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Do you gamble?

49 replies

Kibble29 · 29/11/2024 09:34

Just a curiosity, really. If you do it, is it football, horses, casino, slots..? How much do you normally risk?

I do like it and I actually won a decent sum last night on a slot but of course it’s not always how it goes. I think it’s great that you can put a freeze on gambling from your bank account now. It’s probably saved me a lot of stress!

OP posts:
LittleRedRidingHoody · 29/11/2024 09:35

Does the Lotto and Euros count 😂

I place the odd bet for actual Football too.

Amjoyaa · 09/01/2025 13:07

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DancingLions · 09/01/2025 13:13

I very deliberately don't as I have quite an addictive personality. I don't really trust myself enough. Only thing I buy very occasionally (maybe 3 times a year) is a Euromillions ticket, if I happen to see it has a huge jackpot.

Oblomov25 · 09/01/2025 13:15

No. Dh has an account. He pays in £30 for the year. This funds all football bets weekly. And a family, ie 4 x £2.50 bet in the grand national.

newyearusername · 09/01/2025 13:16

I don't gamble, with a couple of small exceptions. For example if the office were running a sweepstake on the national lottery, I might buy a ticket for £1. When on holiday, I might spend a few quid in an arcade on the 2p machines. But other than that, I don't play the national lottery or anything.

ChewieChewieChewie · 09/01/2025 13:18

No. I sometimes do matched betting and similar but I am very strict with myself and never just gamble. When I get tempted I step away for a few months.

Printedword · 09/01/2025 13:21

No, generally. I have been to racing at Newmarket and once or twice elsewhere as part of an outing and had a bit of a flutter. I also went to a casino in Melbourne (Aus) with a friend when our OHs were at a dinner for an ILO conference. It was fun, but not something I'd ever get sucked into.

DramaAlpaca · 09/01/2025 13:21

No. Absolutely never. Not even a lottery ticket. I don't like throwing my money away.

OnlyMothersInTheBuilding · 09/01/2025 13:22

I'll usually bet on major football tournaments but that's about it.

hexsnidgett · 09/01/2025 13:23

No never. Not even a school raffle.

Snugglemonkey · 09/01/2025 13:33

I do euromillions weekly. The odd raffle.

tangoboxing · 09/01/2025 13:39

No - never have, not even a lottery ticket & I’ve never been tempted. Gambling is a fool’s game.

PassingStranger · 09/01/2025 13:49

A fool and his/her money are soon parted.

WhatsTheMatterDavid · 09/01/2025 13:50

I gamble only as entertainment, so seeing it as a payment for 'fun' in return rather than expecting increased money in return. I've been to the casino when younger, occasionally put the lottery on (maybe twice a year), less occasionally might buy a scratchcard or raffle ticket. Oh, and also 2p machines with the DC sometimes.

I don't understand the draw for gambling addicts, I expect it must be overwhelming. A family member has had a terrible time with gambling and I can't wrap my head around why he has done it (from a 'how strange that we're all different' perspective, rather than judgemental perspective).

I never expect to win, and getting a win doesn't make me want to gamble anymore that I usually would. I don't understand what the driver is for gambling addicts.

ManchesterLu · 09/01/2025 14:02

I get the VERY occasional scratch card, by which I mean every couple of years, if I'm standing behind someone who buys one, and I have a spare couple of quid to hand.

I quite like playing slots on bingo sites, but again, not often. I might put £10 a couple of times a year.

I like the excitement of knowing you could win, but I'm smart enough to know the odds aren't worth any regular investment!

Ginkypig · 09/01/2025 14:27

Occasionally. With the exception of a regular charity lottery and a weekly line on the national lottery.

sometimes not for months at a time and other times I coincidentally might buy a scratch card enter a raffle and place a bet on for example the grand national all in the same month. Or I might just do one of those things and nothing again for weeks.

there is no particular reason or pattern and I don’t think about gambling when I’m not doing it. So it’s not like doing it triggers doing it more. I never spend a lot really. pretty much never spend more than 1-10 pounds.

for me it’s entirely optional and winning is lovely but not expected and I never get that feeling of wanting to spend more to recover my losses or use winnings to expand winnings. I set whatever budget and once it’s gone or I’ve won I’m done.

apart from that I bet some years £10 pounds on it being a white Christmas. Not every year but if we are having a winter when I think it will be likely then I might. I didn’t this year and would have lost if I had! Won £50 plus my stake back a couple of years ago.

i have never done casino or machine type betting and I can’t say it interests me so probably never will unless I happen to be in vegas and do it for a quick 10 mins for the novelty of saying I have on my way to a buffet 😂

stbeaker · 09/01/2025 14:29

hexsnidgett · 09/01/2025 13:23

No never. Not even a school raffle.

Is that really betting?

MrsSkylerWhite · 09/01/2025 14:31

Lotto and Euro M most weeks.

SoapySponge · 09/01/2025 14:56

I buy raffle tickets and enter the sweepstakes in my local pub on major sporting events, but that's all.

murasaki · 09/01/2025 16:01

The grand national and Gold cup, i leave the cash in my online account so rarely have to pay more in as I each way a lot and always at least cover my costs, it's for the investment in the race.

Occasionally the euro millions and lottery. Never football after I put a bet on my team who were 2 up at half time and they lost. No scratchcards or bingo etc, that way madness lies.

janmarmay83 · 10/01/2025 11:17

No not really. I think it can be very addictive. I'm always shocked at the amount of gambling adverts on tv nowadays, especially during the day

Occasionally but a lottery ticket, and school raffle and the like but I don't thinks that's gambling really, don't expect to win anything

janmarmay83 · 10/01/2025 11:18

Also hate seeing wealthy sports stars adverting gambling. Really no need for them to do it. Surely they have seen the damage it can do

DoAWheelie · 10/01/2025 11:26

No. Well actually, I sometimes play bingo or spend a few hours in the arcade. I know it's technically gambling but I don't tend to view it that way. I do it as I enjoy the process of playing the actual games so I turn up with a set amount of money (e.g. £20) and play until it's all gone. I fully expect to walk away with nothing and view any "wins" as free extra play time so that I can stay longer.

I usually get a few hours entertainment out of it. The slidey 2p machines are my favourite.

TheoTurkey · 10/01/2025 11:29

No, I’m too scared.

I get my buzz from premium bonds. No risk but a chance of prizes every month. Not this month though 👿

Pedallleur · 10/01/2025 11:52

No. ive met a couple of people who made money on eg horses but they knew how to do it and accepted any losses. there is a reason why denise Coates CEO of Bet365 is a billionaire (v.smart woman with a family business) and those big shiny casinos in LV exist

Denise Coates CBE is a British billionaire businesswoman, the founder, majority shareholder and joint chief executive of online gambling company bet365. As of July 2023, Forbes estimates Coates' net worth at $7.7 billion. In 2020, she earned a salary of £422 million and dividends of £48 million.

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