Journalist Wanted - Gambling Commission Complaint

tomwakefield

michael1983l wrote: »

Their reaction when they lose.

What if the person isn't in the presence of the bookie when their bet is settled (e.g. the bet is placed on a football match played later that day, or the bets are online, or over the phone)?

michael1983l

bobajob_1966 wrote: »

A court will decide on the facts of the case in question - they will have no interest in some kind of 'sting operation'. If you do go down that route you are likely to end up being classed as a vexatious litigant.

If it is the only realistic way to prove what goes on everyday of the week in these shops, how does that make it vextatious litigant? If the rules in place do not work how else can this problem be brought to peoples attention if the vendors themselves are not going to admit it?

michael1983l

tomwakefield wrote: »

What if the person isn't in the presence of the bookie when their bet is settled (e.g. the bet is placed on a football match played later that day, or the bets are online, or over the phone)?

I am talking specifically about machine betting in stores.

mrsmehere

NCISROCKS wrote: »

I had a heart attack (really) last year maybe I should write to my MP and try and get them banned to save the few of us who will die and in the process thus spoil your enjoyment...or are you happy to make an informed choice? Maybe the Chipmaster should be charged with ensuring your health and ban you?

Well thats a whole different night. posting on a whole different thread!
but Yeah, i'd have a few things to say on that argument. It annoys me the amount of food places opening around here and the amount spent on health promotion. If they wont limit the amount opening they should at least demand a decent quality!

bobajob_1966

michael1983l wrote: »

Betting until your card gets declined then moving onto the next might be an indicator. Or the fact I get flustered and start complaining to the staff about the machines having to be fixed after it rolled in black 15 times in a row when I was doubling on red. Pacing and increased agression too. But of course unless I had a camera crew following me how could I ever prove this? The answer is I cannot, which is why the current regs/CoP whatever is useless.

You said earlier it was the Spanish man that would complain about the machines being fixed. You seem to be getting confused.

All the behaviours that you describe could be indicative of a problem, but could also be characteristic of someone that does not know which account has more money in (a man whose partner controls the bank accounts), or someone who is waiting for some important news (killing time whilst waiting to hear about a job application).

You have still failed to identify anything that would definitively show someone as having a gambling problem.

bobajob_1966

michael1983l wrote: »

If it is the only realistic way to prove what goes on everyday of the week in these shops, how does that make it vextatious litigant? If the rules in place do not work how else can this problem be brought to peoples attention if the vendors themselves are not going to admit it?

That is not a matter for the court. If you wish to take an action against a bookmaker it needs to be about something specific that has happened to you, not a fishing expedition on whether they are doing enough to protect customers in general.

michael1983l

bobajob_1966 wrote: »

You said earlier it was the Spanish man that would complain about the machines being fixed. You seem to be getting confused.

All the behaviours that you describe could be indicative of a problem, but could also be characteristic of someone that does not know which account has more money in (a man whose partner controls the bank accounts), or someone who is waiting for some important news (killing time whilst waiting to hear about a job application).

You have still failed to identify anything that would definitively show someone as having a gambling problem.

It is funny you raised the question about the spanish man, I'm glad you saw the link, there we have it you have identified your first sign of problem gambling, excessive spending followed by a rant about the game being fixed. I am glad you have finally started to open your eyes.

michael1983l

bobajob_1966 wrote: »

That is not a matter for the court. If you wish to take an action against a bookmaker it needs to be about something specific that has happened to you, not a fishing expedition on whether they are doing enough to protect customers in general.

So I am not allowed to record an account of what happens when I bet but at the same time I must rely on the staff's honesty in the shop to back me up in court for my case against them. :rotfl:

mrsmehere

I do wish you success OP in this. I think most of the replies received here haven't understood that you were playing slot machines and therefore wouldn't see that the way you were spending money, the many deposits over short time frame and amounts per deposit in relation to the maximum possible win and all over a good few months, Is a clear indication of a problem regardless of their personal financial situation.
I hope you get somewhere in your quest even if it only helps a few people, something good has come from your situation.

wealdroam

mrsmehere wrote: »

I think most of the replies received here haven't understood that you were playing slot machines...

You may well be right there, Mrsmehere.

Probably because it is only half a dozen posts ago that the OP first saw fit to tell us he was specifically talking about machines...

michael1983l wrote: »

I am talking specifically about machine betting in stores.