Betting staff told to offer perks to high-gambling customers

Workers in bookmakers claim they are being instructed to offer gamblers perks to keep them on the machines, the Daily Mail reports.

One former Manager informed a BBC investigation he was told to provide free bets and drinks to those hooked on the gambling machines, while another bought lunch for high-spending customers so they didn't waste time on their lunch break.

“If the shop was too hot for them, we would have to turn the heating down or vice versa. They were the gods of the betting shop,” said one individual who was a Manager at Coral until leaving recently.

“There was a suggestion from the Area Manager at one time that if we had a customer coming in [on] their lunch hour, we had to make sure they didn't waste time trying to get a cheese and ham roll instead of playing the machines. You could go out there, buy them a cheese and ham roll and get it ready for them.