Less than 1% of punters show a cosistant profit its no good following radio 4 or newspaper tipsters they never show a profit because they pick to many favourites you must look for weak favourites to oppose they may not suit the going ,or dont like a left hand track the distance may be wrong or the jockey isnt on form also trainers lay out horses for certain target races running them over inadequate distances until the day of the big gamble arrives its a minefield and the average punter has no chance . I dont play slot machines its a mugs game and I dont play cards because I know im no good at it and them Ray Winstone ads should be banned for encouraging mug type bets ,but it is possible to win long term on horses if you know what you are doing ,most punters in our local bookies are fun punters just having small bets for entertainment there are a few with a problem same as the pub has problem drinkers but you cant ban things just because a few people cant control themselves.