To think that match betting is still gambling

[Firstimer703]

Earlier on, I sat down with my husband and son for a family breakfast. A minute or so in, DH took his phone out and when I said about not having phones at the table (as I thought we agreed), he basis he had to put a bet on. I said I didn't think that was a good reason and he wouldn't be happy if I did it and I didn't think he'd let DS do it in the future. He completely kicked off, shouting at me in front of DS and being very aggressive.

He's been doing match betting which I've asked him not to do from the start. He told me today he's disappointed that I'm not interested and haven't listened when he's tried to explain. When he has to put a bet on during a 10 minute breakfast with his family and the reason is that he'll lose money if he doesn't, it looks like addiction to me! AIBU?

Hahaha! Yes, matched betting is absolutely the same as arms dealing. I really hope you're being funny because I can't comprehend there are people walking around with such silly thoughts.

Yes, matched betting is absolutely the same as arms dealing

That's not what I said.

The argument is that people will still bet even if matched betting didn't exist. That is true. So you may as well do match betting because people will still bet even if you didn't do it.

The argument for selling arms is that people will still buy weapons even if you didn't make them - so you may as well sell arms if you want to make money out of people.

You can see the similarity between the 2 arguments?

😂 ok. So every person that buys a lottery ticket should consider whether they "mind being part of the gambling industry"

Stop it now, you're on a wind up

So every person that buys a lottery ticket should consider whether they "mind being part of the gambling industry

They are..

I don't know how many people spend a lot of money on the lottery.

But you would admit that gambling is a problem for some people and can wreck lives?

I was going to open a corner shop but I don't think I will. Don't want to be part of the obesity industry. Ooh and what about tempting the people who can't afford to buy my goods....ooh and the burglars who might be tempted by my pretty window.

Worlds gone mad 😂

It where does it end @chomalungma?? Like I said earlier do you refuse to shop because being part of the retail industry is being part of sweat-shop labour, tax dodging multi-million pound companies and keeping employees in NWM jobs? Even if you don't shop in the shops that use sweat shop workers, your still part of that industry by buying things in shops. Exact same logic.

To that end, what industry is it ok to be a part of and how do we all go about making sure we're 100% ethical in our day to day life?

To that end, what industry is it ok to be a part of and how do we all go about making sure we're 100% ethical in our day to day life

That is an interesting question. I don't know.

I don't do matched betting anymore because I don't want to be part of the gambling industry.

I know that some people do because it can make them a lot of money.

But I don't.

Of course it's a problem for some people. So what? Alcohol is too but I'm having a glass of wine now. Obesity is too but I've had a bowl of ice cream. Getting into debt is a problem for some people but I have a credit card. People get run over but I have a car

@chomalungma are you happy to be part of the retail industry which does unmitigated damage the world over to human beings, every day? Or do you make all your own clothes woven from silk laid by snails you found in the garden?

are you happy to be part of the retail industry which does unmitigated damage the world over to human beings, every day? Or do you make all your own clothes woven from silk laid by snails you found in the garden

Like I said, it's tricky. Where do you draw the line? No one can do everything ethically and we are all part of so many industries which when you peel back the layers, open up a whole can of worms.

I just don't feel comfortable being part of the gambling industry. But there are other industries that I am part of.

Where do you draw a line? Or do you wash your hands of the whole thing and just be a part of any industry, as long as it's legal?

Where do you draw a line? Or do you wash your hands of the whole thing and just be a part of any industry, as long as it's legal?

Well I still shop but I exercise damage limitation and pick out the most ethical shops I know.

However when something benefits me and my children (I make £100+ a week matched betting, £200 this week because of rugby offers) and has a negligible effect on someone else (there may be, at a push, one person who I've laid a bet with who's lost and wouldn't have had anyone else lay a bet if I didn't) then I'll be damned if I draw a line. No ones gonna thank me for giving up matched betting!

Where do you draw a line? Or do you wash your hands of the whole thing and just be a part of any industry, as long as it's legal?

Well I still shop but I exercise damage limitation and pick out the most ethical shops I know.

However when something benefits me and my children (I make £100+ a week matched betting, £200 this week because of rugby offers) and has a negligible effect on someone else (there may be, at a push, one person who I've laid a bet with who's lost and wouldn't have had anyone else lay a bet if I didn't) then I'll be damned if I draw a line. No ones gonna thank me for giving up matched betting!

I don't have a problem making money from the gambling industry, just the same as I wouldn't have a problem working at a pub to make money from people buying alcohol. My mum is an alcoholic and buys all her alcohol from Sainsbury's, should I berate anyone that makes any money from Sainsbury's because they sell alcohol to alcoholics?

Just because there are alcoholics and people with gambling addictions doesn't mean the entire industries should be banned or people should be made to feel guilty for profiting from them. Thousands of people are capable of enjoying a drink or placing some bets for fun and entertainment without developing addictions. Yes the industries need to take some responsibility for their marketing, not keep taking money from individuals they have identified having a problem etc. but I really don't think matched betters have any responsibility for people with gambling addictions.

It's also worth pointing out that charities benefit financially from the national lottery fund.. made purely from people gambling money on lottery tickets. Does that make charities responsible for people with gambling problems also?

It's also worth pointing out that charities benefit financially from the national lottery fund.. made purely from people gambling money on lottery tickets

Now that is an interesting question......worthy of its own thread.

OTOH - it's great to get money to help fund a project

OTOH - it's come from a lottery which is often seen as a tax on poorer people who want to make lots of money because the advertising is designed around how life changing a win can be and 'it could be you'.

I wonder how many charities have had that debate?

I just don't feel comfortable being part of the gambling industry. But there are other industries that I am part of.

I think everyone has their line they don't feel comfortable crossing, and it's fine if the gambling industry is yours. I just take issue that earlier on you thought all MBers should have the same line as you when there are so many industries you could apply the same logic to and probably still take your part in.

I just take issue that earlier on you thought all MBers should have the same line as you when there are so many industries you could apply the same logic to and probably still take your part in

Maybe some people haven't thought about it as much?

I was very close to redoing it - I did make quite a bit of money from it. But a part of me still has issues with it - however, I could also do with the money at times.

I have had a struggle with this.

I've thought about it plenty and I don't feel the least bit guilty for doing MB. I do however enjoy the money coming in.

It's not gambling but I will agree it can be addictive. You only make money from doing offers so you need to do as many as you can and the weekends are the best time.
I believe it can eat into family life as it requires a great deal of time to find offers, place bets and lay them. A small mistake like laying on the wrong market can cost a lot so you need to concentrate. Also there is account maintenance and the need to place mug bets to keep your account going. To be honest so many people do it now I am surprised bookies are still giving away as many offers as they do. Another downside is the state of your bank statement, I've really got to get an e-wallet set up :(

@multiplemum3 that's a bit unfair. I'm not concerned what he does until it affects family life. His behaviour this morning was a little crazy and I've never been comfortable with him using these betting sites so wondered what others thought about the betting.

@Rainycloudyday the posts are balanced in that they are fair about the betting and offer some interesting points about the behaviour. It has helped me to think about the whole situation differently which is what I had hoped for.

@ClientListQueen this is useful to know, thanks!

@WomensRightsAreContraversial exactly! I'd be hiding in the hall or something if it was me. He usually warns me beforehand so I'm prepared but he didn't say anything today just sat eating breakfast on his phone.

@crustycrab I do understand it but think these sites are dodgy, DH is sucked in and it is affecting his behaviour. Also, he said I haven't listened or tried to understand- this doesn't mean I don't understand how it works.

@AlternativePerspective exactly!

@AlternativePerspective yes when he expects it if me! He wouldn't let me use the phone at the dinner table and not would I expect him to.