Study conducted to identify “problem gamblers” does this apply to bingo?

by Hollie Sanders

Apparently a study recently conducted to coincide with the new Gambling Act (the last one was conducted in 1999) is going to contain some shocking numbers that will illustrate that there is an increase in the incidence of “problem gamblers” in the UK. What exactly a problem gambler, is it a nightly bingo player? What criteria are being used to be the judge of the person being given this noteworthy title?

Surely when a person reaches adulthood, they have to take responsibility for their own actions. If you gamble too much, drink too much or play too much bingo then surely you, yourself have to live with the consequences. What with help-lines for potential suicides, drug addicts, wife beaters, over-eaters, cross dressers, dog lovers and anorexics, ad infinitum. Lets us just add “problem gamblers” and bingo lovers to the list of people who the government wishes to “take care of” instead of letting them solve their own problems.

I can’t help feeling that this is a Government plot to tax us adults ever more heavily for the privilege of assuming responsibility for our childish actions (I call it fun), when it is we and only we who can assume that responsibility and learn a lesson from our mistakes. If we don’t learn, we get into trouble; it is really all quite simple. When will they wake up and smell the coffee? The Government is not considered to be Policeman Daddy to the British public they are there to serve its best interest. I for one won’t be giving up my nightly bingo sessions because of a study that now classifies me as a “problem gambler.”