Online Gambling: Good or Bad?

[Stuart]

The BMA has recently raised concerns about online gambling and how it is treated in the NHS. It is apparently particularly concerned that there has been little research in this area, and what little we have suggests that the fact that people don't have to physically pay someone (if you are in a casino, or in a bookmakers, even when paying by card, you still need to hand that card to someone, or stick it in a machine), they appear to think the transaction is somehow less real. I can understand this. When using cards, I sometimes find it hard to work out how much I have spent. With cash, it's easy.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/01...mbling_report/

What I'd like to know is what all of you think of online gambling (I included phone gambling in this).

I personally think it's a bad thing. If you gamble off line, you have to go somewhere to gamble. You have to hand someone a card, and they can usually check you are old enough. With online gambling, it's easy to thing "Oh, I'll bung it on the card" and forget how much you spend. The companies also have no real way of checking how old you are.

OK, so some kids can look older than they are (I did), but online gambling companies can't even check that.

Sadly, it looks like the Government has fixated on Gambling (on and off line) as being a good source of tax, so I doubt they'll be changing anything soon. I just think they are causing problems for the future.

[gazzae]

Originally Posted by Stuart C

With online gambling, it's easy to thing "Oh, I'll bung it on the card" and forget how much you spend.

Surely the same could be said for online shopping?

[smicer07]

Good, as long as you can control what you're spending. Same with any form of gambling really.

[Aragorn]

As a (small) shareholder in Ladbrookes, I've gotta vote 'Good'.
There are always people that can't control their habits, whether it be smoking, drinking, computer gaming, spending, etc. That doesn't mean you should stop selling fags, booze, etc.
Agreed there could be tighter regulation of gamblers, eg maybe a monthly limit of losses, but now the genies out of the bottle I'm realistic enough to know that at least some of the less reputable site wouldn't do it therefore none will.
Maybe the online bookies should give some of their profits to the organisations that help the addicts?

[orangebird]

Can you use credit cards (as opposed to debit cards) for online gambling in the UK?

[TheBlueRaja]

Originally Posted by orangebird

Can you use credit cards (as opposed to debit cards) for online gambling in the UK?

Yes, but you dont just stick your Card number down and off you go - you deposit cash into an account, say $40 bucks and off you go.

It dosent keep taking from your card.

I've played poker online for about a year and in that time i think i spent about 50 / 60 dollars.

Hardly breaking the bank, but its like anything, if you do it responsibly then there is nothing to worry about.

Why is online gambling worse than being able to nip down to you local willy hills or casino?

[Anonymouse]

Yes, you can - in fact I'm not sure they accept anything else.

For myself, I reckon it's bad - but not just in terms of addiction issues. If you're playing online, you have no way of telling - unless you're a professional gambler with years of experience - whether you're playing against a real person or a well-written bot. IMO that's cheating; a bot can figure odds from moment to moment, far more accurately than any human could. When playing poker especially, as Bond said in Casino Royale, you're playing not to the cards, but to the players.

But how the hell are you supposed to suss out someone's 'tell' if you're online? And remember, if you're not playing to cut the other bloke's heart out and eat it, you're a sucker - and, shortly, broke or worse. If you don't like that choice, don't gamble.

Playing face-to-face, poker is not a game of chance, but of skill, i.e. your skill - or lack thereof - in reading the other players, and having them fail to read you. Nor is it just for fun - at least, not if you're playing against someone who's determined to win. There's always one.

And if there is one fundamental truth about gambling (other than that the house always wins in the end, even in an honest casino), it's that those who need to win never ever do. Oh, we've all heard the stories about the bloke who bet his last bit of cash, and won, and bet again, and won, and kept winning until he owned the bloody casino. Yes, it happens. Statistically, it can't not happen. But how often does it happen?

For anyone earning, say, £80K or more a year, i.e. someone who to some extent can afford to lose, I suppose it's something to do. But for anyone with kids and a mortgage to think about: no. Bad idea. You've got better things to do with your money.

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by gazzae

Surely the same could be said for online shopping?

It can, but when you combine it with the fact that gamblers have been known to think "If I place one more bet, I could win", I think there could be trouble ahead.

---------- Post added at 12:15 ---------- Previous post was at 12:12 ----------

I think I need to make one thing clear. I have no problem with people gambling (I like the odd bet or go on a fruit machine myself). I am just concerned we are making it too easy for people to become addicted.

[orangebird]

I think maybe that credit cards shouldn't be used. Just debit. Then at least you can't spend money you don't have. Apart from overdrafts etc.

As the saying goes 'a fool and his money'

But yeah it's good if you set off with the attitude that yes I can afford to throw this away and if I get it back it's been twice the fun..

[STONEISLAND]

I missed read the vote thought it said gaming?

[skyblueheroes]

I think its good. You can bet from the comfort of your own home, and its very easy.

Yes, probably too easy for some people, but then I guess the answer is from my point of view only - good.