Sir, – While I’d struggle to ever find sympathy for either the Tory party or what is euphemistically called the “gaming industry”, the current putative gambling scandal in British politics ought to surprise no one, least of all the businesses involved (“Sunak says he will wait for outcome of investigations into betting scandal”, World, June 25th). Even if one confined the options to current UK politics, there are essentially boundless options for speculation and guesstimates for bookmakers to exploit. The overall outcome of the election, the turnout, the margins of victory and defeat are among the more obvious.
But local turnouts, individual candidates votes, spoiled votes and so on can all be similarly used as the basis for wagers.
Crucially none of the above reflect the choice of any person or small group. And then there is the entire world of sport.
In taking bets on the date of the election, bookmakers invite speculation, as if the outcome were unknowable, on what is a choice made by a small number of people. They will inevitably communicate it rapidly to others close to them, or give very educated guesses, as it will enormously influence their year and future. Bookmakers offering such a service to the public should be covered by an overarching commonsense principle – a caveat vendor, one might say – as it is inevitably going to be abused. As their stock in trade is exploiting temptation – like Auden’s Tyrant knowing “human folly like the back of his hand” – they of all people should know better. – Yours, etc,
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Checking passports with immigration control at Dublin Airport
Santiago Cordero: When I arrived at Connacht it was snowing. They told me ‘this never happens’. But I just liked Galway
BRIAN O’BRIEN,
Kinsale,
Co Cork.
Sir, – What are the odds that Rishi Sunak does nothing about this scandal? – Yours, etc,
DENIS O’DONOGHUE,
Moate,
Co Westmeath.