Gambling

I wasn't able to attend the lecture on Thursday 26th April due to work commitments, however, I've taken a look at some of the posts on other people's blogs and it seems that the topic was gambling. Here are my thoughts on gambling.

I can see the attaction in gambling as I've been to horse racing and the thrill of winning is great, even if your stake is only £1.00. The problem is when gambling gets out of control and becomes an addiction in much the same way as alcoholism or drug addiction. I knew someone many years ago who committed suicide due to gambling debts, he was only in his 20's and no-one, not even his closest friends and family, knew about his gambling addiction. Gambling can destroy lives.

I've been watching TV this evening and an advert came on for on-line bingo, promoted by the self-styled 'woman of the people' Sharon Osbourne - see http://www2.galabingo.co.uk/bingogames.go?page=splash10for5&p_ref=MSNNB2. I think this, and TV competition lines, is a worrying trend. Going to the bookies to place a bet requires some effort whereas TV competition lines don't involve people leaving their homes, all they have to do is pick up the phone. The temptation is to keep ringing and ringing in the belief that the more times one enters the more chance one has of winning. I think these competitions are aimed at the most vulnerable people in society, people who whether for reasons of disability, having children to care for or other reasons, do not go out to work, and these are the people who can least afford the high phone bills. TV companies exploit these people.