Journalist Wanted - Gambling Commission Complaint

Jeff_Bridges_hair

michael1983l wrote: »

You are talking nosense, Fact - I was there, Fact - You were not. Why would a doctor even talk about legal action if they thought there was no case to answer.

The fact that Bipolar Disorder in men brings up Gambling Problems suggests that he probably has experience in the past with this situation.

I might have Bipolar Disorder, but my ears still work and I may appear to be less than intelligent on here, but I am in fact at least average in society and shouldn't be patronised like a fool.

Just out of interest Michael what are these signs that you talk of?

NCISROCKS

What signs did you show in the Bookmakers that they should have recognised?

NCISROCKS

michael1983l wrote: »

That doesn't mean that we should not at least try to improve the situation or provide better help for those that suffer.

the doctor was pretty adamant that anybody with Bipolar in the enviroment of a gambling shop would display tell tale signs of a problem. The doctor will back me up to that effect so I am happy now that the bookmakers defence of not showing signs of a problem will be blown out of the water by the proffesional opinion of a doctor.

Opinion is not fact. Your doctor was not present, the staff in the Bookmakers were and I'm sure you will have looked like a 'normal' 'mug' punter. What symptoms did you show?

tomwakefield

michael1983l wrote: »

the doctor was pretty adamant that anybody with Bipolar in the enviroment of a gambling shop would display tell tale signs of a problem. The doctor will back me up to that effect so I am happy now that the bookmakers defence of not showing signs of a problem will be blown out of the water by the proffesional opinion of a doctor.

Is that anybody bipolar, regardless of whether or not they actually have a problem?

mrsmehere

Jeff_Bridges_hair wrote: »

To be honest petal

aw thats cute ty

but really, In comparison to your leisurely flitting from pub to bookies of an afternoon, i'm sure the OP appeared to be having a totally different experience

I can't believe this is still going on!

Jeff_Bridges_hair

mrsmehere wrote: »

aw thats cute ty

but really, In comparison to your leisurely flitting from pub to bookies of an afternoon, i'm sure the OP appeared to be having a totally different experience

I can't believe this is still going on!

In fact i think it illustrates the points made right at the beginning of the thread where he claimed that the bookies said it was not an unusual betting pattern so they didnt think he had a problem. And if others in the shop are doing the same then how do you decide.

I know a few Chinese lads who are always in the bookies whenever i pop in and they shovel loads into the roulette machines and are on it for hours. Are they winning? Who knows. Does it mean they have a problem if they are winning? Who knows Does it mean everyone should be treated with the same yardstick? Yes.

pendulum

michael1983l wrote: »

Why would a doctor even talk about legal action if they thought there was no case to answer.

the doctor was pretty adamant that anybody with Bipolar in the enviroment of a gambling shop would display tell tale signs of a problem.

There is no way your doctor would testify in court that you would have showed obvious signs of being a gambling addict whilst in the betting shop. If he did, which he wouldn't, the defence would call on other doctors who would disagree, pointing out that problem gamblers can hide their addiction very well. Think about it... you hid your condition from your wife for months or years, so I'm sure you could hide it whilst you were in the betting shop!

Frankly they'd just destroy you in court if you took it that far.

You just need to be honest with yourself. You've admitted to hiding your gambling. If they had banned you from one shop, you'd have gone to another. It was you that had a problem and you did things you regret. Get yourself the help you need so that it doesn't happen again, and move on.

liam8282

I think this has turned into a bit of a witch hunt against the OP now. Give the guy a break, what exactly has he done to get so many peoples backs up on this thread?

Do I think that the OP has a case to get their money back? NO

But,

Has the OP said he is trying to get his money back? NO

This seems to be most peoples main gripe against the OP.

In all fairness, all I see is somebody who wants tighter regulations on machine based gambling, which IMO is a good thing. Gone are the days of one arm bandits, and having to put a pound coin in at a time, being able to win £25.....

Everything has changed, in my local bookies all slot machines were removed as soon as the gaming machines were introduced and became such a money maker.

If bookies have casino style machines, they should be operated as a casino, making it much harder for the average person to just walk in off the street and get hooked.

I agree it is all too easy for anybody to just walk in and play as much as they want, as I said earlier with casino's their is usually membership and waiting period before you can start to gamble, this would give most people the time needed to think properly and more often than not choose not to gamble.

The same applies for online gambling too.

pendulum

liam8282 wrote: »

... as I said earlier with casino's their is usually membership and waiting period before you can start to gamble

Not any more, that was cancelled years ago, you can now walk in, sign up and gamble within minutes.

Jeff_Bridges_hair

pendulum wrote: »

Not any more, that was cancelled years ago, you can now walk in, sign up and gamble within minutes.

Yup. And there was never a period of waiting time for online gambling either. Sign up, Deposit, Spend.

Same with Telephone accounts too.