded" gamblers and has asked for voluntary donations from the industry.

The case is likely to take a long look at the issue of duty of care. Where does the responsibility of both the gambler and the bookmaker start and finish? How gambler lost £2.1m

He told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast it would mean all outlets could be aware of an individual in any area who had decided to self-exclude themselves.

Mr Calvert, who would often place bets of more than £25,000, is accusing William Hill of negligence by continuing to take his bets after agreeing to bar him.

The High Court will decide at a hearing next week whether William Hill - which strongly denies any wrongdoing - can be held legally liable.

In June 2006 - when he had an account with William Hill - Mr Calvert told them it was too easy to gamble and took self-exclusion.

But a couple of months later he opened a new account with them in his own name and subsequently lost more than £2m.

His lawyers say William Hill should be held responsible for the loss because it did not implement its own self-exclusion policies.

Impossible exclusion

GamCare, which provides counselling and advice for gamblers, gets 35,000 calls for help each year.

The charity's chairman, Anthony Jennens, said gamblers must be "part of the process" of curbing their addiction, adding that those who were keen to do so could post a photograph of themselves at betting shops and casinos in their area.

He told BBC News: "It is obviously impossible to exclude somebody or to self-exclude somebody from all gambling outlets from anywhere in the world.

"If they can't get into a bookies or a casinos they can go online and gamble with an unregistered site in Antigua.

"You cannot say I told the bookmaker I was gambling too much, it's therefore his fault - as a general principle. I'm not talking about this specific case."