Growing trend in Slovakia for gambling to be banned at local council level.

There is a growing trend in Slovakia with local town mayors introducing local legislation to ban gambling in their towns after seeing firsthand the destruction and chaos that gambling causes to family life and the community. This has been against the backdrop of a lot of pressure from the industry about the loss of badly needed taxes into the local town budgets.

The bigger concern though was the social cost, and the number of desperate families that needed help which was deemed (thank god) to be more of an ongoing concern than a few tax dollars. There does seem to be a growing awareness as well that maybe the sums from gambling taxes minus social cost and financial $ managing the consequences are not adding up.

Devolving power to the council to allow local people to decide on the approach to gambling in their communities seems to make sense and where the local councillers on the ground are able to see and experience first hand the devastation that gambling causes and take action.

The GraspGroup and highstreetsfirst are currently campaigning on similiar issue in the UK.

http://www.change.org/petitions/secretary-of-state-for-communities-and-local-government-let-people-control-their-high-streets

Below links in Slovak but google translator will help ;)

http://www.cas.sk/clanok/219336/primator-turcianskych-teplic-chce-v-kupelnom-meste-zatrhnut-hazard.html
http://www.cas.sk/clanok/213557/aj-v-dobsinej-zrusia-vsetky-automaty-miestni-na-hazard-minaju-davky.html

Niektoré slovenského mesta zaviedli a prijal zákony o zákaze hazardných hier

Tam je rastúci trend na slovenskom s miestnymi starostu mesta zavádzajú miestne legislatívu, ktorá zakáže hazard vo svojich mestách po tom, čo videl z prvej ruky ničenia a chaosu, že hazardné hry príčiny do rodinného života a spoločenstva. To bolo na pozadí veľkým tlakom z priemyslu o strate toľko potrebné daní do miestnych mestských rozpočtov.

Väčší záujem však bol spoločenské náklady a počet zúfalých rodín, ktoré potreboval pomoc, ktorá bola považovaná za (vďaka bohu), aby sa viac o pokračujúcej obavy než pár peňazí daňových poplatníkov. Tam sa ale zdá byť stále viac uvedomujú, ako je dobre, že možno čiastky z hazardu dane mínus sociálne náklady a finančné $ vysporiadanie sa s dôsledkami nie sú sčítať.

Prevedie moc k rade umožniť miestnym ľuďom možnosť rozhodnúť o prístupe k hazardu vo svojich komunitách Zdá sa, že zmysel a kde miestne councillers na zemi sú schopní vidieť a zažiť na vlastnej koži devastácii, že hazardné hry, príčiny a prijať opatrenia.

GraspGroup a highstreetsfirst sú v súčasnosti bojuje o príbuznými vydania vo Veľkej Británii.

http://www.change.org/petitions/secretary-of-state-for-communities-and-local-government-let-people-control-their-high-streets

http://www.cas.sk/clanok/219336/primator-turcianskych-teplic-chce-v-kupelnom-meste-zatrhnut-hazard.html
http://www.cas.sk/clanok/213557/aj-v-dobsinej-zrusia-vsetky-automaty-miestni-na-hazard-minaju-davky.html

 

Lessons Learned Checklist - to make gambling safer and free of minors.

To build a Lessons Learned Checklist I have tapped not only my own experiences but also that of an array of other problem gamblers, thinkers, and relevant interested organizations and bodies.

The objective of providing the below list is to encourage further debate and proposals for change to the regulatory framework within which the gambling industry and its financial partners operate to ensure that gambling is as safe and transparent a business as possible. This includes doing everything possible to help exclude problem gambling and minors from the industry. 

Proposed future provisions to the Gambling Act 2005[1]:

• Propose an amendment to the Gambling Act 2005 to increase the legal minimum age for all forms of gambling to 18 years of age. 
• Propose an amendment to the Gambling Act 2005 to legislate that banks decline credit/charge card transactions for gambling transactions, currently Merchant Category Code (MCC) 7995. 
• Propose an amendment to the Gambling Act 2005 to introduce a gambling ombudsman along the same lines as financial ombudsman. 
•  Propose an amendment to the Gambling Act 2005 to introduce an upfront ‘know your customer’ check requirement for remote gambling operators. (e.g. mobile, online casino) As a suggested minimum to include identity, age, and legitimate funding source check requirements. (including for each additional card presented for payment) 
• Propose an amendment to the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate and tax casinos at point of access. 
• Propose an amendment to the Gambling Act 2005 to require banks to introduce an on demand client self-exclusion form for the blocking of debit/prepaid card transactions to Merchant Code (MCC) 7995.
• Propose an amendment to the Gambling Act 2005 to require that online casinos and other gambling operators that do business in a non-customer present environment fully process withdrawals requested by the customer and do not allow withdrawals to be reversed and used for further play. This is the so called ‘reversal of withdrawal’ option offered by many online casinos where funds are held in pended state for a period of time.
• Propose an amendment to the Gambling Act 2005 to increase the minimum time elapsed between plays on all forms of electronic gambling. (E.g. FOBTs, remote casino games).   
•  Propose an amendment to the Gambling Act 2005 that prohibits bonus promotions from having a greater than x1 minimum wagering restrictions before withdrawal.
• Propose an amendment to the Gambling Act 2005 that requires cigarette style health warnings for gambling. 
•  Propose that the government considers provisions within the Gambling Act 2005 for the set-up of a national gambling self-exclusion register subject to strict data controls.

 Additional social provisions: 

• Propose that the government considers increasing the NHS provision of specialist gambling treatment funded via additional social tax levy on gambling industry. 
•  More focus as part of treatment on provision of access to organizations that can assist in helping with debt management, family, and social rehabilitation.

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[1]    http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2005/19/section/43

Credit and Gambling - Email to Lloyds TSB Bank Group Chief Executive, Antònio Horta-Osòrio.

Email (and response) to Antònio Horta-Osòrio, Lloyds TSB Bank Group Chief Executive on the topic of credit and gambling.

Response and follow up email:

Dear Mr Franklin

Thank you for your recent email.

Request #1: Decline credit/charge card transactions to Merchant Code (MCC) 7995

There are a large number of our customers who gamble responsibly and whilst I appreciate the reasons that you are requesting this change to our process we do not have any plans to restrict future card transactions.

Request #2: Form for self exclusion of debit/prepaid card transactions to Merchant Code (MCC) 7995

As mentioned in #1 we do not have any plans to restrict future card transactions but we will continue to act upon information received from customers and/or relatives which indicate there is a gambling problem.

I hope that you will understand the reasons for our decision and I would like to add that we are continually reviewing and changing our lending policy and we will certainly consider your views going forward.

Nick Corderoy | RL Front Line Manager | Customer Services Bristol
Canons House, Bristol TNT 22
Tel: 0845 600 9815 | Extension ID 1580026| FAX: 0117 943 3055|Email: deleted@lloydsbanking.com

---

From: deleted@aol.co.uk [mailto:deleted@aol.co.uk]
Sent: 29 February 2012 12:01
To: Corderoy, Nick
Subject: Re: Irresponsible lending practice complaint

Dear Mr Corderoy,

Thank you for your email dated 24 February 2012 in reply to my email to Lloyds TSB Group Chief Executive, Antònio Horta-Osòrio.

Request #1: Decline credit/charge card transactions to Merchant Code (MCC) 7995

In regard to your response I note that Lloyds TSB lending policy is to 'not knowingly lend for speculative purposes.'

In view of the bank's position I am writing to request the bank updates its procedures to decline card transactions to Merchant Code (MCC) 7995 Betting/Casino gambling where to do so creates a lending position. eg. all credit/charge card transactions, or debit card transactions where an overdraft would be incurred.

Request #2: Form for self exclusion of debit/prepaid card transactions to Merchant Code (MCC) 7995

Turning to the points you make in regard to the bank being made aware about a client with a gambling problem I would like to suggest best practice the bank could adopt both proactively and reactively.

• Request form that a client can complete to self exclude all Lloyds Bank TSB cards (debit/prepaid) from being used for purposes of Merchant Code (MCC) 7995 Betting/Casino gambling transactions.
• The form would be supplied on request by a client, or the bank would inform the client of the existence of the form where the bank is made aware of the clients gambling addiction/problem.

The completion of the self exclusion form for debit/prepaid cards would be entirely voluntary on the part of the client and could be revoked with a reasonable period of notice. (eg. one month)

As stated in my previous email gambling addiction/problem is an illness that affects many hundreds of thousands of people in the UK. I look forward to confirmation that the bank will adopt the best practices above as part of its responsible lending and ethical/corporate citizen best practices. It makes a difference to the lives of many who suffer with gambling addiction, and for many who might not as a result of the above actions of the bank today to create a better tomorrow.

Best Regards,

Anthony Franklin.

http://www.grasp-group.org/

-----Original Message-----
From: Corderoy, Nick <deleted@Lloydsbanking.com>
To: deleted <deleted@aol.co.uk>
Sent: Fri, Feb 24, 2012 1:47 pm
Subject: Irresponsible lending practice complaint

Dear Mr Franklin

Thank you for your email dated 20 February 2012 addressed to our Group Chief Executive, Antònio Horta-Osòrio. I have been asked to respond to your concerns by our Group Chief Executive's Office as my team  deal with issues relating to our lending policy and the implications of our customers taking on debt because of their addiction to gambling.

Firstly I would like to mention that it is for our customers to decide how to spend their money and although we will not knowingly lend for speculative purposes, if a customer has chosen to incur debt by spending on gambling transactions, that does not automatically mean that the bank is at fault.

However, where we have received prior notification of a customer's addiction to gambling, either from the customer or a representative such as a family member, and we have failed to restrict borrowing, which leads to further debt being incurred, then I consider that we are at fault.

If a customer advises us that they have a gambling addiction we would place restrictions on future borrowing.

I appreciate that you have concerns over gambling debts being incurred on credit card borrowing or on overdraft via the use of a debit card. As I have mentioned earlier it is for our customers to decide how to spend their money but if we are aware of a gambling addiction then we would place restrictions on the account.

I hope that I have clarified our position in respect of gambling debts but if you have any further questions please contact me.

Nick Corderoy | RL Front Line Manager | Customer Services Bristol

Canons House, Canons Way,  Bristol. BS99 7LB

Tel: 0845 600 9815 | Extension ID 1580026| FAX: 0117 943 3055|Email: deleted@lloydsbanking.com

Original Email:

Anthony Franklin

Email address deleted

Antonio Horta-Osorio

Group Chief Executive

Lloyds TSB Bank plc

25 Gresham Street, 
London EC2V 7HN.

20^th February 2012.

Dear Mr Horta-Osorio,

I am writing to ask for your leadership to discontinue a highly irresponsible lending practice of allowing gambling to be funded through borrowing and in particular the use of payment cards linked to any form of credit. (Credit Cards, Debit Cards linked to overdrafts etc.)

The case for taking a lead to discontinue such practices is set out as follows:

1.   UK banks are committed to responsible lending practice. Lending for the purposes of gambling can hardly be viewed as responsible lending.

1.1. If an individual walked into a Lloyds TSB branch and applied for a £20,000 loan with declared purpose to use the funds for gambling then the bank would decline the application. So why should paying by credit card for gambling transactions be viewed any differently.

2.   To protect vulnerable individuals who have gambling problems from running up huge debts. 

3.   It is in the interest of society that this practice should be disallowed. 

3.1. The financial crisis has demonstrated the cost to the tax payer when banks make bad lending decisions. I don’t believe that the average tax payer wants to see their bank deposits, taxes, or bank charges being used to indirectly pay-off debts of problem gamblers.

The case has nothing to do with restricting an individuals’ freedom of choice to spend money on gambling activities. I recognize that for many people gambling is an enjoyable recreational activity. Nevertheless where the bank knows that credit is being used to fund gambling activity I believe that the case stands as above.

The argument that credit cards paid in full in each month are in some way exempt from the lending argument is not valid in my view as credit is extended from the moment a transaction is posted to an account to the point at which the balance is paid off. The banks know this and thus operate a credit scoring process to assess an individual’s ability to repay.

The British Gambling Prevalence survey said that an estimated 0.9 per cent of the adult population (by one measure) or 451,000 people – could be classed as a problem gambler, up from the 0.6 per cent - or 300,000 - recorded in 2007 and 1999. So this is a significant problem affecting very large numbers of families (and society) in the UK. With Lloyds TSB being more than 40% owned by the taxpayer (or families of UK) I hope this is an issue you will take seriously that the bank should operate in a fair and ethical manner within the society it operates.

In summary I cannot think of a more extreme example of irresponsible lending than knowingly allowing borrowed funds to be used to place bets.

I do not seek to advocate a total block to payment cards (Debit cards, Pre-Pay Cards) being used to pay for gambling transactions as I believe people have a right to choose how to spend their own money. Clearly though the banking industry has an obligation both to its shareholders, and stakeholders including society as a whole, to ensure that it lends in a sustainable, ethical and responsible manner.

I hope that you can agree and that with your leadership Lloyds TSB can immediately review this issue with a view to discontinuing the practice of allowing credit to be accessed through cards to pay for gambling transactions.

I believe that this is a fantastic news opportunity for Lloyds TSB to spread a positive message of responsibility and improved business practice and will set a precedent for other banks to follow suit.

I am happy to provide any further information that you need, I can be contacted by email at (deleted) please feel free to review my blog for further information at http://responsiblegambling1.blogspot.com/.

Yours faithfully,

Anthony Franklin.

Belief and acceptance in recovery from gambling addiction

28-04 2012

I'm depressed today. Why? well I accept my past..I can't change it..I'm not angry about the past..I can't change it.
I'm disturbed about today in this moment. Why? well I want to move on but its just so damn hard.

I've submitted hundreds of job applications in past two weeks and nothing, no interviews, only standard rejection responses. Its not easy now to cover up 25 years of gambling, I've had a few gaps in my career!

Friends - I don't have so many after a life of pushing them away and where my only hobby was gambling..all those gambling acquaintances are ditched now.

My immediate family (parents, brothers and sisters) - don't see them. and its been that way for the last 25 years. Still feel stigmatized by my family for my gambling addiction.

Gambling addiction and recovery is very lonely, and even today I still feel the stigma, the silence, nobody knows what to say particularly about the financial aspects of it, people don't understand so they distance themselves, they criticise, and even condemn..and certainly in everyday life there is not much empathy.

This is the single most important reason I have to remind myself that I MUST TRULY BELIEVE and close down the doubt and negativity that sometimes tries to take over. The only reason I have for a relapse or worse is that I stop to believe in myself, its not arrogance (a word I have heard recently about myself) but its my way to keep going forward.

I'm going out now for a bike ride! thanks for reading and please share #the secret addiction.

Gambling and my wife. Did she choose this life?

'....Someone who really loves you
sees what a mess you can be,
how moody you can get,
how hard you are to handle,
but still wants you in their life.....'    - (My wife posted on facebook)


I have been with my wife for 11 years, she was 18 when we first started our relationship. Together we have a 3 year old son.

Life can be tough for some people by chance, not by their doing. I hid my gambling from my wife for seven years. By the time she became aware of my problem she had more than £50,000 of debt in her name that I had spent on gambling.

We moved to Slovakia (her home country) to start again, and I relapsed again after just one year. This time I spent more than 100,000 Euros on credit cards, loans etc. In Slovak law my wife is jointly liable for this debt with me by the fact that we are married.

We have lost our home, our jobs, and we live seperately by the charity of her parents. In Slovakia the debts stay with you for all your life, and only increase over time as more costs are added.

Did an 18 year old choose this life? This is how devastating gambling is to people's lives, please share this...and raise awareness....thank you.

Groundbreaking Scientific Reseach by Dr Luke Clark shows problem gamblers brains wired differently.

Watching this documentary produced by Matchlight and presented by Alexis Conran, Star of BBC Three's 'The Real Hustle' really makes me feel at peace with my life struggle to overcome my gambling addiction.

Although I have lived with gambling addiction for more than 25 years of my life it has taken me til this point in my life to find the way to overcome the addiction, although I will always be at risk of relapse.

What we now know through groundbreaking scientific research by Dr Luke Clark an expert in problem gambling from Cambridge University is that a gambling addict or problem gamblers brain is wired differently. (see 43 mins into this documentary, link below)

I have struggled with stigma associated with my gambling illness all my life including within my own immediate family. I was not in contact with my parents and two of my three brothers and sisters for six years of my life because of gambling, and it has taken a long time for them to understand and be able to show empathy rather than disgust.

Being a problem gamber is lonely, and the stigma associated with gambling addiction is unpleasant. I have talked about acceptance and self belief being for me the most important ingredients for my recovery and the reason is that over the years and because of my gambling people have constantly put me down and criticized:

'stupid', 'all his fault', 'not responsible', 'bad apple', 'disruptive', 'dishonest', 'bad with money', 'greedy', 'a lost cause', and so on.


I am proud of myself and my achievements in life living with this illness, and I am proud of the responsibility and ownership I have taken to overcome this addiction, and I am proud of myself that I can talk about it, even when it is hard to change years and years of negative perceptions of people who struggle with gambling addiction. I am not angry, and I ask for forgiveness from those I hurt over the years.

Gambling Addiction and Me:The Real Hustler