Have you ever placed bets on horses or football, taken a chance in the National Lottery or gone on the slot machines?

We asked members of the public for their views on gambling and whether they place bids online or at the bookies.

This follows news from Motiv8 Addiction Services saying they’ve seen a ’significant’ rise in problem gamblers bidding online (see page two).

Graham Jones, 60, from Baldrine, said: ’I bet on the horses and own horses that are trained in England. I’ve always done this since I was little as I grew up near Newmarket and it’s very much part of the culture.

’Gambling has been made easier by the internet. There are too many incentives for people to gamble.’

He’s noticed ’over 42 years of betting’ that there are more bookkeepers in the high streets than there has ever been before. ’That says something,’ he said.

He mentioned the fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) in which the maximum stake at bookkeepers was recently cut from £100 to just £2.

’My concern is the amount of profit bookmakers make. As they have huge profits it means that there are huge losses somewhere. Individuals are suffering the losses, not companies.

’They should reduce stakes on online gambling. They’re looking at bringing in a ban on credit cards being used, but that doesn’t stop people using debit cards.’

Susan Everitt from Kirk Michael said she places a bet on the Grand National if there’s a sweepstake in the office.

’It makes the races more interesting. Other than that I don’t do any gambling. I don’t even do the Lottery,’ she said.

’The media says gambling is more prevalent but it hasn’t affected me personally. I don’t know anyone with gambling habits. It’s brought a lot of money to the island, but it’s an industry that can leave too quickly. It’s too dangerous to be dependant on it.’

Jamie Everitt, 24, added: ’I’ve never been to the bookies, but I’ve placed bets on the Grand National.’

Bethany Walkom, 19, of Ramsey said: ’I don’t understand betting at all, so I never got into it. Someone close to me was addicted to gambling and I just don’t see the point of it. They used to go to the slot machines and it would just make them angry.’

Curaoi Lace, 22, from Sulby said: ’I don’t really get into it. There are no personal reasons, I just never started. I might bet amongst friends and put a fiver on the football results with them. I’d rather give my money to someone I know.’

Jo Johnson, 54, from Maughold, said: ’When you see the advertisements it’s been thrusted in your face too much. It’s branded as "fun", but really it’s not. It’s a huge shame that online betting games are being sold with free bets to start off.’

Thomas Campbell, 23, from Douglas: ’I do the Lottery every now and then. I get pulled into the hope of getting the jackpot. I went to the casino and put in £20 and came out with £21. One of the guys there said: "You sure you’re in the right place?".

’Other people I know bet on [video game series] FIFA, which may look innocent at first but it’s a massive thing. It can be a trap that people fall into and there are people as young as 15 playing FIFA.’