Muir of Ord gambler angry after ban from Ross-shire venue where he twice hit jackpot
A Muir of Ord man who won twice on the 'bandit' machines in the space of a week is angry after being barred from the venue where he twice hit the jackpot.
Alex Burton (50), who works as a barman himself, says he has been banned from the 147 Snooker and Pool Club in Dingwall.
The father of two grown-up children, says he likes to spend one day a fortnight indulging himself in a few pints and putting up to £50 into the machines.
Aware of the pitfalls, he said: "Gambling machines are called 'bandits' for a reason - there is no way you are keeping the money."
He said: "Over the years I have put a fair amount of money into local machines, and I have not regretted it. I have won a fair bit as well - that is the luck of the draw. Last week was the first time I was in Dingwall at the pub since March as I have been shielding in the lockdown. It was great to be back."
He said: "Sometimes I come home with my tail between my legs, but it is a great day out in Dingwall.Many times I have lost money on the machines - and you take the rough with the smooth. So I was delighted that on August 8, and again on the 15th that I won. What happens is that you put notes in, and winnings come out as coins."
It was when Mr Burton asked the owner of the 147 Snooker and Pool Club in Dingwall to exchange the coins that he won the second time that trouble ensued. He said: "I had put in £50 in notes in and I won £55 - so really I had won £5. I had won the jackpot the weekend before so this was two weekends in a row that I 'won'. After asking him to exchange the coins the owner told me I was barred and that I was not to come back.
"I was accused of having a gambling device that allowed me to win. Well, since I was accused of it, I have looked them up and they cost upwards of £800 - I would never want one, and I could never afford one.
"It is completely unfair."
A number of attempts were made to contact the 147 Snooker and Pool Club but at the time of going to press, it had not responded.
