Man sues Betfair

[Goobs]

Thoughts....?

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/h ... 41460.html

[eevee]

Interesting case because there are (some) valid arguments on both sides. When there's reasonable evidence of a gambling problem (as in this case) surely the 'VIP treatment' offered by betting companies is inexcusable (for that reason I don't have much sympathy for Betfair here). On the other hand, restrictions that are not self-imposed tend to be deeply problematic on various levels, and a win for Gibson could spell more of that.

[eevee]

That said, the whole thing doesn't sit well with me, call it multimillionaire bias.

[jamesedwards]

Absolute nonsense.

Can I sue a share broker if the shares I buy drop in value? Can I sue Sainsburys because they let me buy enough alcohol to damage my liver? Or my local Newsagent for the 20 fags a day that gave me cancer? Or McDonalds for the amount of BigMacs I chomp through?

What has happened to personal responsibility?

[Euler]

Current legislation means this sort of thing is impossible now, so a bit of a speculative claim.

But yes, I agree, personal responsibility would sort out a lot of what is wrong with the world. Too many people blame others for their shortcomings.

[Goobs]

I guess you could argue that for all those given examples of overconsumption, the safety net is the NHS, they will backstop your poor life choices, no matter what you do.

But who's backstopping your gambling addiction?

If you were your local Sainsbury's largest drinker and they were taking you out for a golfing holiday once a year, I'm sure that would raise some eyebrows...

[eevee]

What has happened to personal responsibility?

I definitely share the general sentiment, it's all gone topsy-turvy. But I also think that McDonalds et al have a lot to answer for.