Then the whole industry was deregulated by the 2005 Gambling Act, and some extremely predatory companies moved in to exploit the new space. The 2008 GFC resulted in a lot of high street shops suddenly becoming empty, particularly in socio-economically poorer areas, and many were converted into betting shops. I understand it used to be the case that banks and bookmakers premises had the same planning designation and so, as banks unloaded their high street premises, they could be converted to betting shops without requiring planning permission.
The present UK government doesn't seem interested in effective regulation, and the legal review they announced in 2021 appears to be stalled. Meanwhile the industry continues to create endless misery.
(They nearly got away with taking a bribe from Ecclestone to liberalize cigarette advertising, but people spotted that)
The US has a similar 'WTF' when it comes to pharmaceutical ads.
It's the most dystopian wtf moment I've experienced in my life. Dramatic music, documentary-like-voice as if about how someone will murder everyone you know, and the whole point is "don't vote for this person based on the feelings I just made you feel".
Politically influencing people through advertisements regarding who to vote for is plenty democratic and civilized. Those ads are actually very well curtailed by slander and libel laws. Any/everything said about another candidate is almost definitely true, albeit sensationalized.
And, whether or not something is covered by slander and libel laws is absolutely meaningless. You can convey the same emotional message without actually making statements, if what you want is just to scare people.
"Do you reaaally want to find out if your kids will be safe to walk home from school if X is elected for office? Imagine the phone call you receive from the police department when they ask you to identify the body. Don't wait for that phone call. Vote for Y, tough on crime...."
No statements here, no slander. Just a perversion of a democratic process.
The US is heading in a similar direction with gambling, if we aren't there already. Sports betting it feels like makes up half of the advertising and sponsorships you see when you watch professional sports these days.
>Environmental damage(transportation)
>Addiction
>Opportunity cost
>Celeb worship
and only partially related:
>Sports betting(and addiction to betting)
Its a hard pill to take, I habitually watch my university's football team. It is depressing since they lose and their expectations are high. Even the year they won, I can't help to think how many hours I wasted on useless feeder teams and previous seasons. There is a community aspect, but this is overblown because nearly every hobby has a community.
Nothing wrong with playing sports, but there is a reason for the phrase 'bread and circuses'.
It also provides an artificial sense of community where people celebrate the success of something in which they have no part. It's a vicarious form of community achievement which takes effort and money from real communities, like your neighbors and the city around you.
Artificially and without any input from the user.
Just because the masses of population do something, doesnt make it good.
Did you see that ludicrous display last night?
But also, those are plenty of things to bond over. Watching sports to bond must be one of the most shallow types of bonding.
Anyway, I have yet to have a coworker get worked up about casual conversation and I don't watch sports anymore. Seems like a non issue.
Honestly, that's all many people are looking for in an office setting. They aren't looking to get into deep discussions about their dreams and fears, they just want to know the people they're working with are friendly and talk about something other than work for a bit.
If you're addicted there is no fun. And to stop, you can't stop. Kind of an ridiculous slogan don't you think?
They don't really have an interest for their best customers to drink responsibly.
Same as the gambling industry is not interested that their best clients stop. Regardless if the fun stopped or not.