In BBC Radio 4's Crossing Continents, Rosie Goldsmith investigated Europe's fastest growing leisure pursuit, gambling.

In France one man is suing his local casino because he believes they should have done more to prevent him becoming addicted to gambling.

Switzerland's policy is to train casino staff to identify problem gamblers and offer advice.

Who do you think is responsible for the addiction: the gambler, the casino or the state?

Do you have a personal story to tell?

Please send us your comments using the e-mail form below:

In pure games-of-chance, the odds are calculated to apply the same for each play. Theoretically, a given player might win on every successive play, however wildly unlikely.

If electronic devices are programmed actually to pre-determine the outcome of progressive plays so that the odds are no longer the same for each play, then gambling no longer exists.

The distinction may seem sophistic, but it is not. It is part of the rationale and mystique of chance gaming, the concept of luck depends upon it.
Brooks A. Batson

Prohibition might be difficult to enforce but it would reduce this kind of incidence, and make the lives of many families happier. Theses are vices with state patronage.
Chandra S Joshi

No, casinos should not do more to help gambling addicts. If they should help gambling addicts, then tobacco companies should provide free 12-step "Quit Smoking" programmes for cigarette addicts.

And fast food restaurants should close at 2000 BST; only serve healthy food, and offer free membership to a health club for the obese who cannot help but indulge in fast food.

If you are going to take responsibility for one thing in this world, take responsibility for your own actions- good or bad.
Brendan O'Hara

Should a publican bear any responsibility for taking a drunk's money but not his car keys?
TJ Cassidy

The state has a moral responsibility to educate people about the dangers of gambling, just as in the case of smoking and other addictive activities.

Also, our parliaments may decide to curtail or even abolish the provision of gambling facilities in view of its perceived social risks.

Education about the risks of addiction encourages individual responsibility Lukas

But is it not a morally absurd notion that someone should be held liable for the consequences of providing a service that is permitted by law?

Education about the risks of addiction encourages individual responsibility. But trying to stamp out addiction by persecuting the public provision of a potentially addictive activity does the exact opposite.

Whenever the welfare state tries too hard to solve people's problems for them, it erodes their awareness that at the deepest level, what they do with their lives is their responsibility and no-one else's.

And what better a candidate for addiction than someone who refuses to accept primary responsibility for his life?
Lukas

The gambler is responsible, because he remains in full control of his actions.

Gambling is not physically addictive, though I am sure it is mentally addictive to some. However, any pleasurable activity can be addictive in that way.

Only children can get away with blaming others for their bad choices, since they cannot be expected to know better Brian Blaha

People must take responsibility for their own actions, good or bad, and not try to pass the blame to whoever they can.

Only children can get away with blaming others for their bad choices, since they cannot be expected to know better.

Casinos have no obligation to problem gamblers to stop them, though they may wish to do so for the benefit of other gamblers, or to appease the community.
Brian Blaha

It seems that everyone today, if they have a problem, whatever it is, claims they are a victim and entitled to compensation, reparation, and redress. People just need to grow up and take responsibility for their actions.
Mike

We have numerous casinos in New Mexico. Three of which are within a 10 minute drive from the centre of town.

Ultimately, the individual is responsible for their own actions, otherwise where would the cycle end? Paul

Here the casinos have advice brochures, the staff are trained to spot addicts and the casinos support rehabilitation programmes.

But ultimately, the individual is responsible for their own actions, otherwise where would the cycle end?
Paul

Every time people make really bad decisions, they call it an addiction. Get a grip. Next thing you know television; going to concerts; laughing, and listening to music will be addictive.
Margaret

Gambling is not just about winning but it is also about the adrenalin high and the confidence of the individual in the wager.

In this respect it is indeed like a drug addiction.

The body and the mind thirsts for more of the same highs, keeping us gamblers in that state of constant expectation that with the next hand or the next throw of the dice our luck could be in.

I am off to the pub to check the odds of us winning the next World Cup! Jay

In countries like Australia advertising and access to betting facilities have always been highly regulated.

The large gambling industry machines have no doubt left no stone unturned in their quest to access our thoughts and pockets in all our leisure places and sports viewing.

Well, I am off to the pub to check the odds of us winning the next World Cup!
Jay

Each person is responsible for his own actions and any addiction that results from his own actions.
John Hawkins

Gambling is a public expense and a private gain when gamblers end up broke and have to turn to the state for all their needs,

If the state owned all casinos, at least they could use some of the profits to help the gambling addicts who lose everything they have.

The state in effect subsidises the casino owner's revenue by picking up the tab for all the social costs they cause.

The solution to this costly addiction is for every government to own all casinos or outlaw all of them because the private owners wreak havoc on society.
Lonnie J. Lumley

It is the hunger for a quick buck. Life is a gamble. These people expect riches but would not know poverty if it hit them.
Chris Wikramanayake

What has happened to personal responsibility in today's society? Nothing is ever anybody's fault anymore.

Having laws to protect people from casinos is absurd Marcy

I thought the US was leading the way in ridiculous lawsuits, with obese people suing fast food chains, claiming they were coerced into overeating. But clearly lack of personal responsibility is not a uniquely American trait.

Having laws to protect people from casinos is absurd. Your protection should be common sense to not gamble more than you can afford to lose.

I doubt the French casino grabbed Mr Bryk, withdrew his savings and forced him to gamble it all away!
Marcy

Who is responsible? Firstly the casino and then the gambler. The state also has a role to play in discouraging people from gambling.
Hasan Masudul Huda

People have two legs and two feet; no-one drags them into casinos to gamble time after time.

They have two hands; no-one other than themselves pulls their money out to play.

They should not try to blame others, they should just get help Michele

I am tired of listening to people with the victim mentality. It is time to grow up and act like adults.

If they have got to the point where they cannot stop, they have a big problem. they should not try to blame others, they should just get help.
Michele

I am sick and tired of people pandering to the stupid people of the world. If I want to gamble I should be able to. It should not be banned because some people cannot control themselves.
Scott

I think all three have responsibility for gambling addictions. Alcohol and tobacco companies have to be responsible in the way they promote their goods; and the government is very active in making them do this.

The new gambling bill in the UK looks as if it will just encourage more gambling Mark Vickers

Currently - especially in the UK - gambling does not receive the same attention as these other potential addictions. Not only will the gambler pay for that, but also their families and friends.

The new gambling bill in the UK looks as if it will just encourage more gambling.
Mark Vickers

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