It’s frustrating that some of the pundits who talk about the importance of mental health will then appear in an advert for gambling sites.
Gambling as a whole is a massive problem but attitudes need to evolve beyond it being merely the realm of bookmakers and online betting shops/apps.. I mean the state of gaming (loot boxes) is effectively breeding the next generation of gambling addicts and has till recent years done so unimpeded.
They are right about the example of the small child clapping eyes on a betting shop sponsoring their club, I just mean in the sense that FIFA (for example) has their logo on practically everything and is arguably even worse because their products are also marketed at the young
Gambling needs to be treated like Smoking. It needs to be banned from advertising and heavily limited. Gambling companies should have massive taxes on any revenue while they’re limited on how they can act. No more bombarding people with adverts and messages. No more child like adverts.
There is a petition on change.org that has 44k supporters if you want to add your support.
I spent some time working for a company that produces and maintains FOBTs. Those few months were enough to put me off gambling for life. Worst part is how many of the games are tarted up to not look like slot machines.
For example, blackjack isn’t pure luck. There are strategies you can employ to improve your odds. Same with poker. Gambling is a mechanic of those games rather than the entire game just being s a glorified dice roll. Unless you’re playing on a FOBT. Then success or failure at each round is determined when the round starts and the game just stacks the deck to make certain you either win or lose depending on what the face decided.
It’s literally a slot machine with extra steps. Oh but the game flashes up a warning before you start so that’s fine.
The psychology of gambling and how it can be used to manipulate people even if they aren’t gambling addicts is terrifying. Especially as it is deployed more and more in gaming in general. My no gambling rule extends to shit with lootboxes and paid random elements for exactly the same reason I won’t play slot machines. I’m not a gambling addict but almost everyone is vulnerable to these effects to some degree.
If you want to gamble, play some poker with a few friends. Have an ‘entry fee’ for the game with winner takes all (or a split between first and second place) and no re buy ins. When you’re out you’re out. This set up makes the game less of a gamble and more like competing for a prize.
I’m a gambling addict for 45 years. I have tried dozens of times to give up. I’m usually fine until I get a trigger, like seeing a gambling advert, and I’m so pathetic that I’m straight back to square one.
The bookies and casinos a very well aware of this which makes all the nonsense they spout about safer gambling hypocritical nonsense.
6 comments
It’s frustrating that some of the pundits who talk about the importance of mental health will then appear in an advert for gambling sites.
Gambling as a whole is a massive problem but attitudes need to evolve beyond it being merely the realm of bookmakers and online betting shops/apps.. I mean the state of gaming (loot boxes) is effectively breeding the next generation of gambling addicts and has till recent years done so unimpeded.
They are right about the example of the small child clapping eyes on a betting shop sponsoring their club, I just mean in the sense that FIFA (for example) has their logo on practically everything and is arguably even worse because their products are also marketed at the young
Gambling needs to be treated like Smoking. It needs to be banned from advertising and heavily limited. Gambling companies should have massive taxes on any revenue while they’re limited on how they can act. No more bombarding people with adverts and messages. No more child like adverts.
There is a petition on change.org that has 44k supporters if you want to add your support.
https://www.change.org/p/skyuk-bbc-itv-ban-on-gambling-adverts
I spent some time working for a company that produces and maintains FOBTs. Those few months were enough to put me off gambling for life. Worst part is how many of the games are tarted up to not look like slot machines.
For example, blackjack isn’t pure luck. There are strategies you can employ to improve your odds. Same with poker. Gambling is a mechanic of those games rather than the entire game just being s a glorified dice roll. Unless you’re playing on a FOBT. Then success or failure at each round is determined when the round starts and the game just stacks the deck to make certain you either win or lose depending on what the face decided.
It’s literally a slot machine with extra steps. Oh but the game flashes up a warning before you start so that’s fine.
The psychology of gambling and how it can be used to manipulate people even if they aren’t gambling addicts is terrifying. Especially as it is deployed more and more in gaming in general. My no gambling rule extends to shit with lootboxes and paid random elements for exactly the same reason I won’t play slot machines. I’m not a gambling addict but almost everyone is vulnerable to these effects to some degree.
If you want to gamble, play some poker with a few friends. Have an ‘entry fee’ for the game with winner takes all (or a split between first and second place) and no re buy ins. When you’re out you’re out. This set up makes the game less of a gamble and more like competing for a prize.
I’m a gambling addict for 45 years. I have tried dozens of times to give up. I’m usually fine until I get a trigger, like seeing a gambling advert, and I’m so pathetic that I’m straight back to square one.
The bookies and casinos a very well aware of this which makes all the nonsense they spout about safer gambling hypocritical nonsense.