Problem Gambling in the UK: A Croupier's View

Thanks to Gary Morris, Intake Worker at Gambler's Help Southern for bringing this article in the New Statesman to my attention: A Croupier's eye view It is also available in PDF form here.

The article is interesting in that it describes first hand what it is like to work in one of the UK's currently existing casinos. The comparison in the article between a saudi millionaire who could afford to lose £100,000 compared to a woman who lost £50 is a good example of how the amount you gamble isn't neccessarily the measure of problem gambling, it is the harm that is caused by that gambling even if it was 5c that is the issue.

A worrying element of the article was this quote:

As croupiers, we were encouraged to report to our superiors anyone we considered a "problem gambler" - that is to say, anyone who was unable to stop and was betting beyond their means. In reality when a report was made, the casino managers were reluctant to act against the man. He was, after all, a punter.

If this is the current practice now in the UK, what will it be like when their is further competition due to the planned expansion of gambling. Regulators need to heed the warning and insure that effective practices are enforced for gaming operators and their staff.

Gambling can be a leisure activity for some, but when it starts to become harmful then it is no longer fun - for the gambler and those affected.

GG