SeanMacGabhann Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > eating and drinking with friends and family are what make us human. Gambling is just a vice > So - no double standards. Massive generalisation, and total nonsense I'm afraid. Every betting shop will have it's regulars just like the pubs. Often these men (more often than not) will sit together in a cafe and sort their bets, they'll then go and put their bets on. They may then go to a pub to watch the races, and will then go back to collect their winnings. I have met several betters in the past who have said to me "who's the mug, me or you. You go and spend ?20 in the pub and never see it again. I let myself spend ?20 on betting because I enjoy it, and have budgeted for it, and I have a chance of seeing my money back". Some people just do it as a hobby, and it is a social thing for them. It really isn't the seedy underbelly of society that everyone makes it out to be.