Carmarthenshire internet gambling worries
County council executive board members in Carmarthenshire have spoken of their concerns about internet gambling.
Councillors said they had heard horror stories about people finding themselves thousands of pounds in debt after signing on to a gambling website.
Council Leader Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “These sites tempt people to join with the promise of free bets or matching their initial stake.
“But before they know it, their money is lost and they have to keep putting more and more in to keep betting and try to win their money back.”
Cllr Haydn Jones said: “Internet and television are big parts of the gambling scene, people should be advised about the dangers of this.”
The executive board discussed the issue as part of a debate on the county council’s gambling policy which went before them this week.
Consultation has been taking place as part of a review on the policy, which has to be carried out every three years.
Members were told that online gambling was not part of the council’s policy, which applies only to permits operating in Carmarthenshire.
Cllr Pam Palmer said: “Internet gambling is a recipe to encourage people to gamble in the comfort of their own homes.
“They make it so easy for them, and people can get into all sorts of trouble. I raised this issue at a recent licensing seminar, we are worried about things like slot machines, but maybe we should be more concerned about gambling online.”
Cllr Kevin Madge said he had heard of people who had lost thousands of pounds through on-line betting.
“It is so easy,” he said. “Before they know it, people have lost a fortune then they spend another fortune trying to win the first lot back. It’s a vicious circle and everyone should be warned of the pitfalls.”
Head of Public Protection Philip Davies said he would contact the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and the Gambling Commission, which were the appropriate organisations to deal with members’ concerns.
Councillors said they had heard horror stories about people finding themselves thousands of pounds in debt after signing on to a gambling website.
Council Leader Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “These sites tempt people to join with the promise of free bets or matching their initial stake.
“But before they know it, their money is lost and they have to keep putting more and more in to keep betting and try to win their money back.”
Cllr Haydn Jones said: “Internet and television are big parts of the gambling scene, people should be advised about the dangers of this.”
The executive board discussed the issue as part of a debate on the county council’s gambling policy which went before them this week.
Consultation has been taking place as part of a review on the policy, which has to be carried out every three years.
Members were told that online gambling was not part of the council’s policy, which applies only to permits operating in Carmarthenshire.
Cllr Pam Palmer said: “Internet gambling is a recipe to encourage people to gamble in the comfort of their own homes.
“They make it so easy for them, and people can get into all sorts of trouble. I raised this issue at a recent licensing seminar, we are worried about things like slot machines, but maybe we should be more concerned about gambling online.”
Cllr Kevin Madge said he had heard of people who had lost thousands of pounds through on-line betting.
“It is so easy,” he said. “Before they know it, people have lost a fortune then they spend another fortune trying to win the first lot back. It’s a vicious circle and everyone should be warned of the pitfalls.”
Head of Public Protection Philip Davies said he would contact the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and the Gambling Commission, which were the appropriate organisations to deal with members’ concerns.
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