Slots of fun?

[Bob Jefferson]

I thought this article in today's EN might spark an interesting discussion on our 'family entertainment centres'.

MP slots in to ease gambling law fears

Frankly I'm disgusted by the government's endorsement of 'super casinos', I think that all gambling should be discouraged and that children in particular should be protected.

It may be part of our seaside heritage but I'll be delighted the day these establishments close down. Clause 58 sounds like a fine idea to me and one that ought to be invoked immediately. I shall be writing to Gavin Strang to express this view. As for our Gambling Minister, what further proof does he require that gambling is addictive and causes untold misery for thousands of families, often on low incomes to begin with.

[Gemini]

I am in total agreement with you here Bob - perhaps we should all be writing letters to our MP.

[Pal of Porty]

Gambling like many things, can be OK for fun and in moderation, but really screw you up when taken to excess. My kids absolutely love a trip to the Amusements and Shows on the Prom and the Pal of Porty clan would really miss them if they were taken away.

[CatzVP]

I agree with PoP, I grew up with the arcades amongst many other things, as did most of my friends and none of us are part of GA. It’s all down to moderation, and if your a child, parental supervision.
Just because a tiny minority may get addicted it doesn’t give reason to close down local business, I don’t see Haddows or the multitude of Pubs being shut because of Alcoholism, or Newsagents being closed because of Tobacco dependency. Its getting to the stage that people wont be able to think for themselves, what’s next…. Ban sticks because of the small minority that may poke themselves in the eye!!
Portobello is a seaside town, and "Amusement Arcades" are part of a seaside town, for the family fun element. "Super Casinos" on the other hand are far different, as they are purely Adult only; They won’t corrupt the kids because...

1) They are an Adult Industry
2) They would or should be policed by law for underage gambling...Just like the 131* Casinos that are running just now.
3) They are a hell of a lot more expensive.

You have Adult Casinos in Edinburgh and most of you don't frequent them every night, even though they are close by!

My only real worry about 24 hour Casinos wouldn’t be the few that get addicted; it would be the noise pollution that they may cause.

[Pal of Porty]

Thanks for that Catz - it has saved me doing my next post.

[Porty]

I am in total agreement with you here Bob - perhaps we should all be writing letters to our MP.

I'll bet you don't get many takers for that proposal.