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Closing 28 shops in Ireland with more to come. England over 50in the pipe line
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5 years, 10 years max, imo... All gone
Hope I'm wrong, but...
I was in my local baldies this morning, 9 until 1030,only 2 others came in, one playing the machines, the other having 50p forecasts on the virtuals... 2 staff... As they say in the states... Do the math
Hope I'm wrong, but...
I was in my local baldies this morning, 9 until 1030,only 2 others came in, one playing the machines, the other having 50p forecasts on the virtuals... 2 staff... As they say in the states... Do the math
what were you doing in there at that time Reg, using the loo?
stealing pens for mrs butler to do crosswords.
Swifty ^^^ I was reading the weekend entries in the Post, 5 quid to buy now!, and having a free coffee... Plus putting on a few placepots for the day
There's usually a few other old boys in there to chat about the previous day's racing, football, politics etc, but the numbers dwindling
There's usually a few other old boys in there to chat about the previous day's racing, football, politics etc, but the numbers dwindling
It's not just gambling though is it - everything moving to online for spending.
As we discussed on the other 'bookies closing shops' posts, it's not exactly anything most of us use anymore either a betting 'shop'.
As we discussed on the other 'bookies closing shops' posts, it's not exactly anything most of us use anymore either a betting 'shop'.
The Bookies offices were packed for the last few days when the story broke that Betfair were only taking singles on football.
The story was wrong ,but it did not help Betfair.
The story was wrong ,but it did not help Betfair.
And.................The Black suspend on Betfair is also driving customers back to the bookie offices ,but nobody at betfair care
driving customers back to the bookie offices
Might be annoying customers, but I see little evidence of the latter claim brass...
Might be annoying customers, but I see little evidence of the latter claim brass...
Anyone working in a bookies shop with little footfall......knows it's over
Fred,you are out of touch with reality my friend.go into any bookie office this week and ask what is the topic of conversation.
by the way the punters are going in to get the weekend football coupons.hope that helps 
Wonder how many of the ones earmarked for closure are literally next door or sharing a building with a boozer because they seem to always do OK.
you have to remember most bookies own the property ,online bookies have no property.
and the gambling business is on the run ,being chased by governments.and its only starting IMVHO
and the gambling business is on the run ,being chased by governments.and its only starting IMVHO
A bookie on the high street today is very different to a bookie of the past.
A high street bookie closed could mean 1 fobt addict or problem gambler less. This is a price worth paying in my book; pedalling "filth" on the high street cannot be justified.
A high street bookie closed could mean 1 fobt addict or problem gambler less. This is a price worth paying in my book; pedalling "filth" on the high street cannot be justified.
Whilst this is no doubt a business decision, is the timing of it maybe to raise awareness to
the chancellor the impact of any gambling tax rises ?
the chancellor the impact of any gambling tax rises ?
I maintain that gambling is not an addiction,i say its the lure of money that is the addiction .
Answer this question.How many punters would keep gambling if all they got was a toy teddy bear when they backed a winner?
Answer this question.How many punters would keep gambling if all they got was a toy teddy bear when they backed a winner?
I follow funfairs up and down the land trying to bag myself a teddy bear in the claw machine, no luck yet sadly.
We're all wired up differently. We react to internal / external stimuli differently eg some not at all, some more, some less and some obsessively leading to an addiction usually when money is involved.
The lure of money could be more "satisfied" by committing a financial crime eg robbing a bank / scamming / defrauding, etc. I believe an addiction is more to do with the process itself eg fobt - feeding the machine / hitting the button / the attraction of the graphics, symbols, lights and sounds, the surrounding and atmosphere too.
The lure of money could be more "satisfied" by committing a financial crime eg robbing a bank / scamming / defrauding, etc. I believe an addiction is more to do with the process itself eg fobt - feeding the machine / hitting the button / the attraction of the graphics, symbols, lights and sounds, the surrounding and atmosphere too.
People playing the machines in the bookies or the pub...
Are gamblers who are willing to lose x amount
They have no idea of odds, percentages.. Just want a hit, with making a profit a bonus
Generalising I know but they cannot ever win long term, as we know
I'm not saying I'm better than them, but if I lose money it's down to my bad picks on the horses, not a random pick over which I have no cobtrol
Are gamblers who are willing to lose x amount
They have no idea of odds, percentages.. Just want a hit, with making a profit a bonus
Generalising I know but they cannot ever win long term, as we know
I'm not saying I'm better than them, but if I lose money it's down to my bad picks on the horses, not a random pick over which I have no cobtrol
Sorry, that post was meant to indicate how people don't understand how their chances are
I seriously think that most people wouldn't be able to tell you the odds on a coin toss
I seriously think that most people wouldn't be able to tell you the odds on a coin toss
Swifty
That's basically what they're doing
Imagine all day long offering 4/5,even 10/11 on an even money shot
It's a licence to print money
That's basically what they're doing
Imagine all day long offering 4/5,even 10/11 on an even money shot
It's a licence to print money
Ironically reg, that's not correct.
Roulette is actually about the "best value" bet available to you in a Betting Shop (Assuming it's just the odds that are "fixed" on a Fixed Odds Betting Terminal!).
What actually kills the roulette player is (the massively high) frequency of play, coupled with their (also massively high) propensity for addiction.
I'd be pretty confident that a fella just having just 4 level stake spins/day on black or red would come out ahead (over time) of a fella with the same IQ having just 4 level stake horse bets/day. Because the roulette player is betting into a 103% book and the horse player is likely (on average) betting into a 120%+ book!
Obviously, they'll both typically lose (given enough time and enough plays) - and both approaches will generate some addicts (people that just can't stick to their 4-plays only plan) - but the roulette player (while actually getting the better value) will have a much higher propensity to get addicted and deviate from the plan.
So as I said above, it's the frequency of play, coupled with a high propensity for addiction that kills the machine player (rather than lack of knowledge about odds). The odds are against him but they are still more in his favour than the horse player.
Roulette is actually about the "best value" bet available to you in a Betting Shop (Assuming it's just the odds that are "fixed" on a Fixed Odds Betting Terminal!).
What actually kills the roulette player is (the massively high) frequency of play, coupled with their (also massively high) propensity for addiction.
I'd be pretty confident that a fella just having just 4 level stake spins/day on black or red would come out ahead (over time) of a fella with the same IQ having just 4 level stake horse bets/day. Because the roulette player is betting into a 103% book and the horse player is likely (on average) betting into a 120%+ book!
Obviously, they'll both typically lose (given enough time and enough plays) - and both approaches will generate some addicts (people that just can't stick to their 4-plays only plan) - but the roulette player (while actually getting the better value) will have a much higher propensity to get addicted and deviate from the plan.
So as I said above, it's the frequency of play, coupled with a high propensity for addiction that kills the machine player (rather than lack of knowledge about odds). The odds are against him but they are still more in his favour than the horse player.
Darwin's theory of natural selection proposes that organisms with heritable traits that are better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.
Has anyone still got a VCR and/or rented any good films from Blockbusters lately?
Has anyone still got a VCR and/or rented any good films from Blockbusters lately?
All this is purely scare-mongering. There will be a reduction in shops and profits too. Nevertheless, this can be marginalised against other sources of their profitable products online. Also, the bookies need high street exposure even if it means it's a loss-leader eg boosting their products online like the supermarkets selling certain items below costs to attract potential customers.
A reduction in high street bookies is inevitable. There are too many shops chasing an ever-decreasing number of customers mainly due to their reluctance to take horseracing bets, and over reliant on fobt. This event is bookies specific; it's self-induced.
Fobt is a scourge to society in general for their addictive damage it causes esp to the players, their families and relatives. Fobt is very addictive given their attraction of a "possible" mega win (a fantasy), and its repetitive nature.
A reduction in high street bookies is inevitable. There are too many shops chasing an ever-decreasing number of customers mainly due to their reluctance to take horseracing bets, and over reliant on fobt. This event is bookies specific; it's self-induced.
Fobt is a scourge to society in general for their addictive damage it causes esp to the players, their families and relatives. Fobt is very addictive given their attraction of a "possible" mega win (a fantasy), and its repetitive nature.
I don't think its scaremongering because it is already happening. And I don't think this anti-business gov't minds it one bit. Indeed, I think they would be rather pleased if all the betting shops closed. And then on top of that you have the potential betting restrictions coming in. The direction of travel is very clear:
Labour gov't > Digital ID > bank account > betting account > bank account > Digital ID > Labour gov't.
Labour gov't > Digital ID > bank account > betting account > bank account > Digital ID > Labour gov't.
Labour gov't > Digital ID > bank account > betting account > bank account > Digital ID > Labour gov't = COMPUTER SAYS NO!!!
Coneygree197119 Oct 25 11:17Joined: 22 Apr 25 | Topic/replies: 21 | Blogger: Coneygree1971's blog
Labour gov't > Digital ID > bank account > betting account > bank account > Digital ID > Labour gov't = COMPUTER SAYS NO!!!
Computer has been saying "no" to a lot of people for a long time (regardless of who's in govt)
To be accurate now - you could have stated "computer now says no to some losers (as well as all winners)".
Labour gov't > Digital ID > bank account > betting account > bank account > Digital ID > Labour gov't = COMPUTER SAYS NO!!!
Computer has been saying "no" to a lot of people for a long time (regardless of who's in govt)
To be accurate now - you could have stated "computer now says no to some losers (as well as all winners)".
Does any high street need a betting shop? Does any high street need a betting shop stuffed with mainly clueless managers who do not know their products?
The present betting shops in the high streets are non-essentials. As such, their reduction or disappearance is inconsequential even to a recreational horseracing punter. I saw an 'ok koral' betting shop in Westfield Shopping ctr when I picked up an iphone 17 from the Apple store. The shop looked pristine but empty from the escalator.
I wholly agree with the present government hig street betting shops and online ones need be taxed according to the digital age. And, it's not the presently low rates of taxation the bookies have been blessed for the last couple of decades.
Pay back time or ship out!
The present betting shops in the high streets are non-essentials. As such, their reduction or disappearance is inconsequential even to a recreational horseracing punter. I saw an 'ok koral' betting shop in Westfield Shopping ctr when I picked up an iphone 17 from the Apple store. The shop looked pristine but empty from the escalator.
I wholly agree with the present government hig street betting shops and online ones need be taxed according to the digital age. And, it's not the presently low rates of taxation the bookies have been blessed for the last couple of decades.
Pay back time or ship out!
They've been "shipping out" completely of their own accord (and especially from the Bricks & Mortar model) for a long time tbf. Way before the white-paper and way before somebody eventually (finally!) decided that the 2005 Gambling Act might actually be applicable to the Gambling Industry!
Grabbing a share of the huge and lucrative US market has been their primary focus and their absolute priority for a long time.
It's been a happy coincidence (in terms of attributing blame) and very good optics for them, that since the 2005 Gambling Act suddenly (belatedly) came into force just a few years ago and now the prospect of tax rises; that they had long ago given up on the UK High Street and were already focussed on much bigger international markets.
Does anybody believe that they will actually be opening physical shops in their newly targeted territories (even if regulation is lighter touch and taxes are low)???
Grabbing a share of the huge and lucrative US market has been their primary focus and their absolute priority for a long time.
It's been a happy coincidence (in terms of attributing blame) and very good optics for them, that since the 2005 Gambling Act suddenly (belatedly) came into force just a few years ago and now the prospect of tax rises; that they had long ago given up on the UK High Street and were already focussed on much bigger international markets.
Does anybody believe that they will actually be opening physical shops in their newly targeted territories (even if regulation is lighter touch and taxes are low)???
Its getting to the point where all the enjoyment is being sucked out of it and gambling is becoming a big stigma in society. The online restrictions are bad enough but the constent 'you've been logged in for over an hour now' etc etc just get on your t*ts. What other industry openly discouranges its customers from using its product?
What other industry openly discouranges its customers from using its product?
Great point there, something I've thought many times in recent years about the gambling industry.
Even though pubs might have warnings (drinkaware) you would only very rarely stop serving anyone, and that is about a potentially harmful drug!
I think the earlier point about 'natural selection' and examples like Blockbuster are also spot on - if the service that a physical bookies provides ceases to be of any use at all (apart from machine addiction) then they will, and probably should, die off naturally.
Great point there, something I've thought many times in recent years about the gambling industry.
Even though pubs might have warnings (drinkaware) you would only very rarely stop serving anyone, and that is about a potentially harmful drug!
I think the earlier point about 'natural selection' and examples like Blockbuster are also spot on - if the service that a physical bookies provides ceases to be of any use at all (apart from machine addiction) then they will, and probably should, die off naturally.
they have 2 lines.
One generates a 100% guaranteed profit, one leaves them open to a loss via shrewdies, plot jobs, value hunters etc etc
They will never "openly discourage" you from using the former. and b'cos they've got that (had that ??), they don't require the latter.
One generates a 100% guaranteed profit, one leaves them open to a loss via shrewdies, plot jobs, value hunters etc etc
They will never "openly discourage" you from using the former. and b'cos they've got that (had that ??), they don't require the latter.
So, why are they threatening to close the physical bookies, which is where they house their 'addiction machines'.
Surely, that's the only earnings (mostly) they are taking these days....
I think it's because people are either getting sick of the machines, or simply going so busto they can't play them anymore in some cases. It has eaten itself basically. There's only a limited pool they could exploit between them also. And most of those people are brassic.
Surely, that's the only earnings (mostly) they are taking these days....
I think it's because people are either getting sick of the machines, or simply going so busto they can't play them anymore in some cases. It has eaten itself basically. There's only a limited pool they could exploit between them also. And most of those people are brassic.
i'd agree. i presume the bean counters have hauled them in and given them the bad news that the footfall on the fobt's is drying up rapidly.
we need to get the horsey crowd back in then.
no chance, nobody is ever coming back.
get your CV on Indeed.
we need to get the horsey crowd back in then.
no chance, nobody is ever coming back.
get your CV on Indeed.
The bookies have been sucking out the blood that has made the high street shops viable ie horseracing, football, etc. Then fobt was introduced, and given the top slot because of its lesser overheads and assured and easy profit streams gradually but surely to the exclusion of the other once behemoth betting products eg horseracing and football.
But, the stench emanating from fobt is repugnant, lingering and indefensible by bookies in public and their paid advisors (MPs) in Parliament. Even social services, medics, legal establishments and society in general have been affected, a situation the bookies have never anticipated or encountered with any of their other products.
Fobt has become toxic, and not acceptable on the high street. The "chicken" has come back to roost!
But, the stench emanating from fobt is repugnant, lingering and indefensible by bookies in public and their paid advisors (MPs) in Parliament. Even social services, medics, legal establishments and society in general have been affected, a situation the bookies have never anticipated or encountered with any of their other products.
Fobt has become toxic, and not acceptable on the high street. The "chicken" has come back to roost!
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