Review Of The Gambling Act

[Maydup]

The Government are reviewing the Gambling Act at the moment.

Do you think gambling should having tighter controls on affordability, to protect people? Or should it be like many other aspects of life where we make our own important financial decisions?

https://www.onlinebetting.org.uk/betting-guides/gambling-act.html

[Ken4155]

For the majority, gambling is nothing more than an hobby. They'll be going round tucking people in bed next!

[dannyk13]

I think that there should be a curb on advertising which offers what I can only describe as bribes in order to attract customers.

[Ken4155]

Totally agree about banning the ads, Danny. They nearly all infer that winning is easy and that fortunes are there to be made. The reality of course is totally different but only a complete idiot would not soon realise that fact.

This ad was taken off the air last year;

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/ladbrokes-ad-banned-for-showing-socially-irresponsible-gambling-behaviour/ar-AALQRg1

[Maydup]

As you can imagine I'm not supportive of tighter controls or any kind of check on affordability. I find it difficult to resist the chocolate when I go to pay for my petrol but I wouldn't want it banned! Or a check on me as to how much chocolate I have eaten this week!!

Isn't that sort of marketing similar to any other offer or enticement danny? Buy one get one free on cakes that are no good for you, or buy now pay later on a luxury car you really don't need?

[jennyjoan]

I have a nephew who is quite ill with this gambling disease so something needs to be done for addicts

[Maydup]

What do you think they could do that would help JJ?

[johnny.5]

what annoys me is the constant adverts where they try to portray gambling as being part of a huge community/family enjoying picnics, barbeques and painting workshops

[jennyjoan]

May. I don't know myself and sister many many times have provided him with food electricity and gas and money. He really is beyond redemption that I fear he is now mentally ill and his last
sibling
has left. He is on his own

[Ken4155]

What do you suggest is done for addicts Jenny? The Fixed Odds Betting Machines were aimed at those gamblers who had no control whatsoever but they have been rendered less than attractive. On line firms allow the punter to set a limit when depositing, to have a 'time out', and to discuss any problem they may have.
When i first began gambling (15 year old), like a fool i chased my losses. Then, slowly but surely, the penny dropped - no such thing as a 'dead cert'. I have a bet every single day of the year but i only bet what i can easily afford to lose. If everyone approached gambling with that attitude, there'd be no problem.

[jennyjoan]

I agree Ken

[Gromit]

I do not want to ban gambling. But I believe advertising of it should be severely restricted, just as tobacco and alcohol is. There are 10 Premier League clubs with betting firms as their shirt sponsor - that should not be allowed. And TV advertising during matches should also be forbidden.

[Ken4155]

The problem with the shirt sponsorship, Gromit, is that many of the 10 clubs will have signed contracts for a certain period of time. Rather than being banned, such sponsorship would have to be phased out.

[jno]

https://tinyurl.com/yckdjw5k

[Ken4155]

https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=5hN3%2BuGy&id=8C5963C77131E7014F75E21384130480D2987E0E&thid=OIP.5hN3-uGyDQoj02T0WcVrZAHaHD&mediaurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.askgamblers.com%2Fforum%2Fuploads%2Fmonthly_05_2015%2Fpost-61595-0-88436500-1432755169.jpg&exph=429&expw=450&;q=gamblers+anonymous+meme&simid=608021151462411033&form=IRPRST&ck=4C00B2C6054949DC3A8DE73F64EA3C60&selectedindex=63&ajaxhist=0&ajaxserp=0&vt=0&;sim=11&cdnurl=https%3A%2F%2Fth.bing.com%2Fth%2Fid%2FR.e61377fae1b20d0a23d364f459c56b64%3Frik%3DDn6Y0oAEE4QT4g%26pid%3DImgRaw%26r%3D0

[johnny.5]

the FOBT
are still raking in money and the roulette game has just used another gamble level to make you think you can win big in a single spin
(which you can but lose smaller amounts more often )

[pat2604]

I know nothing about gambling. Noone in our family has ever gambled, except my elderly Aunt in Australia whose favourite hobby was playing on the Pokies (fruit machines) in the pensioners clubs.

I think on line gambling
should be strictly regulated. It can destroy families. But so can offline gambling. But over 18s should have a choice I suppose.

[Maydup]

Online gambling is fairly well regulated but I appreciate the Gambling Act is likely to be inadequate in this regard. No doubt it needs updating to take into account the digital age, and how it has developed since the Act was written. But its the hint of checking affordability that bothers me.

How could that possibly be done without an invasion of my privacy? If for example I gamble once a month and start to gamble every day would that raise and alarm and force a check on me? Or if Ken who likes a bet every day will he be forced to take a short break for his own good?!!!

[ryannolan]

Hey! IMO, the government reviewing the Gambling Act is a good thing. It's important to balance personal responsibility and protecting vulnerable people. I do believe that gambling should have tighter controls on affordability, especially given how easily it can spiral out of control.
BTW, have you heard of https://bonusvips.com/ ? They're a website that provides information on the latest online casino bonuses and promotions. Using these kinds of websites responsibly and always gamble within your means is important.

[jennyjoan]

Update on my nephew. He has given £30,000 in one year to paddy power and is now looking for more money