Worldwide, governments are intruding on people’s lives. It’s called ‘populism’ – crude appeals by rabble-rousers to ordinary people ‘ground down’ by elites.
Gambling is a release from the daily grind with the hope (mainly vain ones) of escape from a mundane existence. In his dystopian political novel ‘Nineteen Eighty Four’ George Orwell wrote: “Gambling filled up the horizon of their minds. To keep them (the masses) in control was not difficult”. He was talking about the ‘proles’ – you and me.
The Gambling Commission took the gestation period of a baby elephant and 250 dense pages to tell their story – which was surely mapped out before they started, it was obvious; the masses were in need of control.
The review will not win literary awards, for fiction or non-fiction, sagging under such chapter headings as: ‘Unaffordable losses’, ‘Frictionless enhanced spending checks’, ‘Triggers’ (no, not the horse), ‘Harmful binges’ and ‘Protecting vulnerable minorities while not impinging on the rights of a responsible majority’.
Orwell put it succinctly: “Political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind.”
The bottom line of the review encourages government to grab me by my financial affairs and squeeze my opportunities to bet – which defeats the whole object, my right to make decisions.
Demonizing betting strikes at the heart of British (or any other) democracy. “Having a bet is the last democratic act” – Phil Bull, founder of Timeform. He never said truer words.
Denne historien er fra April 2024-utgaven av Racing Ahead.
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Denne historien er fra April 2024-utgaven av Racing Ahead.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Tragedy Hits Racing Family - Nick Townsend reels from shock attack on John Hunt's wife and daughters
Nick Townsend reels from shock attack on John Hunt's wife and daughters. I will be far from alone in recent days in being overcome by emotions ranging from utter disbelief to revulsion upon hearing of the unspeakable acts perpetrated upon John Hunt's family, resulting in the death of his wife Carol and daughters, Hannah and Louise.
AUDIENCE IS ERUPTING
John Anthony reveals the latest top speedsters after another Glorious Goodwood
HORSE OF A LIFETIME
Graham Buddry pays fresh tribute to track legend Sea The Stars - surely one of the greatest ever
IT'S TIME TO TAKE STOCK
Paul Jacobs looks forward to seeing some big on-track questions answered
PLAYING TO THE WHISTLE
lan Heitman flies about to keep pace with a rush of two-year-old Flat action
WINNING JOY ON A BUDGET
Richard Eagle takes a trip to Windsor to check out peoples' route into the port of kings
GIFT HORSES AND FRENCH LESSONS
Robert Cooper finds 'retirement' is keeping him busy
FEUD GETS THE PARTY ROLLING
Karl Hedley savours the Galway Festival action and picks out the summer highlights at Ballybrit
ROCKING THE MONEY BAGS
Simon Nott reveals his recent experiences from trips to Brighton and Ascot
FLYING EVE'S BORN TO WIN
Nick Townsend talks to in-form trainer Eve Johnson Houghton