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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think this is not normal behaviour and it could be quite dangerous

39 replies

gnesher · 05/04/2012 23:01

My brother (19) and sister (22) are both back from university and today they went to a bookies and spent nearly 3 hours there gambling Shock. They then went to a bar and got trolleyed on champagne as apparently my sister had won some money on a fruit machine. When my mum was describing it to me and I said how weird I thought this was she couldn't understand why I thought this. AIBU to think its not normal for a 19 and 22yo to spend nearly 3 hours in a bookmakers.

OP posts:
WhaleOilBeefHookedIWill · 05/04/2012 23:02

Why not? Their life their money if it's not what you'd want to do don't do it!!!

LoopyLoopsIsTentativelyBack · 05/04/2012 23:03

What do you think people do in bookmakers?

kickmewhenimdown · 05/04/2012 23:04

if it was one off, not that worrying. If a regular occurrence, then i probably would be worried as i think gambling is becoming an increasing problem amongst younger generation and the easy access of online gambling.

ChaosTrulyReigns · 05/04/2012 23:05

Does the bookmaker have sharp corners?

SarahStrattonsEasterName · 05/04/2012 23:05

Why is it weird? It's not my sort of thing, but they're old enough to, and young enough to want to.

YABU and should butt out.

AgentZigzag · 05/04/2012 23:07

Mmmm I dunno, it doesn't sound 'dangerous' as such, but I can see why you might think that.

For it to be dangerous there'd have to be other stuff to go on, like huge debts, their uni work suffering.

You could say a lot of things 18-20 odd YOs do could develop into something more, like staying down the pub all afternoon then going onto a club until two in the morning (Blush), that doesn't mean they're going to go on and become alcoholics.

I'm pretty impressed with their tastes actually, bit of champers has to be better than a bottle of blue nun Grin

DameHermionesEasterKITTEN · 05/04/2012 23:07

it's not dangerous but maybe a bit common.

thekidsrule · 05/04/2012 23:08

bookmakers are so much more than betting on horses nowadays,fruit machines,poker the list is long

dont know if this is normal really

i do know that gambling amongst all ages is on the increase especially online gambling,its getting a real problem for some

TheCrackFox · 05/04/2012 23:08

It is a bit sad TBH. I used to live across from a bookies and the average age of a customer seemed to be about 60.

PoppadumPreach · 05/04/2012 23:08

on a one-off basis i'd say harmless. sounds like one of those things that just escalates and sounds like the best idea in the world at the time. wouldn't worry unless it becomes regular.

Mrsjay · 05/04/2012 23:09

my friends 19 yr old son is into going to the bookies must be the new going out Hmm she said he also has an online account , I wouldnt know or dare gamble but i guess its their life and if thats what they want to do , although they may be living a champagne lifestyle on coca cola wages

SparkyMcSparrowLaidMiniEggs · 05/04/2012 23:09

Why not? If that's what they want to do.

unadulterateddad · 05/04/2012 23:09

As kickme says, one off no problem, plus they are mature enough to make their own mistakes with money.

crazynanna · 05/04/2012 23:09

My son in law spends around 8 hours a day 6 days a week in the bookies.

He works there Grin

AberdeenAgnes · 05/04/2012 23:11

A 19 year old and a 22 year old went to a bookmakers ONCE.

Why on earth would you be worried?

Seriously?

Thumbwitch · 05/04/2012 23:12

I can see why you'd be concerned but I guess it depends more on whether this is a one-off or a regular occurrence. If it's a "start of the Easter holidays spree" that isn't likely to happen again, I wouldn't worry so much.

You should try being in Australia - the pubs here nearly all have TAB (betting) in them so you can sit drinking in the bar and betting on the horses, as well as having the "pokies" (slot machines) in a separate room. It's a bit tragic, IMO. And waaaay too enabling.

SarahStrattonsEasterName · 05/04/2012 23:13

Lol at Chaos' 'sharp corners' Grin

solidgoldbrass · 05/04/2012 23:13

You sound like a right bundle of laughs, OP. Unless there are issues with alcoholism or problem gambling in your family, unclench a little and keep your beak out.

usualsuspect · 05/04/2012 23:15

Them bookmakers can have your eye out if you are not careful.

Original poster
gnesher · 05/04/2012 23:16

It is the first time I'm aware of but I don't really know if they've done it before/plan to do it again. I'm not anti-gambling per se but I just think that spending 3 hours in there seem an amazing amount of time to spend in there, its not as if they've just popped in.

OP posts:
GoGoBananas · 05/04/2012 23:17

What did the police say?

Floggingmolly · 05/04/2012 23:17

Are you a lot older than your siblings? You sound like the "sensible" one.

lostboysfallin · 05/04/2012 23:17

my sis and I spent the afternoon in one once in Dublin, was great fun
We had a few drinks, won some money, had a few more drinks, had a good laugh

It's not really a big deal

AgentZigzag · 05/04/2012 23:20

You must know, being on MN as you are OP, that three hours can pass in the blink of an eye.

AgentZigzag · 05/04/2012 23:21

I think it's nice you're worrying about them though Smile