Betting is becoming all too easy

It seems in these days of economic hardship, as if getting hold of cash was difficult enough, we are being bombarded with opportunites to lose it just as quickly. How can it be justified to allow betting companies to invade seemingly every waking moment of our lives with an opportunity to place a bet on anything.
Smart phones are obviously an easy route in, but the format has become increasingly sophisticated. In game betting is common place, for example you can pick up the phone just before a free kick or corner is taken in a live football match and bet on whether a goal will be scored, or who will score next. Many of these betting companies will even give you some cash just to get you started.
Is it really wise tempting people who very often cannot afford it into getting into debt on the small chance they might win something?
I think it has all got out of hand and something needs to be done now. It is almost as bad as cigarettes so why not ban ads for betting in the same we have for smoking.

The great parking rip off. Councils should be ashamed of themselves.

I was close to losing it this week and all because of parking charges . Is there no end to the wicked things those devious town hall suits conjur up? I'd like to point out that I am a pillar of the community, and wherever possible abide by the local laws like every good citizen should. However, when I come across a plan that is designed purely and simply to generate funds in a devious way, then quite frankly my gloves must come off.
The council in all its wisdom, sees fit to set local parking charges at tariffs that ensure you will never have the correct change with you. And just to make matters worse still, the ticket machine will not supply change of course. So what do you do? You end up throwing away cash and printing out a ticket for a lot more than you need to because you can't leave your car to get change in a shop as someone is bound to ticket your car for not having a parking ticket!
In this day and age getting a machine to provide change would be a simple adjustment however that would mean the council would be out of pocket wouldn't it?

I would really love to know just how much money it makes from funds accrued in this way. Shame on you Enfield you should know better.