Racing: Betting shops to lure cash-point custom

Chasing losses is probably the worst trait in betting. And a busy betting shop is probably the worst place to avoid it. But, in a single visit, at least you can lose only the cash you walked in with. Until now that is.

In the Ladbrokes' emporium opposite Victoria Station in London, a cash point accepting all bank cards has been installed to help punters determined to keep up that losing streak.

"That'll do nicely," you can almost hear the machine saying. It lurks in the middle of the customer area, a handy two feet from the counter, looking like any cash point. But a closer look reveals that it will give you your cash – but not take it back. There is no deposit facility.

Ladbrokes said yesterday that ATMs had been tested in some shops but customer demand was low and that the experiment was being ended. But, a spokesman said, soon most of the company's 1,850 shops would be operating a debit-card facility. Cards can be swiped in betting terminals which then issue a bar-coded voucher. The vouchers can be exchanged for cash at the counter.

Surely, however, this scheme should be extended. Soup vouchers should be given to the unluckiest punters.