A BATTING chain is being sued by a compulsive gambler who claims it allowed him to lose £2million after he asked to be barred, it was reported today.Graham Calvert, 28, wants William Hill to pay back his losses on the grounds they failed in their duty of care.

A BATTING chain is being sued by a compulsive gambler who claims it allowed him to lose £2million after he asked to be barred, it was reported today.

Graham Calvert, 28, wants William Hill to pay back his losses on the grounds they failed in their duty of care.

The former greyhound trainer from Tyne & Wear told the BBC: "If I'd known I had the problem and didn't do anything about it, I would see myself as being 100 per cent responsible.

"The fact is that I did try to go through the right procedures and I was let down.'

Mr Calvert said he told William Hill to ban him in May 2006 but later opened another account and lost £2 million, including £347,000 on a bet that the US would win the Ryder Cup.

The case opens at the High Court next week.

William Hill has said it will contest the allegations.