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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

WIBU to object to a bookies?

21 replies

greengoblinofgoo · 17/02/2014 16:39

We live in a small town, population 2-3000 and a major bookmaker has put in an application to open up in a fairly sizeable prime unit. You couldn't avoid seeing it or going past it every single day. I know I hate the idea but am I just being a snob?

OP posts:
MostlyMama · 17/02/2014 16:40

yabu no one forcing u to go

JonSnowKnowsNothing · 17/02/2014 16:43

Most towns have a bookie - what's wrong with them?!

LaGuardia · 17/02/2014 16:43

Object when the get the lap dancers in on Grand National Day Wink

Bunbaker · 17/02/2014 16:44

I'm surprised there is still a market for one these days. I thought most people placed their bets online.

It wouldn't bother me BTW.

Ballsballsballs · 17/02/2014 16:44

YANBU at all.

I live in a larger town and you can't walk ten feet without being near a bookies. It's a bloody infesttion.

Original poster
greengoblinofgoo · 17/02/2014 17:10

Lap dancers? Noooo! :)

Yes, I'm surprised there's a market for it as well, esp in such a small town.

I don't object to bookies as a concept - just that this site is so central to the town it will practically be a focal point, IYSWIM. If it were smaller, or in a less central area I'd be less Hmm about it. Also I live just a few doors down. Nimby much?

Balls yes, I've been reading about how they 'cluster'. Can't imagine that happening here as it's so small but you never know.

OP posts:
AngelaDaviesHair · 17/02/2014 17:14

I object to a bookies as a concept. A great big repository of human misery and a predation on the poor and gullible. They add nothing to society. We are far too relaxed about betting in this country and I wish it would change. (Can you tell I'm from a Methodist background?)

RunRunRuby · 17/02/2014 17:29

I'd definitely object, having lived above one for a while.

jacks365 · 17/02/2014 17:29

Ours is right next to the only children's wear shop which doesn't bother me as such but it has an automatic door which is stupidly sensitive and opens if you just walk past. I hate the opening door.

DrewsWife · 17/02/2014 17:33

I'm Salvation Army and against gambling. But it wouldn't object as it doesn't personally affect me. If people want to gamble it's their choice. My choice is to walk past and not use it.

I don't drink either but I do go to the pub for a ginger beer.

What I am saying is that it's not for you.. But your tastes should not influence others... On saying that.. It's what I am doing now isn't it!! Grin

Original poster
greengoblinofgoo · 17/02/2014 17:36

Angela yes actually I do agree with that to an extent. I wish they weren't there for those reasons too. However I do accept people have the right to pass their time and spend their money as they like. Having said that, I doubt they're still used as they once were - a meeting point for men, a talking shop. The idea of them being sociable or enjoyable places seems so outdated now. Hard to see what they contribute to society.

This is helping me get my thoughts in order btw - thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
greengoblinofgoo · 17/02/2014 17:37

RunRunRuby what's it like living above one?

DrewsWife Well, I did ask! Grin

OP posts:
HellomynameisIcklePickle · 17/02/2014 17:41

I would object, it's just preying on the poor and vulnerable

Viviennemary · 17/02/2014 17:45

You would be right to object. Why encourage wasting money by gambling.

GoshAnneGorilla · 17/02/2014 17:49

What Angela said.

It also seems the poorer the area, the more bookies there are. I also find the explosion in online gambling very, very worrying.

wonkylegs · 17/02/2014 17:50

I object to them especially in prominent positions. Betting shops can cause real damage to communities. Gambling is highly addictive and betting shops with machines can be especially addictive, losing some users up to £300 a minute.
I was especially angry with Labour's move when in power to make it easier to promote gambling & open betting shops.

DrewsWife · 17/02/2014 18:01

I do see the problem issues with gambling before anyone points it out to me. And the misery. Yes I do. But having lived with a gambler as a child who lost us our house due to debts I know that it doesn't matter where it is they will find a place to gamble.

Object by all means. Grin Slapped my own hand there Wink x

RunRunRuby · 17/02/2014 18:21

greengoblin I didn't like it one bit. After a few weeks I could recognise all of the regulars. One in particular was often outside waiting for it to open when I set off for work and would still be there when I got back. At weekends when I was around during the day he seemed to spend most of the day in the shop, leaving to buy his lunch which he ate in there, or to have a beer and a cigarette in the flat doorway. I don't know if he went elsewhere during the day in the week.

Many of the patrons were frequently drunk and/or aggressive. I'm sure plenty of decent people also use the bookies but I also believe it brings out the worst in people. Most days there would be raised voices, swearing, threats, occasionally fights. It wasn't a pleasant environment.

GwendolineMaryLacey · 17/02/2014 18:27

Just to balance the drunken aggressive fighting blokes, my dad likes a gamble, always has done. He's a quiet, law abiding businessman who goes in, places his bets, stays for an hour or so to watch whatever football/racing etc he's interested in and then he wanders out again. I've been around betting offices since I was a kid and never seen a fight or raised voices in one.

SauvignonBlanche · 17/02/2014 18:30

YANBU at all, I wish I'd known they were opening one at the small parade of shops near me.
The parking as become atrocious, the only 2 disabled spaces are right outside the bookies, they're never free anyone and they're never occupied by someone displaying a blue badge. Angry

Skivvywoman · 17/02/2014 18:32

It wouldn't bother me but then I put a coupon on every Saturday and 9/10 times it's me that runs in to put them on

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