No action on high street FOBTs

[Caruso]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...=feeds-newsxml

Unusual for me to be agreeing with the Labour Party, but then they're not in government so don't need to worry about tax revenue, which these things provide by the bucketload.

The bookies will be happy.

Ministers have signalled a u-turn over their promised crackdown on high-stakes gambling machines, despite warnings they are as addictive as "crack cocaine".

Hugh Robertson, the minister for sport, has ruled out immediate action on fixed-odds betting terminals, or FOBTs, despite recent pledges that the Government would tackle the high-street scourge.

Mr Robertson insisted the Government was "seriously concerned about problem gambling", but told the Commons there was a "lack of evidence" that the terminals were a "major problem".

He called for more research and told MPs that "once the problem is proved to exist, the Government will act".

Labour MPs are calling for a total ban on FOBTs, warning that gambling "ruins lives and destroys families".

Mr Robertson's decision flies in the face of previous pledges made by ministers.

[thebookiesoffers]

the same Labour party that relaxed gambling laws?

[Sausages]

Labour were responsible for this, and now the current government get so many back-handers that they want to keep things the way they are. Betting shops in the UK are often filthy dumps and make High Streets look terrible (along with pawn shops and payday loan shops).
It would be interesting to see what effect a maximum bet of £2 would have. The games could be far more entertaining.

[thebookiesoffers]

if it wasn't for betting shops most of us wouldn't be doing what we do now

I honestly think most people on here get on their high horses about FOBT's is they think it takes away revenue they could earn from players playing at home

You can spunk just as much dough at home at an online casino as you could on a FOBT, with more convenience

[thebookiesoffers]

Labour were responsible for this, and now the current government get so many back-handers that they want to keep things the way they are. Betting shops in the UK are often filthy dumps and make High Streets look terrible (along with pawn shops and payday loan shops).
It would be interesting to see what effect a maximum bet of £2 would have. The games could be far more entertaining.

any proof of these backhanders?

[Sausages]

any proof of these backhanders?

I'm not an investigative journalist, so I'm not actively digging for proof. Although it is clear evidence is being ignored in favour of an industry that blights areas.

I honestly think most people on here get on their high horses about FOBT's is they think it takes away revenue they could earn from players playing at home

Far from it, FOBT's probably encourage more gambling.

[thebookiesoffers]

I'm not an investigative journalist, so I'm not actively digging for proof. Although it is clear evidence is being ignored in favour of an industry that blights areas.

So you just made up that the government take backhanders then? thanks for clearing that up

[Sausages]

So you just made up that the government take backhanders then? thanks for clearing that up

Well, you're obviously a bookie, or closely related to the betting shop industry so you're living in denial. There has been evidence published in the Daily Mail and Independent in 2012 of back-handers which you'll be able to find if you look.
I'm not digging up old reports for you, I'm sure you are aware a lot of MP's are corrupt just as the ABB spokesman is a paid puppet.

[thebookiesoffers]

Well, you're obviously a bookie, or closely related to the betting shop industry so you're living in denial. There has been evidence published in the Daily Mail and Independent in 2012 of back-handers which you'll be able to find if you look.
I'm not digging up old reports for you, I'm sure you are aware a lot of MP's are corrupt just as the ABB spokesman is a paid puppet.

Im living in denial lol, I asked you to back up your claims that the government are taking backhanders, you failed.

while you're on your high horse over them, what is the difference between someone playing a FOBT and high roller games online?

[Sausages]

while you're on your high horse over them, what is the difference between someone playing a FOBT and high roller games online?

I'm not on my high-horse over them. I'm saying it is clear there are issues which the government has chosen to ignore.
The difference between playing online and on a FOBT is only social. Betting shops are generally unfriendly, untidy social clubs, with 'fans' that watch and tell you what number is 'due'. They also encourage crime and anti-social behaviour which is well documented.

[Caruso]

if it wasn't for betting shops most of us wouldn't be doing what we do now

Eh?

I honestly think most people on here get on their high horses about FOBT's is they think it takes away revenue they could earn from players playing at home

Christ Almighty, speak for yourself already.

[TheGooner]

My viewpoint is always for encouraging personal responsibly - rather than legislative restrictions.
I have no problem with FOBTs operating as long as they have safeguards in place to restrict access to those of legal gambling age.

I'm sure that you can always find a sob story situation - where people are unable to control their gambling addiction.
But this does not make these things "crack cocaine" or any of the other emotive headline grabbing titles.

[thebookiesoffers]

My viewpoint is always for encouraging personal responsibly - rather than legislative restrictions.
I have no problem with FOBTs operating as long as they have safeguards in place to restrict access to those of legal gambling age.

I'm sure that you can always find a sob story situation - where people are unable to control their gambling addiction.
But this does not make these things "crack cocaine" or any of the other emotive headline grabbing titles.

absolute bang on

[Sausages]

There's far too many of them. Three Ladbrokes and one Coral in my town centre.

[thebookiesoffers]

Before and after shots of regular FOBT users:

that's right, if you can't back up your argument jut make more stuff up, maybe these were the ones that gave the government backhanders (even though they are American crystal meth users)

[Sausages]

You hate to lose an argument don't you (which you clearly have). The government should take away licenses from socially irresponsible people, and have a maximum of one gambling establishment per 100sq ml, with a £2 maximum per spin.

[thebookiesoffers]

You hate to lose an argument don't you (which you clearly have). The government should take away licenses from socially irresponsible people, and have a maximum of one gambling establishment per 100sq ml, with a £2 maximum per spin.

why should they? people have more access and able to lose more, quicker with more convenience at home on an online casino. All you have done is make up a load of things. can't really take your points seriously when one of the main ones is the government being bribed

[Sausages]

Governments are always influenced by money, donations, paid for holidays, free gifts etc. it's no big secret. Just because I can't find a specific news report from a specific date doesn't mean it doesn't occur. I'm sure your faith in Parliaments integrity isn't usually so profound.
My views on this will not change the way things are anyway, as nor will yours. So some rational reasoning would be better than to say no problem exists.
I haven't made anything up. Betting shops are a blight on the High Street, as amusement arcades are to seaside towns.

[Caruso]

people have more access and able to lose more, quicker with more convenience at home on an online casino.

If there was much to be done about that, I'd certainly advocate it. Something can be done about bookies, though. They are an absolute blight on the high street. At least Starbucks, Tescos et al provide a service. Bookies, and FOBTs in partcular, are nothing but a blight.

[thebookiesoffers]

If there was much to be done about that, I'd certainly advocate it. Something can be done about bookies, though. They are an absolute blight on the high street. At least Starbucks, Tescos et al provide a service. Bookies, and FOBTs in partcular, are nothing but a blight.

i suggest you leave this industry then if you're so much against it