I don’t want to spoil peoples fun but I do think the UK Gov is in the pockets of the Gambling industry whether it’s the tax they get from such or direct contributions to politicians and political parties coffers that lead to the relaxing of laws etc.
I myself know first hand how addictive it can be - I do know the compulsion to chase and despite knowing live casino games and slots are in the houses favour I have found the devil’s game (Roulette) to be oh so addictive once I tried it and have wiped out several times since - yet still sooner or later find myself going back.
I think it would be good to have a resource thread sharing videos (as I come across some I find hella interesting when looking for information on various aspects of gambling regulation / who to complain to and what’s not legit.).
It’s lead me to believe the Government really is not your friend or protector when it comes to either being a savvy punter (can’t get a bet on) or problem gambler with an addiction.
Had sports books not also had casino and arcade arms that they constantly advertise to you while on their sports arms I can honestly say I never would have ventured into either. Apart from poker I never had an interest in such - as I see first hand growing up how addicted my younger brother was to pub fruit machines.
But only by being restricted more and more from sports betting by the bookies and being hit constantly with offers to try the live casinos did I eventually find my way into them.
Then this is where you find all the words and advertising about gamble responsibly and when the fun stops stop is nothing but lip service to look good to the masses. When infact is complete bullshit as each and every online casino run by whoever has these wagering requirements that make you gamble relentlessly to try and clear the 25x, 30x or 50x wagering requirements attached to the so called free money (bonus funds) they gave you or they take back ya bonus + any winnings - not only that you have such little time to do this in - 3 days or if ya lucky 7 days. Furthermore in some smallprint hidden away in the bonus T&C’s they will say games like Roulette will only count (for waging requirment purposes) at 5% in the £/$/€ - so it’s almost impossible to be left with anything once you do that - so in effect these firms win all ends up. You lose ya money they win, you win they take it back under these shady T&C’s. Without a doubt there own T&C’s create compulsive gamblers from normal gamblers right off the bat. It’s like throwing petrol on a fire.
Then where does the Government come in - The Gambling Commision - who always say that’s not their remit to look at shady T&C’s or get involved in disputes - they enforce nothing and pass the buck. God knows what there remit actually is?
Then there’s the media - apart from the BBC the other channels and written press rely too much on the Gambling industries Advertising to ever really highlight the woes or do articles against such practices. It would be like biting the hand that feeds… so the industry is left unchecked.
So in future posts on this thread I will when I find any video links I find interesting share them - whether it’s about the shady practices of bookies restricting winners accounts and or those that do to many offers as well as the damage compulsive gambling addictions have on families and the wider community and what help (if any) is out there.
I may intime share my own stories - as I am not sure where I fall in the spectrum of gamblers.