Gambling

[TRC]

Having delt with my own gambling demons for years, i think this story is a fantastic idea.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-33668164

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

Surely in this day and age barring yourself from bookies shops is only the tip of the iceberg. So many options for punting these days.

[TRC]

To true but for a few of the older generation id say it'll help . like you say online betting is also problem, what i've done is tried to ban myself from as many as i can by signing up registering a card then banning myself straight away, its worked thus far. Been a pretty constant struggle

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

Without meaning to sound patronising, keep up the good work.

[TRC]

Thanks, i cheat once a month with a coupon, but i never put it on, and if it wins the wife takes the money.

[Pretty Boy]

Seems a decent idea to me.

I posted a thread on here a while back about the fixed odds betting terminals in shops. The bookies are desperate to get folk playing them, the current BBC documentary about Coral confirms this, as the profits are astronomical. Quick play, big jackpots, bright colours, encouraging noises and it's not hard to see how people can quickly become hooked. There's a guy in my local Hills who can easily plough £3-400 into those machines in one sitting and that's fine apparently, if he was to go the pub next door and tan 12 or 13 pints there would come a point where he should and likely would be refused service.

I flirted with a serious gambling problem a few years back. The buzz of having a bet on is undeniably great and the feeling of winning even more so. Luckily I was able to rein it on before I lost any serious money. I still gamble but I'm very methodical about it now, every bet is researched and I can easily walk about a bookies without placing a bet now. Like the OP I have closed/banned myself from all my online accounts with the exception of one which has a £100 deposit limit in any 24 hour period on it. I know plenty guys who aren't so lucky and who's gambling has cost them the lot.

[Mr White]

Gambling advertising seems excessive and relatively unrestricted to me, at least ccompared to other addictive potentially problematic pastimes. On sky sports it's extensive and although they all carry the responsible gambling message it seems a bit like lip service in the context of the style and quantity of the adverts. I imagine its a bit like alcohol and tobacco advertising from 50 or 60 years ago when they were far less restricted. It must be difficult for someone struggling with an addiction to watch sky sports and not be tempted.

[Killiehibbie]

Something should also be done about their unwillingness to lay a bet whilst offering free shots on those horrible machines.

[lyonhibs]

For me, gambling online or on the machines don't hold the slightest temptation because they remove the big "Live" element that I like of gambling.

Put on a wee coupon, taking it out at the pub and almost certainly seeing it going tits up. I've never been tempted to gamble what I couldn't afford and now I'm in a country where there is no high street bookies, I've never even considered opening up an online account.

I can see the temptation and why gambling addiction affects so many people though - interesting program on BBC 1 just now.

[Pretty Boy]

For me, gambling online or on the machines don't hold the slightest temptation because they remove the big "Live" element that I like of gambling.

Put on a wee coupon, taking it out at the pub and almost certainly seeing it going tits up. I've never been tempted to gamble what I couldn't afford and now I'm in a country where there is no high street bookies, I've never even considered opening up an online account.

I can see the temptation and why gambling addiction affects so many people though - interesting program on BBC 1 just now.

That's where I am now.

My kicks now come from spending an age studying form, stats and drawing on my own knowledge with the horses and on occasion outfoxing the masses of traders working for the big boys. Achieving that is almost as good as the money.

[Bishop Hibee]

I haven't watched this yet but hoping to catch up on iplayer. I have put 2 bets on this year, the national which I lost and correct score CL final which I won! I prefer a game of poker with mates. Never been to a casino in my life though.

I understand that many High Street bookies would close if it wasn't for the fancy puggies.

If I had my way I'd ban internet betting. Far too easy to lose a fortune. Will never happen though.

[Haymaker]

Gambling seems to be getting bigger and bigger, every other advert seems to be a betting site offering everything possible!

I know quite a few lads under 18 who get pals to put on accies and bets almost everyday which I find disturbing. Offer them a beer and they say "naw" but offer to put their bets on and it is crazy.

I like a flutter from time to time but only well researched football bets.

[stu in nottingham]

Part of the work I do is in counselling gamblers within a charity that deals with addictions. I see some pretty sorry stories with lives completely wrecked.

Debts are an obvious consequence and it's not rare for me to see clients with a level of debt around the £50,000-£60,000 mark. A majority of the time gambling has caused people relationship problems, often to a severe degree.

Many times clients answer positively when they are asked if they had an early big win. There is definitely a pattern and being a cynic for a moment I don't think this is a coincidence, considering the way the industry works.

Many times a partner of a gambler demands on discovering the gambling habit to take charge of the finances. Although often advisable in the short and medium term this can itself cause relationship stresses through resentment and an inability to win trust back.

Regarding methods of gambling, of course there is a wide spread but as one would imagine, online methods are becoming much more prevalent. A development in this is that it appears to be drawing more women into gambling due to the anonymity it provides.

The fixed odd betting terminals (FOBTs) are largely the cause of more betting shops appearing in our High Streets. There are restrictions by law as to how many can be placed in a betting shop so the solution they have found is to simply open more shops.

I agree with the above comment regarding the spread and visibility of gambling advertising. I'd argue that at some point this problem is due to become an epidemic one due to the ease of betting via technology, the heavy promotion of gambling and the fact that society appears to be sleep-walking into this huge problem. In addition, few agencies exist to treat the problem. For example, the small organisation I work for is the only one in the East Midlands of England that I'm aware of.

I'm never going to sit and here moralise to anyone on here and to each their own but I would suggest people treat gambling with care and respect. At the very worst it can be a fatal problem.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

This would have a big impact in CZ.

http://www.expats.cz/prague/article/weekly-czech-news/the-end-of-gambling-in-prague/

[calumhibee1]

Part of the work I do is in counselling gamblers within a charity that deals with addictions. I see some pretty sorry stories with lives completely wrecked.

Debts are an obvious consequence and it's not rare for me to see clients with a level of debt around the £50,000-£60,000 mark. A majority of the time gambling has caused people relationship problems, often to a severe degree.

Many times clients answer positively when they are asked if they had an early big win. There is definitely a pattern and being a cynic for a moment I don't think this is a coincidence, considering the way the industry works.

Many times a partner of a gambler demands on discovering the gambling habit to take charge of the finances. Although often advisable in the short and medium term this can itself cause relationship stresses through resentment and an inability to win trust back.

Regarding methods of gambling, of course there is a wide spread but as one would imagine, online methods are becoming much more prevalent. A development in this is that it appears to be drawing more women into gambling due to the anonymity it provides.

The fixed odd betting terminals (FOBTs) are largely the cause of more betting shops appearing in our High Streets. There are restrictions by law as to how many can be placed in a betting shop so the solution they have found is to simply open more shops.

I agree with the above comment regarding the spread and visibility of gambling advertising. I'd argue that at some point this problem is due to become an epidemic one due to the ease of betting via technology, the heavy promotion of gambling and the fact that society appears to be sleep-walking into this huge problem. In addition, few agencies exist to treat the problem. For example, the small organisation I work for is the only one in the East Midlands of England that I'm aware of.

I'm never going to sit and here moralise to anyone on here and to each their own but I would suggest people treat gambling with care and respect. At the very worst it can be a fatal problem.

You just have to walk down streets like Leith Walk to see this. From the Omni to the Kirkgate there must be 10 - 15 bookies. It's ridiculous. Even Lothian Road area has 2 William Hills on Lothian Road and another 2 seconds round the corner at Tollcross, they're literally less than a kilometre apart.

[liamh2202]

It was interesting seeing the view of the track bookies on the show the other night.kind of puts into perspective how its moved from an enjoyable hobby more to making your fortune or bust

[Hibrandenburg]

In certain areas of Berlin the old small businesses like grocers, barbers, restaurants and the like are slowly being replaced by betting shops. The owners of these shop owners are mainly from the Balkans. The shops are always empty (why would you go to a bookies in a country where they've never had a betting tradition and you can do it online anyway?) but seem to thrive in areas where the rent is cheap. It's killing parts of the inner city and imo can only be some form of money laundering scam.

Never got the gambling bug myself but do love taking part in card competitions, mainly because of the social aspect though.

[McD]

When I was 18, I had a mate who was addicted (I choose my word carefully) to playing puggies.

It was very common to see him drop £8-15 in 3 or more machines in one place, win £10 on the last one, and be completely convinced that he'd finished up on the start. He once spent 20 minutes trying to convince me that, after dropping a total of £25 on 2 machines and winning £8, that he had had a winning time

[Pretty Boy]

You just have to walk down streets like Leith Walk to see this. From the Omni to the Kirkgate there must be 10 - 15 bookies. It's ridiculous. Even Lothian Road area has 2 William Hills on Lothian Road and another 2 seconds round the corner at Tollcross, they're literally less than a kilometre apart.

I counted this the other day out of of interest.

At the top of Broughton Street there is a Ladbrokes.

Elm Row has a William Hill and a Ladbrokes.

There is a Macbet by the Brunswick Bar.

Just past Pilrig Street there is a Ladbrokes and William Hill separated by one shop.

Down at Victoria Wine there is a Ladbrokes with a William Hill directly opposite.

At the corner of Great Junction Street there is a William Hill with a Coral directly opposite.

If you continue down Constitution Street there is another William Hill just round the corner at the bottom.

That's 11 bookies in about a mile and a half or so.

The bridges is just as bad. Between Surgeons Hall and the Royal Mile there is 3 William Hills and a Ladbrokes. There's also another Ladbrokes just round the corner from there opposite the old Bank Hotel.

[RyeSloan]

I counted this the other day out of of interest. At the top of Broughton Street there is a Ladbrokes. Elm Row has a William Hill and a Ladbrokes. There is a Macbet by the Brunswick Bar. Just past Pilrig Street there is a Ladbrokes and William Hill separated by one shop. Down at Victoria Wine there is a Ladbrokes with a William Hill directly opposite. At the corner of Great Junction Street there is a William Hill with a Coral directly opposite. If you continue down Constitution Street there is another William Hill just round the corner at the bottom. That's 11 bookies in about a mile and a half or so. The bridges is just as bad. Between Surgeons Hall and the Royal Mile there is 3 William Hills and a Ladbrokes. There's also another Ladbrokes just round the corner from there opposite the old Bank Hotel.

Sounds like bookies are doing their bit for the unemployment rate...these shops must employ a fair amount of folk and of course pay good rent and rates.

Not going into the rights and wrongs as really if you want to gamble you will but it is an interesting insight into how government rules and regulations distort certain markets. Why not just let them put as many machines in as they want and be done with it? Or if it's believed strongly enough that there needs to be a restriction (although with the zillions of other ways to bet that would be questionable) then do that properly as well, seems to me the current set up is just stupid from all angles.

[TRC]

Sounds like bookies are doing their bit for the unemployment rate...these shops must employ a fair amount of folk and of course pay good rent and rates.

Not going into the rights and wrongs as really if you want to gamble you will but it is an interesting insight into how government rules and regulations distort certain markets. Why not just let them put as many machines in as they want and be done with it? Or if it's believed strongly enough that there needs to be a restriction (although with the zillions of other ways to bet that would be questionable) then do that properly as well, seems to me the current set up is just stupid from all angles.

The thing is pubs can't just open wherever they like the council licencing board won't allow that many in a concentrated area. I think it should be the same for betting shops.
All my problems started when i was about 14-15 working in a snooker hall cleaning tables so i could play for free. So all the old boys that drank and played in the club would give me their slips and cash and a bit extra for my self, for going. So after a few weeks of doing this you got to know the guys that won never anything huge but a decent wee bit of cash. What did i do, of course i started betting on their bets with the money i got from being the runner couple of months and i was about a grand up from when i started! So this was my down fall i never learned the lessons of bet what you can afford don't chase losses. I've got no one to blame but myself. I've been to gambling groups with guys that have lost more than i have. The format never worked for me, I have a small support group that i speak with online which helps. The thing is i still love it even though it can do so much damage to myself and the people that i love, the thrill of winning is a very powerful thing. Sorry went a bit off track there.

[calumhibee1]

I counted this the other day out of of interest.

At the top of Broughton Street there is a Ladbrokes.

Elm Row has a William Hill and a Ladbrokes.

There is a Macbet by the Brunswick Bar.

Just past Pilrig Street there is a Ladbrokes and William Hill separated by one shop.

Down at Victoria Wine there is a Ladbrokes with a William Hill directly opposite.

At the corner of Great Junction Street there is a William Hill with a Coral directly opposite.

If you continue down Constitution Street there is another William Hill just round the corner at the bottom.

That's 11 bookies in about a mile and a half or so.

The bridges is just as bad. Between Surgeons Hall and the Royal Mile there is 3 William Hills and a Ladbrokes. There's also another Ladbrokes just round the corner from there opposite the old Bank Hotel.

That shouldn't be allowed. I know some people can do it for fun and keep a lid on it, but from my personal experience I'd say the majority of people I know that put a bet on are addicted to some extent. And IMO it can be equally, if not a worse addiction than drugs and alcohol. It's something I'm glad I've never had a huge interest in.

[bobbyhibs1983]

i can certainly understand how addictive gabliling can be.
from my point of view i guess its one of my sins. I dont drink the booze, i dont smoke, i dont do drugs, so i guess my 2 sins in life are takeaways and gambling!
At times i can see myself as addictied, there have been 2-3 times i have put money into a puggy machine but put more and more into it thinking the next shop i ll hit something big, but these days are rare.

My brother knows a few of lets say "older guys" who spend like £50-£100 or so in the arcades 4-5 times a week !!

I guess im lucky that nowadays now and again i ll put £2-£5 a week into puggy machines, and £10 a week on the lotto(maybe 3 our of 4 weeks a month) and i guess i have talked myself into that being my limit, !

im unsure if thats dicsapline or being a tight a*se:greengrin

[lord bunberry]

Is it not the case that each bookie is only allowed a certain number of the fixed odds terminals in each shop and they get round this by having more shops?

[Danderhall Hibs]

The programme that BBC have been showing recently is worth a watch. "Britain at the Bookies" - you'll get it on Iplayer.

[Pretty Boy]

Is it not the case that each bookie is only allowed a certain number of the fixed odds terminals in each shop and they get round this by having more shops?

That's exactly the case.

Limited to 4 per shop but they are so profitable the overheads of opening and running another shop are outweighed by the profits generated.

[HappyAsHellas]

My first taste of gambling was when I was ten or eleven and I'd go to my Gran's house on a Saturday lunchtime and wait on my Grandad filling out his slip. It was insane, a grown man crawling about the sitting room floor which was covered in newspapers all on the horses pages. When he finally finished, I'd run up to the bookies at Crichton Pl and hand in the slip and the money. It seemed incredibly boring at the time. Later on I would end up in the bookies with a few mates and be astounded at people shouting at the speakers, egging on their horses before crumpling up slips and discarding them on the floor. Thankfully I never got into the habit as I couldn't fathom out what was exciting about it. My late father had a bet on every day of his life, and my brother is pretty much the same although it's only ever a couple of quid. Working part time in a bar I used to see the same guys pumping money into the machines and always swearing they came out on top which was a blatant lie. Now it seems we have gone gambling mad - advertising on the TV is all about casino's and football odds. If they can all afford ads on the telly then they have to be making a fair bit of money. We don't hear enough about the devastation this must cause to many people's lives because it wouldn't make for "good" telly. A sad indictment on our society indeed.

[AZhibee]

Living in the states, I am amazed at the prominence of gambling in European football. While there is a ton of gambling here, and I live 4 hours from Vegas, it seems astonishing that a gambling house would be a sponsor for any athletic team. I don't wear my Hibs jersey out in certain places due to Marathon "Bet" being displayed. The penalties for players caught gambling seem lax...Pete Rose still can't get into the baseball hall of fame for gambling on baseball.

[Steve-O]

Here in NZ there is only one bookie allowed in the whole country! One company that is - TAB. It's pretty tightly controlled and even my online betting with Bet365 is 'illegal'.

[Mr White]

Here in NZ there is only one bookie allowed in the whole country! One company that is - TAB. It's pretty tightly controlled and even my online betting with Bet365 is 'illegal'.

Are the pubs still full of the pokie machines?

[Steve-O]

Are the pubs still full of the pokie machines?

Indeed they are. Possibly a bit more hidden than they used to be (can't say for sure as I never go looking for them) but they're still around.