William Hill sacked its CEO because of his failure to capitalise on “growing online betting” (Report, 22 July). Betting shops proliferate in poorer areas, and it is time to recognise, as the Victorians did, the danger that unrestricted gaming poses to individuals and society as a whole. A solution to stop bookmakers encouraging people to gamble beyond their means would be to reintroduce the Gaming Act 1845, repealed by Labour in 2007. The act’s main provision was to deem a wager unenforceable as a legal contract. So if people are encouraged by “gifts” of £10 or £20 vouchers to bet recklessly and then find their home or most of their savings are at risk, they can walk away. This would encourage William Hill et al to act responsibly.
Charles Cronin
London
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