- This topic has 58 replies, 27 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 6 months ago by
.
- Posts
Monday 20-07-2015 – BBC1 9pm .
” Britain at the Bookies follows Coral’s fortunes in an increasingly competitive field ,starting
in a Huddersfield branch known for its ” disruptive, often violent ” customers. “I’m really looking forward to this whole series. Full marks to Coral for allowing the BBC such great access to the shops and to Head Office. It’s certainly going to be a fair depiction of the industry, tackling the the issues of staff safety in the shops, FOBTs, responsible gambling, account closures etc. but also showcasing the talented personnel on every rung of the company.
Hopefully it will also be educational for people outside the industry and people who want to know more about how a big bookie operates. I understand that the PR guys, directors and odds compilers will all be featured in later episodes. I’m just hoping I look busy if the camera catches me in the background!
On the evidence of the blurb mentioned in the opening post, and the trailer for this series that appears on Youtube, I expect plenty of tabloidesque sensationalism, and stereotyping of betting shop customers. With Racing being so associated with the “bookies”, I don’t see the pursuit of wagering on thoroughbreds (magnificent as it is) or the people who engage in it, having their reputations enhanced by very much.
“That bloke…,eez a gaaamblar…”
If it’s anything like the bank programme on recently it will be as dull as dishwater with people desperately trying to be personalities
What’s the verdict on pt.1?
It looks like it went down well on Twitter, especially in terms of the BBC’s balanced viewpoint, despite the obvious uncomfortable moments.
First programme looks balanced, hopefully it continues.
Looks like next week might be more about on course horse racing.
Value Is EverythingWell, it was realistic enough. Closing accounts of even the most moderately successful while preying on the habitual gambling of those destined to lose.
It was pretty sad, mostly about losers and even the guy who was making money had his account shut down. It did not put corals in a good light. The message was we will take your money irrespective of how big an idiot you are. The shop manage r was seriously deluded as to his position on the company ladder. I think they said he was on £6 per hour. He forced his own daughter to work at another shop, where violent customers tended to frequent. Look forward to a more equine orientated programme next week.
Nice father making his daughter work in a dangerous place but saying that nobody should have to work in a place that is knowingly dangerous.
To me he just came across as the type of manager of a bookies I hate, all smarm and falseness when the real face was exposed at the machines when he was teaching the other employee how to sucker people into playing them, should lose their license for that.
Thought it was quite good, balanced. I’d applaud the shop manager for his honesty in the way he goes about his job.
Felt very sad for the poor young lad throwing his 140 quid into the machines.
Slightly off topic…besides a 70 quid a week benefit payment, what else would this lad be reasonably entitled to claim for?
I thought it was a very honest portrayal of how the bookies work online and on the high street, not much BS to be found. Matey boy had it spot on with the comparison of gamblers to punters and the store manager, although unlikeable for his actions, wasn’t portrayed in any false light.
I too look forward to the next one.I am always very scetical of these programmes. For example when the barred customer was in the shop and was asked to leave by the manager who was then subjected to a torrent of abuse. It would not surprise me if that was set up and the guy was allowed in the shop in the first place and then told to give as much abuse as he wanted as long as he left the shop without physical violence. Sensationalist TV to get the viewers watching.
Quite sad in places with the unemployed lad down to £4.80 to last 2 weeks and the flipside of the successful gambler being limited and then told his custom wasn’t wanted. Also, another telling feature was more shops opening to exploit the 4 gaming machines per shop.
An excellent insight to the world of gambling told from many perspectives.A brave move by Coral, I thought. I’d bet there was much midnight oil burned in boardroom arguments about the pros and cons of giving free rein in these days of selective editing, and the general all round condemnation of bookmakers.
I thought Tony was a real character. Stand by for Coral announcing a major promotion for him.
Like everyone I felt for the young lad who most would have spotted within minutes was a slightly unusual and troubled character. And fair play to the production team who could have found any number of machine players who’d have ranted crazily at the injustice of everything, how FOBTs were responsible for their downfall etc.
For all the young lad’s difficulties, he showed plenty dignity. He knows where the root of his problems lies and that he’s the only one who can do anything about them.
A rare example of a well balanced reality TV show.
Thought it was quite good, balanced. I’d applaud the shop manager for his honesty in the way he goes about his job.
Felt very sad for the poor young lad throwing his 140 quid into the machines.
Slightly off topic…besides a 70 quid a week benefit payment, what else would this lad be reasonably entitled to claim for?
Housing benefit paid directly to the council for his flat and that’s it. £144 every fortnight to pay for everything, food, heat, water, the lot
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.