Do you think TV adverts for gambling websites should be banned?

[RATTER15]

Especially the ones that offer you money to start gambling when you sign up?

[DaisyNonna]

Yes.

[flump1]

Hi Ratter, I suppose these sites attract people who can not afford to gamble , and thereby lies the problem. I have never used one but the get rich quick...and have fun while you do it ...is probably why people play .

[ummmm]

Yes.

My Dad was a gambling addict so my judgement might be clouded.

[flump1]

Blooming keyboard sent that prematurely !! The gambling / bingo in particular ads are everywhere and yes I think we can do without them.

[Maydup]

I'm not a fan of prohibition for anything - live and let live, and let us make our own judgements.

[RATTER15]

I do agree maidup, I just oppose the way they try to entice people onto thay very slippery slide of gambling. These days the kind of people that are often attracted to these sites are the type of people that can ill afford to be throwing away money. I see these sites as adding to a big social problem that we can do without. I am also a little biased as I'm against gambling in general.

[joggerjayne]

I'm not against gambling. Quite the opposite. But I agree that it's wrong to offer financial incentives to "have a go".

If you're going to gamble, you should have an amount of your own money to play with. Treat is as dead money. If you lose it, stop playing until you can afford to play again.

I'm not comfortable with the idea of "Here, why not try it out with a bit of our money. You might win something."

In the long run, you're not going to win something. Most people lose. That's why bookies all drive Bentleys.

You need to "train" people to see gambling as something where then pay, with their own money, for pleasure ... not to make money.

[d9f1c7]

No, it's personal choice.

[RATTER15]

We arent talking about banning gambling, just the way they advertise.

[MarkRae]

The point about dead money that you won't miss is well made. I never use gambling sites but occasionally go to a casino with some cash but no credit cards...

[what..the?]

def yes

[craft1948]

I'm with Mark on this, I've been to casinos quite a few times as it can be a brilliant night out, but I've always taken cash which I can afford to lose.

[bert_h]

Well, the government decided that TV adverts encouraged smoking, and they've been banned (as have displays of packets, now), but people are still obviously free to choose to smoke or not smoke. Likewise these TV adverts for gambling websites encourage gambling, and I'd be very happy to see them banned too. People would still be just as free to Google for such sites if they wanted to, and to choose to gamble or not gamble.