Family TV shows linked to online betting games 'are fuelling Britain's gambling problem'

[mack341]

Another gambling article in the daily mail, dated 5th april, must've been put up last night just in time for the saturday print edition.

You do not have permission to view link Log in or register now.

some snippets:

"The Britain’s Got Talent and X Factor games websites feature ‘slingo’ – a bingo-style game with prizes of up to £20,000. Customers win ‘VIP’ status if they wager large sums. Rewards can include 10 per cent cashback on losses, birthday gifts, concert tickets, hotel stays and iPads."

Just like their exposé before on bet 365, I'm sure these anti gambling articles are going to attract more people than they put off. That part above reads like an advert.


‘The industry’s ability to normalise and glamorise gambling, which in turn fuels the rise in problem gambling, is indicative of the depths they are prepared to stoop,’ said Labour MP Carolyn Harris, chairman of the all-party parliamentary group on gambling.

‘I’m disappointed such popular shows and personalities are implicated in this dreadful use of popular broadcasting to attract gamblers. I would hope they are unaware rather than complicit with the problems.’

Terry White, a campaigner and ex-addict who lost £250,000 gambling, said: ‘These programmes and the celebrities involved are endorsing gambling, which I find abhorrent. Why in heaven’s name a show like Dancing on Ice needs a gambling website is beyond me.'

Which is a fair point.

The TV gaming sites are run by the Bear Group, a subsidiary of Gaming Realms, which specialises in games for smartphones and tablets. Clients include betting giants such as Betvictor and 888.

I thought 'bear' had an alternative meaning in online parlance

edit: ITV programs seem to be the ones involved, I wonder if that ant and dec saturday takeaway game that Dunover reviewed and seemed to be really fond of, if my memory serves me right was made by the same firm mentioned in this article??

 

[goatwack]

I agree that these brands are pointlessly linked to TV shows.....but then no one signs up to these sites thinking they're Todd Carthy in Dancing on Ice

 

[mack341]

I agree that these brands are pointlessly linked to TV shows.....but then no one signs up to these sites thinking they're Todd Carthy in Dancing on Ice

not tucker jenkins he hasn't been mincing around on ice too??

 

[shadow123]

For those who are not familiar with it, Slingo is a rather dangerous and potentially very addictive game with a lot of variants
based on these ITV programs and a version based on Rainbow Riches.I came across them on the foxy casino site and I think
Mecca and Gala have them.Seems tame when you first play it but can suck you in fast trying to get the jackpot esp the versions
with unlimited extra ball buys.Played them a bit and can well believe they could cause big problems for some players

 

[mack341]

For those who are not familiar with it, Slingo is a rather dangerous and potentially very addictive game with a lot of variants
based on these ITV programs and a version based on Rainbow Riches.I came across them on the foxy casino site and I think
Mecca and Gala have them.Seems tame when you first play it but can suck you in fast trying to get the jackpot esp the versions
with unlimited extra ball buys.Played them a bit and can well believe they could cause big problems for some players

I think I played that rainbow riches slingo game once and seem to remember it was quite addictive, you'd win small amounts to keep you ticking over, and say 'oh just one more go'...

My opening post was meant as a bit light hearted but just reading a bit more around the article, looking up terry white who's quoted in it, has brought up some more articles that I found quite powerful and moving re gambling addiction and suicides, and that is a terrible situation.

I know there is a strong argument about personal responsibility versus the responsibilty of the gambling industry etc.. but 1 suicide is 1 too many, so reluctantly I am coming round to the 'more needs to be done' side of opinion.