Sat, 25th May 2013

Echo News

Hampshire gamblers blowing £500m on slot machines

8:23am Friday 25th January 2013

Hampshire gamblers blowing £500m on slot machines

Hampshire gamblers are losing more than £500m a year on high stakes machines in betting shops, the Daily Echo can reveal.

People in Southampton spent nearly £200m on what has been described as the “crack cocaine of gambling” – the equivalent to the city’s entire health budget.

The huge losses were revealed in the week the city’s own giant Las Vegas-style casino moved a step closer.

Now one MP has called for urgent Government action against the machines which he says are “ripping out the heart of many low income families”.

For the full story click here

Comments(31)

Comments(31)

bernard7 says...
8:28am Fri 25 Jan 13

Pretty sure the pond life that use these things are capable of making their own decisions. If they wish to waste all their benefit money on these then let them get on with ruining their own lives. Idiots.

Sovietobserver says...
8:37am Fri 25 Jan 13

Explains why the local owner of these gambling dens Simon Reeves of Las Vegas Trading Co. can afford to build a mansion in the New Forest whilst his customers live in poverty. Not such a good idea this capitalism is it.

Raxx says...
8:58am Fri 25 Jan 13

Yet another symptom of this City's general malaise of despair.

So let's open that super-casino eh!

userds5050 says...
9:15am Fri 25 Jan 13

The government is more likely to allow an increase in the number of these high stake terminals in bookies. The high street shops are currently only allowed four terminals. Tory MP Phil Davis chaired the Select committee who backed the increase whilst failing to declare he received £10,000 in "benefits" from the gambling industry that year. What is equally as ridiculous though is the CFG calling for a reduction in the minimum stake to just £2.

Rockhopper says...
9:22am Fri 25 Jan 13

The revenue generated from these gaming machines are essential for the betting shops to survive.
Basically you are just playing against a computer with a fixed percentage pay out of winnings.
The betting companies love them as you will always know the exact profit element.
Unlike with horseracing or greyhound betting where the bookmaker is not able to guarantee the results.

userds5050 says...
9:38am Fri 25 Jan 13

Rockhopper wrote:
The revenue generated from these gaming machines are essential for the betting shops to survive.
Basically you are just playing against a computer with a fixed percentage pay out of winnings.
The betting companies love them as you will always know the exact profit element.
Unlike with horseracing or greyhound betting where the bookmaker is not able to guarantee the results.
For sure. They also know alot of punters' winnings from racing will just go back in these machines. The government plan to hit bookies online sites, who mostly operate overseas with a 15% tax charge. They'll look to make that money back through these terminals. You'll see more bookies opening on the high street once they're allowed unlimited machines.

SaintJoeBhoy says...
9:40am Fri 25 Jan 13

Unfortunately I have no time for the people who are chucking their money in to these things. They are putting themselves in the situation and I have no sympathy whatsoever for them. It's just as easy to walk away. As I was always told, you'll never find a poor bookie!!

Linesman says...
9:53am Fri 25 Jan 13

It is said that a mug and their money is soon parted.

The big question is, 'where did the mugs get the money in the first place?'

Rockhopper says...
9:54am Fri 25 Jan 13

SaintJoeBhoy wrote:
Unfortunately I have no time for the people who are chucking their money in to these things. They are putting themselves in the situation and I have no sympathy whatsoever for them. It's just as easy to walk away. As I was always told, you'll never find a poor bookie!!
I agree the large betting companies Ladbrokes, Coral, Paddy Power etc are always making profits.
However for the traditional independent bookmaker who maybe has one shop or works at the racecourse it is a struggle.
They are also up against the internet/mobile betting sites.
Yes purely on percentage terms the bookmaker should win but if you gamble selectively and have access to the right knowledge you can make a profit in the long term.

chunky_lover says...
10:08am Fri 25 Jan 13

This is good! Lots of money back into the system.

MGRA says...
10:09am Fri 25 Jan 13

I am in favour of making high stakes gaming machines illegal apart from in licensed casinos.

Monshira says...
10:12am Fri 25 Jan 13

So with already clear gambling problems within Hampshire, what are they going to do about it? Not help these individuals, but encourage their habbits by opening a super casino.

Why couldn't they have put the old site to some real use? The plans for the Icerink/snowdome were far better, promote a recreational sport that actually helps peoples health.

But nope, they don't want to draw people from outside the area, they just want to feed the addictions that have already been made.

I don't doubt there are responsible gamblers out there, but I also know there are plenty that are not.

elvisimo says...
10:13am Fri 25 Jan 13

Rockhopper wrote:
The revenue generated from these gaming machines are essential for the betting shops to survive. Basically you are just playing against a computer with a fixed percentage pay out of winnings. The betting companies love them as you will always know the exact profit element. Unlike with horseracing or greyhound betting where the bookmaker is not able to guarantee the results.
Agree.

Also you dont have to play them as with everything its personal choice. In the same way it is personal choice whether you hurl cheap strong alcahol down your throat, binge on fat filled ready meals, take no exercise etc etc.

Stop trying to tell everyone what to do to cater for the tiny minoroty who if not playing slots, drinking etc would find something else to do.


With regard to the proposed Casino - they target a slightly different customer.

derek james says...
10:25am Fri 25 Jan 13

no different to the mugs who play the lottery and scratchcards

elvisimo says...
10:34am Fri 25 Jan 13

Monshira wrote:
So with already clear gambling problems within Hampshire, what are they going to do about it? Not help these individuals, but encourage their habbits by opening a super casino. Why couldn't they have put the old site to some real use? The plans for the Icerink/snowdome were far better, promote a recreational sport that actually helps peoples health. But nope, they don't want to draw people from outside the area, they just want to feed the addictions that have already been made. I don't doubt there are responsible gamblers out there, but I also know there are plenty that are not.
couple of points - they are not targeting the bookie customer base in the proposed new supercasino. Have a look at the two that have opened so far, I have been to both. Live music, restaurants and a flutter if you fancy, they have a sesible door policy and they are not full of p*ss heads.

The other thing to remember is whilst the council will get a fee from the casino operator. The operators either by themselves or in conjunction with a developer will have to buy the site and construct the and fit out the building . This is not funded by the council it is a wholey private enterprise.
Icerinks and snowdomes on small intown sites would involve either a large cheque from the council or lottery grant as they do not work for private developers (just look at Planet Ices finances). Snow domes have worked to a degree with the Capital & Regional Xscape brand but run to cover costs to facilitate the trading and therefore rents from the associated restaurants and leisure tenants.

The sites proposed would also not be of sufficient size and West Quay phase three would also put pay to any demand.

Rockhopper says...
10:37am Fri 25 Jan 13

derek james wrote:
no different to the mugs who play the lottery and scratchcards
Not really because by playing with Camelot you are also contributing towards charitable causes.

Lone Ranger. says...
11:17am Fri 25 Jan 13

bernard7 wrote:
Pretty sure the pond life that use these things are capable of making their own decisions. If they wish to waste all their benefit money on these then let them get on with ruining their own lives. Idiots.
Where does it state that its "pond Life" that use these machines.
.
What do you spend your cash on ..... Beer, Fags, Sky TV, Lottery, Petrol,Drugs etc ....... If you do .... what makes them or you so different

Beer Monster says...
11:40am Fri 25 Jan 13

elvisimo wrote:
Rockhopper wrote:
The revenue generated from these gaming machines are essential for the betting shops to survive. Basically you are just playing against a computer with a fixed percentage pay out of winnings. The betting companies love them as you will always know the exact profit element. Unlike with horseracing or greyhound betting where the bookmaker is not able to guarantee the results.
Agree.

Also you dont have to play them as with everything its personal choice. In the same way it is personal choice whether you hurl cheap strong alcahol down your throat, binge on fat filled ready meals, take no exercise etc etc.

Stop trying to tell everyone what to do to cater for the tiny minoroty who if not playing slots, drinking etc would find something else to do.


With regard to the proposed Casino - they target a slightly different customer.
Seconded, my local (Hythe CIU Social club) makes most of its money on a couple of fruit machines and veritable spin offs i.e. they are an essential part of the survival of a community based social arena as their revenue can be quantified.

I'll have an occasional punt on a fruit machine in the pubs I frequent - still using the money I won on wednesday to do my groceries today and have a few beers tonight after work :-)

Casino? Not my bag, I'm afraid, but good luck with it...

georgetheseventh says...
11:52am Fri 25 Jan 13

Get the casino built..the bigger the better and as soon as possible.

bazzeroz says...
12:03pm Fri 25 Jan 13

Rockhopper wrote:
derek james wrote:
no different to the mugs who play the lottery and scratchcards
Not really because by playing with Camelot you are also contributing towards charitable causes.
And the lottery is run by a Canadian consortium. British lottery should be run by a British company, don't you think so?

bernard7 says...
12:50pm Fri 25 Jan 13

@ Lone ranger i am not a hypocrit and you knoq nothing about me. I don't drink or smoke so no beers or fags. I don't have sky tv as most tv is awful these days. I don't spend much on diesel for my car as i choose to cycle everywhere to keep fit. I save most of my money so that one day i can afford to buy a house for me and my family and the rest of it is spent on my privately rented flat.

I think all of the above is pretty good really, oh and i don't play the lottery, it's just a waste of time.

So what do you spend all your money on then?

Lone Ranger. says...
1:48pm Fri 25 Jan 13

bernard7 wrote:
@ Lone ranger i am not a hypocrit and you knoq nothing about me. I don't drink or smoke so no beers or fags. I don't have sky tv as most tv is awful these days. I don't spend much on diesel for my car as i choose to cycle everywhere to keep fit. I save most of my money so that one day i can afford to buy a house for me and my family and the rest of it is spent on my privately rented flat.

I think all of the above is pretty good really, oh and i don't play the lottery, it's just a waste of time.

So what do you spend all your money on then?
Firstly ... i never suggested that you were a hypocrite.
.
Secondly .... You are the one that suggested that the people who put THEIR cash into the machines are "pond life".
.
Note the emphasis on THEIR.
.
Dont care what you do with your money or where it goes as long as you enjoy it and get pleasure from ................ Exactly the same way in which i wish the same to the ones that spend a few quid on gambling

bernard7 says...
2:36pm Fri 25 Jan 13

Yeh but gambling is a stupid way of spending money and these people get no pleasure from it, apart from depression amongst other things.

I think you know what i am talking about so don't be all up yourself trying to pick on every little remark that is made.

It's quite obvious that excessive gambling is idiotic and only done by those who can't afford in a bid to win more money but end up getting more debt. If they want that then fine, but they're not contributing anything to society by taking their benefits (my tax money) and wasting it on this s***!

Now obviously this could only be a small minority that are doing this but again as always it's a case of the minority ruining it for the majority.

Common sense prevails here, gambling when you can't afford it is foolish and nobody can get any pleasure from it unless they are lucky enough to win (which i doubt rarely happens)

999medic says...
3:01pm Fri 25 Jan 13

Bernard7, how dare you call people who gamble pond life, what the hell do you know about addiction, I have seen many people lose everything through this route, reading your notes you don't gamble, smoke drink, so maybe your into **** swinging, dogging who knows or cares, but I'm sure you'd be equally as pixxed as I do about you comment. Sure there are people on benefits who shouldn't play as the money was never meant for that purpose, but a fast majority who do play do so because they enjoy it. But once that addiction takes hold then its very hard to break, and beforeyou know it your thousands in debt, and before you come back with some twaty comment, yes I know what I'm talking about having been an addict for many years, and yet I practically beaten it, but not before it nearly destroyed mine and my families life. That is all. Pond life indeed you prat

kingnotail says...
3:09pm Fri 25 Jan 13

bazzeroz wrote:
Rockhopper wrote:
derek james wrote:
no different to the mugs who play the lottery and scratchcards
Not really because by playing with Camelot you are also contributing towards charitable causes.
And the lottery is run by a Canadian consortium. British lottery should be run by a British company, don't you think so?
Richard Branson wanted to buy it but the government wouldn't have it.

Lone Ranger. says...
3:20pm Fri 25 Jan 13

bernard7 wrote:
Yeh but gambling is a stupid way of spending money and these people get no pleasure from it, apart from depression amongst other things.

I think you know what i am talking about so don't be all up yourself trying to pick on every little remark that is made.

It's quite obvious that excessive gambling is idiotic and only done by those who can't afford in a bid to win more money but end up getting more debt. If they want that then fine, but they're not contributing anything to society by taking their benefits (my tax money) and wasting it on this s***!

Now obviously this could only be a small minority that are doing this but again as always it's a case of the minority ruining it for the majority.

Common sense prevails here, gambling when you can't afford it is foolish and nobody can get any pleasure from it unless they are lucky enough to win (which i doubt rarely happens)
Oh dear ......
.
You really do have no idea what you are talking about ...... As pointed out by 999medic.. how dare you call people "pond life" just because their way of life doesnt suit you or yours.
.
How the hell do you know who contributes what to society ..... the chances are that apart from a few quid in taxes you contribute very little..
.
And what make you think that all of these people are on benefits.
.
You talk about common sense prevailing ........ Judging by your posts you know absolutly NOTHING about common sense.
.

pushamara says...
4:33pm Fri 25 Jan 13

Why do you think that it's just people on benefits playing these? I regularly use these machines and enjoy doing so. I have a very good job, nice appartment, nice car and no debt. I spend MY money, not yours or any hand outs from the government. If its not your cup of tea that's your decision but don't just stereotype everyone just because its something you don't do.

Big Mac says...
5:19pm Fri 25 Jan 13

When me and my mates go to the casino we have a right old laugh! Free drinks all night, stacks of chips to throw around, curry to finish off, then a taxi home! What's not to love, it's only money after all!

Solomon's Boot says...
9:25pm Fri 25 Jan 13

So what? The money belongs to those who use these machines....They can do with it what they like...It's about freedom of choice, and I don't think it's fair to say these people are all on benefits either.

bernard7 says...
3:47pm Sat 26 Jan 13

Haha i laugh at you for being a gambling addict get some will power and support your faimly you ***hole!

Lone Ranger. says...
6:51pm Sat 26 Jan 13

bernard7 wrote:
Haha i laugh at you for being a gambling addict get some will power and support your faimly you ***hole!
You pompous little pratt.
.
If anyone is an ***hole its you

More Echo News