Bookmakers William Hill are to be sued by a gambling addict from Sunderland because they didn’t prevent him for placing bets that he subsequently lost.

In a case that may have consequences for online gaming sites, greyhound trainer Graham Calvert has accused the bookies of failing to ban him from the store's branches, despite him requesting that he is banned under the company's self-exclusion policy.

Last December Graham's wife left him after discovering debts of over 1.5 million, and Mr. Calvert has since been threatened with violence from some of his debtors, he has alleged.

He is now hoping to sue William Hill for £2,052,972 for breaching its duty of care.

Mr. Calvert managed to rack up such massive debt by borrowing almost half a million pounds from four "business associates", as well as remortgaging his home for £100,000.

He reportedly had two separate accounts with William Hill.

The bookmakers, one of the biggest in the business, pride themselves on their in house controls in relation to gambling addiction and despite failing to detect Calvert’s lost bets it’s unlikely the Sunderland man will win the amount he’s suing for.

The case has brought to light the social responsibility aspect of gambling and will have serious ramifications for online gaming sites also.

As part of new gambling regulations in the UK and in association with the gambling watchdog ECOGRA online sites must clearly state to players that they will contact them if they are over spending on their sites. While in theory the policies are responsible it’s not yet known how many people are actually contacted.

If Calvert wins the case then casinos, bookmakers and online gaming sites will have to review the safety nets they provide and any possible loopholes within it.

The ground breaking trial is set for next spring.