Shop Manager

Betting shop manager in London with 5+ years experience. Anonymous.

[Shop Manager @ShopManager2]

@VictoriaCoren So yes, regulate, but carefully. If you tax licensed betting into oblivion, people do not stop gambling. My punters were already betting underground. Punishing crap operators is fair, but squeezing the whole industry may just push punters further into the shadows.

[Shop Manager @ShopManager2]

@VictoriaCoren Betting shops used to be proper specialist places. Punters were known by name, staff knew their stuff, wages were decent and you finished at a sensible hour. Then someone decided shops had to appeal to absolutely everyone. Gambling isn’t for everyone... (2/3)

[Shop Manager @ShopManager2]

@VictoriaCoren Good morning. I was genuinely humbled when you replied to me about FOBTs back when I was 'just' a betting shop worker. I’ve since left the industry, but I still think the machines get blamed for far too much. The real decline came from management decisions. (1/3)

[Shop Manager @ShopManager2]

@RHunterPaul

Seeds 1 and 2 get semi-final byes; 3 v 6 and 4 v 5 play off. That’s 23 matches, max six per team, clearer tables and less harsh elimination. Would love your thoughts! 🙏

(Bradford Bulls and England/Great Britain supporter).

#RugbyLeagueWorldCup

[Shop Manager @ShopManager2]

@RHunterPaul

Hi Robbie! Lifelong rugby league fan here. After the 2026 World Cup format debate, I’ve had an idea for 2030: 12 teams, three groups of four. Top two from each group qualify, with the six qualifiers ranked on group-stage records. 🏉 (1/2)

[Shop Manager @ShopManager2]

Shameful @RealCandaceO @JackPosobiec @MattWalshBlog https://t.co/orNbsBZ9kB

[Shop Manager @ShopManager2]

Getting ready for the debate and showing my colours (I'm British)!

[Shop Manager @ShopManager2]

@TheGraspGroup @VictoriaCoren They try that in the shops (MOSES) too, but some people know how to get around that. Gambling isn't limited to betting shops.

[Shop Manager @ShopManager2]

@VictoriaCoren Next time, we'll debate football shirts. They're too many...

[Shop Manager @ShopManager2]

@VictoriaCoren that need it. The government and the gambling industry should work on that, but, I'm not hopeful. I apologise for all these tweets! Cheers.

[Shop Manager @ShopManager2]

@VictoriaCoren If you can access betting 24 hours a day, the same companies should also have a round the clock help line + offer free counseling to those

[Shop Manager @ShopManager2]

@VictoriaCoren I would like to see the accessibility of problem gambling to be more visible. On the adverts it seems to be an afterthought.

[Shop Manager @ShopManager2]

@VictoriaCoren Essentially, 'betting is for everyone' is the message that I see, but it REALLY isn't.

[Shop Manager @ShopManager2]

@VictoriaCoren They have adverts offering you free this and free that on their adverts. Black people, white people, Asian people, men, women, young and old

[Shop Manager @ShopManager2]

@VictoriaCoren all their favorite features available. It's a potential time bomb in the comfort from your living room. Strewth.

[Shop Manager @ShopManager2]

@VictoriaCoren That playing online doesn't seem like they're losing their money, until they check their accounts and they have access 24 hours a day, with

[Shop Manager @ShopManager2]

@VictoriaCoren The internet will be a huge issue. At least if you insert money in the FOBTs you can see the money disappearing. Customers have told me...

[Shop Manager @ShopManager2]

@VictoriaCoren ...how is it any different to someone dropping a grand on a virtual race 2 minutes before off, then betting on the live footy and losing?

[Shop Manager @ShopManager2]

@VictoriaCoren ...lose control on each of them. Problem gambling is problem gambling. I respect that you potentially lose hundreds a minute on FOBTs, but..

[Shop Manager @ShopManager2]

@VictoriaCoren We are open until 10pm and there is something for all gamblers until close, whether it be racing, football or roulette. I've seen people...