Prospects October Job Log

Jack's job log: 17

Written by Jack Milner, October 2011

Jack has finished his degree. His job hunt is proving a long and difficult road.

At work two weeks ago on a ludicrously busy Saturday afternoon, a friend came into the shop (a bookmakers, for those of you who are not regular readers) to place a few wagers on the football. In doing so, he looked round, with the kind of awe that a child has in Santa's grotto, to point out that there was horseracing on two huge plasma screens, the early afternoon kick-off on another and Sky Sports News on a fourth, featuring rugby league, golf and more football to come. He then said, ‘A job? This is PARADISE'.

To an outsider, it may seem just that. Especially on deserted evenings, where unsuccessful betting slips roll like tumbleweeds and bandits are replaced by under-aged youths attempting to sneak in and lose their pocket money.

However, paradise is often that on the outer only and, although the allure and the appearance of a glitzy, flashy hub of sports, jolly offers and the disregard of economics is lauded and almost made fashionable, there is a darker side to the place, and to the profession. The bookmakers, and the gambling industry in general, do not show the more cruel side - the side that the 2005 Gambling Act seeks to protect.

The three laws that all bodies in the industry are 'supposed' to abide by are:

1. Keep crime out of gambling
2. Be fair and open
3. Protect the young and vulnerable

On paper it sounds wise, achievable and easily to police. However, I can recount tales of all three being flouted, often overlapping. Youths seem adamant that the only way they can rise above the breadline is by putting their last few quid in a FOBT (fixed odds betting terminal) machine, hitting that magic number and having their name in lights a mere ten minutes after entering the premises. It doesn't happen. God loves a trier, he doesn't love a punter.

The dark side of gambling is rarely shown or discussed by media outlets or people in the industry. Take a recent advertisement from one of the main bookmakers - it involves a man betting on his laptop at home in a clean, swanky flat with his attractive partner bringing him a cup of tea. Exactly how it happens, isn't it?

Don't believe the hype. I once heard the phrase, 'See with your eyes and hear with your eyes'. Words of wisdom.