Please read through the below and consider sending an e mail to the RP.If enough of us participate it just might rock the boat.
Dear Friend of J4P,
Despite the progress we’ve made in the last 20 months promoting
fairness for the punter and gambler, e.g. pushing the Gambling
Commission to establish the Competition and Markets Authority
investigation and many other things, we’ve completely failed in
getting specialist media to report on any of our work. In fact, one
media outlet has shown no interest at all from the outset, e.g. the
Racing Post (RP).
We don’t blame their front-line journalists for this; from the outset
it appears to have been an editorial decision? In the early weeks we
sent an open letter to the editor who appeared to be upset by its
content, because it challenged the RP’s coverage of sports betting
restrictions and the editor immediately blocked J4P on Twitter.
Following a number of requests asking if we could be consulted and/or
quoted on various issues this has never happened. To be fair a couple
of the younger journalists have contacted us on Twitter, but this has
led nowhere. Surely, the evidence we’ve gathered, which is already
being used by various regulators could have been useful for at least one
or two articles?
We’re not stupid and we fully recognise the challenges of consulting a
group like J4P when a media outlet has a close relationship with
gambling companies, but it does display a lack of understanding of what
J4P is about. J4P is not anti-gambling, J4P’s Charter is clear;
it’s all about fair trading. This can only be good for all parties
and one would think specialist media outlets may see this?
This email is to ask you for your help. We would like as many of you as
possible to contact the editor and/or other journalists at the Racing
Post via their automated form, email or letter asking why a voluntary
group who is helping punters (RP customers) doesn’t deserve some sort
of recognition.
Attached (and below) to this email is an example template for
communication; however it’s very important that you put your own
constructive angle about J4P in your correspondence. Please do not
include any abusive language (this is not what J4P does); try to be
challenging, but positive.
We do hope you can find the time to help us and that you decide to
contact the editor and/or other journalists at the RP.
Thanks in anticipation,
JJ
Contact email addresses:
Racing Post
For those you who prefer a letter:
Bruce Millington
The Editor
Racing Post
One Canada Square
Canary Wharf
London E14 5AP
Subject line: ‘Justice for Punters’
Dear Mr Millington (or named journalist)
I assume you’re aware of the work of ‘Justice for Punters’?
I think it’s fair to say that this group of volunteers is having an
impact on how the bettor, punter, gambler, customer, whatever term you
wish to use will be treated in the future by gambling companies, e.g.
more fairly.
Their work has been influential in the setting up of the:
1. Competition and Market’s Authority’s investigation into unfair
terms and conditions being used by online gambling companies
2. Information Commission’s Office’s review of how gambling
companies process personal and e-device data that has sometimes been
collected illegally (as defined by the ICO in a case against SkyBet)
3. Development of a new Gambling Commission customer dispute process
Their work over the last 20-months has also led to customers receiving
over 435K that was being withheld from them unfairly by gambling
companies. It’s worth remembering that this support has been provided
for free.
As the editor (or “a journalist”) of the main newspaper for sports
betting I find it amazing that your newspaper and website has not
mentioned the work of this group of volunteers once. It would be
interesting to know why. There is no other group without any conflicts
of interest working on behalf of customers who bet on a wide variety of
sports, so why not consult with or mention them?
The stance of the Racing Post has been quite different to many other
major media outlets who regularly quote ‘Justice for Punters’ or
work with them directly on the development of articles and programmes,
e.g. the BBC, Guardian, Times, Press Association, Gaming Intelligence,
etc.
I look forward to reading your response. Thanking you in anticipation.
Yours sincerely,
Your name
Contact points you wish to divulge