Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Culture minister Hugh Robertson rules out a crackdown on fixed odds betting terminals, saying there is a lack of evidence to support a link with problem gambling
While he accepted that "common sense suggests that [problem gambling linked to betting shop machines] is a major problem", he added "there is a lack of evidence to back that up".
[I suppose we shoudl be grateful that the cash being poured into these machines is doing so on solid ground, not going to online overseas tax avoiders.]
The government are looking for some kind of "Milly Dowler" moment, not evidence. There is plenty of anecdotal evidence and of course common sense as he has mentioned. The clustering, crime and concentration in working class areas is not evidence of something definitely wrong. We need to find some families that have been completely screwed over but, I think that will be hard as it's not something likely to be admitted to.
I had a friend who worked in the William Hill at Wood Green. He told me that guys would come in with their debit cards on pay day and point to a machine and load up £500 on it. Often coming back for another go. I see the crime, I see the clustering, I see the money that the companies behind them are making but I just don't see the families blighted by debt. Where are the fathers who are spending everything they can on these machines? It's billions, there must be some. I guess even if we did find some the Tories and the gambling industry would put it down to personal problems...
If gambling ''isn't a problem'' why do gamblers anonymous exist ?
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