Maguire sent off

Used to work in bookies... Know guy has gambling problem.... Does nothing about it.
Shows the problem with that industry doesn't it? People should be banned or encouraged to self exclude. Pubs can get in serious trouble for letting people get so drunk they pass out etc etc.

 

How do you know I did nothing about it?

It's the law not to serve someone who you know is drunk. Sadly it isn't the law not to serve someone who has a gambling problem. We'd often ask them to consider their actions, and encourage them to ban themselves, and offer phone numbers of support. However there's little more you can do sometimes other than accept the bet they're wanting to place.

 

Wasn't really aimed at you but the industry really. Gambling is a disgraceful industry that ruins lives. But I know you can only do so much for someone without getting an earful

 

In all honesty, there were instances where I probably could have tried to do more. I was much younger then, and it was a job I'd taken in a bit of a hurry because the job I'd had before had reduced my hours down to 8 hours a week. Getting an earful as you say, was part of the job, whether the person was a gambling addict or not. Its a job I hated and now I'm much thicker skinned, I'd probably be better at it.

It is a disgusting industry, and my employers, whilst they acted like they cared, didn't do much to support people who were suffering from a gambling problem, and their attitude was essentially, they need to learn to help themselves. It's part of the reason why, I only have a £1 acca on a weekend now. I know how easy it is to get addicted, and despite the adverts on the tele, how little support there is to get out of it again.

 

I've been on self exemption now for 6+ months. I never had a problem money wise and only did £10-20 a week max in bets, but it took over my life. If I was in the cinema Saturday afternoon I'd sneak looks at my phone in case I needed to cash out etc. Horrible industry for sure, they push for ads during football sponsorship etc knowing full well there things exploit those who are desperate

 

It can take over your life. Fair play to you though for taking action.

I was the same. I was budgeting a fiver a week, but often spending £20. It wasn't until I checked how much I'd lost, that I realised something needed to change.

Whilst I've not excluded myself, I've not signed into a single online betting account since December, and I've stuck to my £1 acca most Saturdays (I'll do the occasional midweek one too).

I find it staggering that there's laws around cigarette and alcohol advertising in sport, yet most of the leagues and competitions are sponsored by betting companies. It makes no sense whatsoever.

 

It is. I remember the days when we’d got Rio, Campbell, Terry, Carragher, Woodgate & King as our centre back options.

Stones looked top class but hasn’t been able to stay fit for over 18 months, Gomez was superb last season but looks off the pace this.

I don’t think there’s anything much in the rest of them, Dier, Maguire, Mings, Keane, Coady, Tarkowski etc. All decent players but none are top quality