Britain on bookies part 2

Can't remember his name but the golf expert who has a column in the racing post is living in a dream world. He really thinks he can get rich and make a living from gambling. His poor wife and kid. Going to be very hard when he hits rock bottom.
The couple at the racetrack had a nice day out. The programme makers didn't focus on the other racegoers who were chasing losses and were totally miserable..

The guy got a 20-1, 18-1 and 7-2 winner from a 7 race card and he only went home 30 quid up, he goes to every meeting and won't generally be as lucky so really its pathetic to big him up and make out hes had a succesful day. 30 quid would only cover his entry and petrol, waste of time really!

Wonder what the deal was between the guy and the BBC for all that advertising his column got on national TV. That show tonight was more an advert to gamble than it was anything else!

They guy at the races was a very controlled gambler and only went there in the hope to make his money back for a free day and to cover the petrol etc, i couldnt do that i would want at least £10 a race, i felt sorry for the wife of the column bloke, she looked stunning but sat there and admitted that she knows she cant replace the 'buzz' he gets from gambling and cant make him as happy as a win can, i found that really sad for someone to be saying that about her husband but she has also seemed to accept he cant change his ways and will always do it. But his stakes are so high eventually it will all be gone.

Watched both episodes now, but last night made it all seem glamourous and like you win and earn doing nothing, exactly what we gamblers dont need to hear. They should have showed a gambler running to and from a cashpoint chasing losses and then after drawing out to much money having to wait behind old people in a bank to withdraw from the desk, all the while getting frustrated at how long people are taking. Same as when you are standing in the bookies waiting to put more credit on and someone nips in infront of you with 1p accumalators.lol. Or people crying in their car. That would be a more realistic programme imo.

Yeah that would deffo be more realistic no problem!! Show someone having a losing day that hasnt got 500 quid set aside to gamble with, someone that would have £10 on a 20/1 shot without knowing all about the horse and beeing at the track... i await the phone call lol

Many on here know far better than I where an innocent bet can lead and whilst both programmes will have stirred uncomfortable emotions we can't expect gambling to be totally eradicated from the world (shame I know). A vast majority of people can go to the races or dog track etc, have a few bets and treat it like a night out like at the cinema. it's no big deal to them. If there was a documentary on British pubs the alcoholics of this world would be saying how this leads to alcoholism when the reality is most people can have a couple of drinks, go home and chalk it up as a decent night out.

The gambling industry is an entertainment industry, you are paying to be entertained by a race, machine or sport etc and the more you are entertained the more it costs you. Hopefully what the programme has done is opened more people's eyes as to how deluded people are by thinking they can win long term and a reminder for us all to keep away from this form of entertainment if you are hoping to get it for free, or even profit from it.

Make no mistake there are lots of things about the industry that need changing such as global self-exclusion and a reduction in the maximum spin or removal or FOBT's but ask yourself this - how many people have you seen being forcibly made to go to the races, how many have you seen being frog-marched into the bookies shops? The only way they get any money is if you choose to give it to them - end of !

The sad thing is despite people seeing it for what it is they will still go back and have another go at winning and become upset when it ends the same sorry way.

You can't win long term, you won't win long term and if you don't like losing money (and I hate it as much as anyone) stay away!

Dave

Although there were elements of the programme that could be questioned, anyone watching would surely realise there is only one winner in this battle and that is the bookmaking profession. Rather than this being "brilliant PR" for Coral, their customers should run as far away as possible.

I've lost a small fortune on betting exchanges but I can't see the logic of blaming those who developed such sites. It was my foolish actions that caused it even in the face of all the evidence saying I couldn't win. Maybe that is the hardest thing to come to terms with.

Great point DeLorean.

It was pretty much saying feel free to try but you won't beat us, whilst making it look fun trying. I'm not sure anyone who saw the deluded guy would have thought he was ever going to end up anything other than bankrupt and lonely.

Let's hope if nothing else the message got through to those who still think they can win and become rich.

All good points been made, we have to realise that there going to make a programme look appealing cause it is advertisment for them and new customers etc, otherwise a compant wouldnt approve to making a program, im just glad that we are all in a position to see there lies and we know the truth of what happens when we gamble and cause of that experience were here to support people that believe the programme and ultimately may end up here one day after they lose control. I wish there was a way we could show those people on there the state gambling has got us in and how far it gas pushed us and our families and friends, bet they wouldnt make another show about it again then!!.

All the best everyone stay strong