Betting shops

[Annie.]

On monday night there is a dispatches programme on about the betting shops taking over our high streets, sound familiar?

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[Eagle]

Along with Nail Parlours , Money load shops and Porn ( sorry pawn ) shops.

[14BradfordRoad]

As Jessie.J says;
It's all about the money, money, money..

But country is in financial trouble so good for tax revenue?
Would we really want them to take their wealth elsewhere?

O.K I'll admit it, i'm just on a wind up!

[Eagle]

Not sure betting shops good for the economy overall.
It is the opposite to Mr R Hood . They take from the poor for the rich.

[Annie.]

Depends where they get their "wealth" from? If its out of my pockets then they shouldnt be spending it in the bookies! ;0)) its ok im on a wind up ! Not!

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[14BradfordRoad]

Looks as though we are loosing out on £300million a year in tax revenue due to internet and offshore gambling.
Quote:
The last major gambling company with an onshore sportsbook is set to quit Britain if the Government fails to equalise the tax paid by offshore operations with what UK firms pay.
Gala Coral's group chief executive Carl Leaver says this would be "sad", but warns that
onshore betting taxes are crippling his business against rivals.

Link to story from the Independant (from Feb 2012):
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/busin ... 237506.htm

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Not sure betting shops good for the economy overall.
It is the opposite to Mr R Hood . They take from the poor for the rich.

I would disagree (with the first bit);
Betting shops along with other forms of gambling have been quite a significant source
of revenue to the taxman. How do you mean the 'Economy overall'?

No one particularly wants a high street full of Betting shops but Robin Hood is no real help these
days and is nowhere to be seen (maybe he's done a runner with our money)!

[Eagle]

I agree betting shops contribute to the tax revenue , but they also take money from those who have least to spare , which they would probably spend on essentials for their family.

[simon]

Eagle, you appear to be saying that all those who frequent betting shops are the feckless poor. I have used betting shops for many years and my family doesn't go hungry, thanks. There are plenty of wealthy people who like a bet too.
Mr 14Bradford Road's link says that the UK retail betting industry contribute's £1bn in tax revenues and makes a combined profit of £600 million, a pretty hefty contribution compared to some other sectors.
The clustering of betting shops is a direct result of the 2005 Gambling Act, possibly the least thought through of all of Labour's policies. (The Act was driven by Tessa Jowell at DCMS, seemingly without liaison with the Brown at exchequer thus leading to the anomolous tax rates that have resulted in online operators moving offhsore.) It allowed bookmakers to install up to four category B2 machines or fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs). These machines now generate up to £1,000 gross profit a week per machine so it is hardly a surprise that bookmakers want to open new shops. Bizarrely, a recent cross party DCMS select committee recommended that betting shops should be allowed six machines!
It seems strange to me that the people who most object to the proliferation betting shops are the people who never use them. I also find it somewhat patronising the underlying assumption that betting shop customers need saving from themleves by restrictng their opportunities to have a bet, thus stifling competition and denying them value.

[Eagle]

Sorry Simon
Guess there are some well of people who chose to frequent such establishments.

Very difficult to see how any punter can win in the long term

[Stefan]

Its not about winning its about paying for a dream

[Annie.]

Thats fine- as long as you can afford it. :0))

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[14BradfordRoad]

Thats fine- as long as you can afford it. :0))

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We could say exactly the same of pubs too Annie. I don't frequent either of them.

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I agree betting shops contribute to the tax revenue , but they also take money from those who have least to spare , which they would probably spend on essentials for their family.

Many families have been deprived because of Dad's (or Mum's) drinking habits, also suffer
from theviolence that can come from a severe drinks habit. Unfortunately rich or poor this
sort of problem (just like gambling) doesn't discriminate. So should we have less pubs too?

[Annie.]

Thats true 14B , I suppose the line as to what is one persons entertainment is another persons waste of money can be blurred.

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[Eagle]

Good points

By the way we are having less pubs.

[simon]

I suspect the principle objection is actually how unedifying and soul-less they are. The same arguments are made against Chicken Shops, Funeral Care Shops and Loan Sharks.

I dont think they are soul-less in the way funeral homes are. They are usually quite busy with people, who often get to know each other and who interact with eachother. There is always plenty of sport on the many live screens. Compared to a lot of Sydenham shops; they are always well fitted out with fronts that, if a little corporate, look relatively smart.

simon wrote:It seems strange to me that the people who most object to the proliferation betting shops are the people who never use them.


Why does that seem strange?

I suppose I was asking why people find them so objectionable when they don't use them. Can't people just live and let live?

I didn't realise that shops needed to be socially useful, I thought they were just supposed to offer goods or services that people wanted.

[leenewham]

Some may argue that Funeral Homes are the opposite of soul-less.

I'm not a fan of betting shops, but one or two on a high street are fine. They have market. Lordship lane has a few. It just depends on whether they start to become the most noticable aspects of a high street.

[Eagle]

How can Deptford support so many betting shops.
In the day time assume the good burghers are out working. What do these shops do.

[Annie.]

;0))) @ Eagle

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[14BradfordRoad]

How can Deptford support so many betting shops.
In the day time assume the good burghers are out working. What do these shops do.

Now, now!
Very naughty Eagle..

[Eagle]

Oh, have I put my foot in it again. I would not for one moment think anyone on benefits would visit a betting shop.

But I am very naive in thinking that you do not spend what you cannot afford to.