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Books that discuss the predatory gambling mechanics in games

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Books that discuss the predatory gambling mechanics in games

How frequently do you visit your favorite live dealer online casino UK? Do you do it as a mere recreation activity? If yes, that’s okay. However, it’s worth noting some people can’t control the urge to gamble. Thus, they do it continuously, despite the negative consequences it carries.

Understanding gambling mechanics

Gambling mechanics refers to a predatory situation where people spend lots of money at the slightest opportunity of winning rewards.

For instance, mobile games usually use gambling mechanics like slots, roulette wheels, and lotteries. Unfortunately, these games are nowadays accessible to anyone who owns a smartphone, including children. A single click of a button is enough to initiate the spin of an online roulette while relaxed at home.

Books on gambling mechanics

Whether you’re trying to stop a gambling habit or want to up your knowledge on the gambling mechanic subject, here are three books worth your time.

Addiction by Design: Machine Gambling in Las Vegas, by Natasha Dow Schull

Machine gaming is a distinct realm that few outsiders can comprehend. When gambling on slots, gamblers enter a “machine zone,” where the goal is to keep playing as much as possible rather than win. The result is that these players suffer both from financial and physical strain.

This book is ideal for those who yearn to learn more about the workings of the gambling industry, as well as the gambling addiction cycle.

Nicotine Dreams: A Story of Compulsive Gambling, by Katie Cunningham

Katie Cunningham published a dramatized description of her gambling issues to help others with a similar problem.

The main character of the story is Kim. Her vices at the start of the story include shopping, cigarettes, and the stock market. When a casino opens near her residence, she, unfortunately, develops a gambling addiction. Her desire to play power machines and slots grow to the extent that she is willing to sacrifice everything to continue.

Born to Lose: Memoirs of a Compulsive Gambler, By Bill Lee

Bill Lee, a Chinese-American who grew in San Francisco, discusses his 40-year problem with gambling in the memoir – Born To Lose.  He started gambling while in 3rd grade when he lost his baseball card collection. This persisted throughout his life until he lost all he possessed at blackjack tables in Las Vegas. His self-esteem was built on winning, and he grew obsessed with money, with losses reinforcing his feelings of triviality and fueling his desire to succeed.

Born to Lose is ideal for anyone looking for an inspirational story about overcoming gambling addiction, rising from the bottom and rebranding oneself. Just like an organization does (https://www.thelogocreative.co.uk/internal-vs-external-brand/), it’s equally important for individuals to rebrand themselves after overcoming a disorder such as gambling.

And that’s it. We hope these three books will be as helpful as possible.

1994 Toyota Camry now due its first service

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1994 Toyota Camry now due its first service
Lorraine Fisher’s reliable 1994 Toyota Camry (Photo: M.rJirapat CC)

A Suffolk motorist has been contacted by her local dealership because her trusty 1994 Toyota Camry is now due its first service.

At 27 years old, and with 436,000 miles on the clock, it will be the first real expense the car has ever required.

Owner Lorraine Fisher, 34, got the motor from her father when she was 20, and he had enjoyed it since new.

“It’s never so much as sneezed in that time,” explained Lorraine, from Ipswich. “Toyota Camrys are well known for their reliability but our car has gone above and beyond.

“I remember taking trips in it to Cornwall when my father first had it.

“Now it is used every day on the school run and as a reliable and cheap runaround.

“It was a shock to get the message that it now needed a service. I haven’t put any oil in it since I got it, and I’m not sure dad did before that, so it’s probably due some attention.”

Toyota UK said: “Our cars are bullet-proof. We are sorry to inconvenience Ms Fisher with her first service, but even Camrys need some general maintenance every now and again.

“Even those that are 27 years old.”

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Artisan bakery called In-Bread launched in Norfolk

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Artisan bakery called In-Bread launched in Norfolk
In-Bread, artisan Norwich bakery

By Ian Bred, Norfolk Correspondent

A trendy new artisan bakery called In-Bread has opened in Norwich.

The fashionable eatery is keeping its tasty loaf recipe close to its chest, however.

“We’re keeping it in the family,” explained owner Bubba Spuckler, 37.

Bubba, who lives in Downham Market with his sister and their eight children, opened In-Bread with his brother Billy-Bob.

The baker specialises in family loaves, flowery baps and its famed Auntie’s Bloomers and Mama’s Muffin.

Bubba said: “I’ve been getting my hands dirty with Auntie’s Bloomers for years, and have become something of an expert.

“They need very careful handling, but once moist enough you can get exciting results.

“We like it in the family, so setting up In-Bread was a logical step to making some money.”

In-Bread is a little more expensive than more traditional local bakers – owing to its mystery yeast, which Bubba refused to elaborate upon.

Food expert Lorraine Fisher, 34, said: “In-Bread is very popular in Norfolk. But it’s something of an acquired taste and may not travel well out of the county.”

The bakery, in St Stephen’s Street, is already pulling in thousands of pounds a week and is expected to be a Norfolk success story – much like the six-fingered glove factory down the road.

Norwich, which recently twinned with itself, is enjoying an explosion of independent, family-run businesses, according to local expert David Finlay.

Meanwhile, in sports news, two Norwich City players have now served their bans for a controversial high-six goal celebration.

A day in the life of a British football player

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A day in the life of a British football player

Many people dream of becoming professional sports players. There are many jobs in the entertainment industry, from football to online casino, but few can match the renown associated with top-tier sports competition. One of the most desired of these professions is undoubtedly that of a football star.

One could easily assume that top-flight footballers live in the lap of luxury, but what’s behind the sports cars and multi-million pound contracts? You may be surprised at just how demanding a football career can be. Soccer stars have to be fiercely dedicated to their profession, and they have to maintain peak physical and mental strength. So what exactly does an average day for a pro entail? It’s not just glitz and glamour, that much we can be certain of. Read on to explore a typical day in the life of an English football player.

Morning

Get out of bed, brush your teeth, jump in the shower, and get a healthy breakfast. That’s the morning routine for most people, and you’ll be glad to know that football stars get up just like the rest of us. However, what you may not know is that football, like most regular jobs, requires regular attendance in terms of work hours, and perhaps more in daily dedication requirements.

Before the start of any training, professional teams usually outfit their players with numerous tracking technologies. These devices are monitored throughout the day. Player data is tracked in various metrics such as distance traveled, heart rate, metabolic rate, and more. Coaches know every movement a player makes, and the slightest drop in performance will be noticed instantly.

Most football clubs begin their schedules at around 8AM. Following a few screening tests and some routine admin, players will begin their pre-training. Pre-training involves a personalised workout routine. Each player’s unique routine is formulated by coaching staff and health experts. After they’ve hit the gym for a good workout, players receive physiotherapy to ensure that their muscles stay warm and flexible.

Once the physio session is complete players begin their preactivation workout. Preactivation, otherwise known as warming up, is performed to prepare for the intensity of full-team practice sessions. Team sessions involve different exercises on different days. For example, one day could be open-ended 3v3 practice, while another day could focus on drills and passing. Every club has its own routine involving a wide range of activities.

Once team training is complete, players once again focus on individual training. Some players perform free kicks and shooting practice, while others might focus on defensive drills. Goalkeepers work on penalty-saving and spot kicks. Though the majority of training is done individually, all activities are performed for the benefit of the team as a whole.

Afternoon

Training is usually finished by midday, whereafter players will go for lunch. Calories are monitored along with all other metrics, and players have to ensure that they eat well and look after their health. A footballers diet is tailored by nutrition experts, and involves a balanced diet of superfoods, protein and carbs. Some clubs go as far as banning certain types of food, all in the hopes of maxing out performance gains.

After lunch it’s time for statistics. Once all their biometric data is analyzed, players receive a daily debriefing on their performance. They are told what to improve and in which areas they should focus their attention. It’s convenient to have an advisor for so many aspects of life, but it’s also a sacrifice of individual freedom.

Debriefing is followed by recovery. Recovery involves mobility exercises, cryotherapy (or ice baths), and stretching out. Some players prefer cryotherapy, while others avoid it like the plague. Players are free to do their own recovery routine, provided they do it effectively. If a player decides to skip recovery, chances are that will cause a dip in performance. That dip will definitely impact subsequent training, and again, coaches will immediately notice any change in performance.

A footballer has to face perpetual worry about physical injury: the slightest accident can end careers in a heartbeat. Potential injuries are monitored closely, and coaching staff would rather let a player sit out of training if their risk of injury is high. Injured players get tailored workouts too, but cannot participate in team exercises until they’ve fully recovered.

Night

Most players spend their downtime in relaxation. Contrary to what many assume, constant partying isn’t normal for most football stars. Night after night of drinking and debauchery impacts performance negatively. Though some players do enjoy clubbing often, most will spend their free time doing regular activities, like playing some video games or spending time with family.

Players have endorsements and sponsorship deals that require their time, and there are always events and award ceremonies to attend. Many English footballers are celebrities, and their personal lives aren’t as private as your average citizen. Publicity demands an element of vanity, and players can hardly be blamed for the attention given to them by press and media outlets.

Footballers are regular folk who use determination and willpower to succeed. Natural talent is of course a deciding influence. However, it’s been shown that with enough practice, anyone can potentially become a professional athlete. All it takes is thousands of hours of practice from a very young age, with no gaps in progress. No pressure.

We mentioned earlier that a sports career can be more demanding in terms of daily dedication. That’s because everything from diet to downtime affects performance. When performing at the highest level of any sport, 24/7 dedication to success is a requirement, not a choice. Not many people can handle that kind of pressure, let alone the stress of performing well on match day.

Best home renovation hacks to create magical living spaces

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Best home renovation hacks to create magical living spaces

If your home is in dire need of an upgrade, you don’t have to wait to save money for an overhaul. There are a number of home improvement hacks that can really transform your house into an abode of luxury, even if your budget is limited.

These simple renovation hacks for the home are not only simple to implement, but they can make your living space look magical without having to dip frequently in your bank account.

Add a tile backsplash

One of the easiest DIY home improvement project which has a lot of visual impact can be achieved by adding a tile backsplash to the house. This can either be done in the kitchen or bathroom by using the right tools and some patience. You can get a good deal on the tiles online or look for a sale in your neighborhood hardware store.

Create an accent wall

This is another cheap and enjoyable home improvement project that you would wish you had incorporated earlier. Instead of spending money on wallpaper, you can turn your dull walls into a place of art by painting stripes on it. Choose colors that are light to create an attractive effect. To further dress up the room, hang some pieces of art on the wall.

Install gutter guards

Clogged gutters can play havoc with home and cause damage to the surrounding structure. Apart from trying to clean them regularly, which is quite time consuming, try installing gutter guards instead. These days a micromesh gutter system with leaf filters will prevent even the tiniest of debris from getting inside your gutter and exclude cleaning from the work-to-do list.

Style the place with rugs

Rugs and carpets have been around for ages because they can really uplift the look of any room. They need not be very expensive and are an easy way to give a lux feel to the house. Moreover, the best part is that carpets can be changed whenever needed to change the look of the interiors from time to time. To impart individuality to a space, choose carpets of different sizes and styles to create the ultimate three dimensional effect without having to use professional advice.

Replace the old faucets

Old and outdated tapware can bring the kitchen, and as a result the entire house, down on its knees.Just by changing the taps in the kitchen and bathroom can have the maximum effect with minimal effort and ease. This simple renovation hack will make your space chic and modern looking in no time at all.

Update the bathroom cabinets

You don’t have to splash your cash on new cabinets for the bathroom if you can’t afford it.In fact, if your cabinets are in working order, there is no need for replacement either.Sure, they may look drab with constant use, but you can easily give them a facelift just by applying a fresh coat of paint and installing new drawer pulls to make your bathroom look brand new.

Add mirrors

Adding mirrors to a space is a great way of making it look bigger than it is. Apart from creating this illusion, mirrors add light to a room. While a simple colored frame will give a bold look, you can opt for a gold frame to add opulence to the room. In case your dreams of extending the dining or living room are being hindered due to a tight budget, mirrors are an affordable and simple alternative.

Give the furniture a makeover

While everyone liked to have new furniture in the house on their wishlist, there are ways to transform the old furniture into stylish new pieces without crying over a drained bank account. Applying a coat of paint to reupholstering and putting new handles on the drawers, there are umpteen ways to give your old furniture a classy new look.

Replace the light fixtures

Chances are that your elaborate lights installed years ago have been collecting bugs and dust since then. Replacing these decade old monstrosities can give the home an uplift instantly. You can either go for simple modern covers or juggle with different pendant styles to give a funky appearance.The changed fixtures can be kept aside for future use.

Install floating shelves

This is without doubt the easiest and cheapest makeover which can add style and make a room look functional. Installing floating shelves is a wonderful way to display toys in the nursery or show family portraits in the living room. Moreover, these types of shelves are light in weight, are easy to mount and finish and in return give more space for storage to the room. The perfect hack to turn your home into the ultimate well-organized place, the you want it to be.

Burning cash is now the cheapest way to heat your home

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Burning cash is now the cheapest way to heat your home
burning cash

Inflation and rising gas prices mean burning piles of cash is the cheapest way to heat your home.

Money-saving experts say you should withdraw your cash from the bank and take it home in a wheelbarrow.

Then begin burning it in the fireplace to make your home toasty warm.

Home finance expert Lorraine Fisher, 34, said: “Gas is now in short supply and the prices will soon be unaffordable anyway.

“With rising inflation, your cash savings are increasingly worthless, so save yourself some bother and keep warm by burning it.”

What is franchising? Everything you need to know about franchises

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What is franchising? Everything you need to know about franchises

If you’ve always dreamed of becoming your own boss, joining a franchise is a fantastic way to launch a business with plenty of security and support. However, unless you have previous experience running businesses, running a franchise will be unlike any role you’ve held before, and it’s vital you understand as much about the process as possible. Our guide will provide you with everything you need to know before you become a franchisee.

What is franchising?

A franchise is a method of distributing services or products which involves the franchisor, who establishes the brand and business model, and the franchisee, who buys into the franchise for the right to do business under the franchisor’s name and system.

Franchises to suit every investment

There is a vast range of franchises in every industry to suit every budding franchisee, with more putting opportunities on the market every day, which will make it easier for you to find the ideal franchise. When doing research to find the perfect franchise to suit your requirements, be sure to check out the fantastic range of opportunities over at Franchise Local.

Running A Franchise Requires Hard Work

Successful franchise businesses don’t spring up overnight; franchisors offer invaluable advice and help to get you up and running, but launching and maintaining your business will require hard work. You won’t be going at it alone, though, as you’ll be able to rely on the years of experience and support in business management from the franchisor every step of the way, no matter how long you’ve been running your franchise. Ultimately, the success of your franchise relies on your hard work and the time you put into the business as it would with any type of company. 

Funding to cover running costs

When you first start your franchise, you will need to ensure that you have the appropriate funding to cover the running costs until your business begins to make a profit. Once you begin making a profit, it is vital that you create an emergency fund to cover any unexpected costs that may arise as you would with any start-up business. 

Don’t forget the marketing fees

Most franchisees are already aware that they’ll need to pay a franchise fee as well as ongoing royalties after the initial set-up fee. However, many people interested in becoming a franchise are unaware that they will be required to pay a regular marketing fee. Typically, this fee is a percentage of your franchise’s gross sales, and it will be used to cover the franchisors nationwide marketing campaigns. 

As well as the marketing fee, you will need to pay for marketing in your local area to ensure that potential customers are engaging with your business. Paying for adverts is a great start to any local advertising campaign, but you could also introduce discounts, competitions, donate prizes to charity events, or sponsor a local sports team in order to get your franchise at the forefront of everyone’s mind. 

Inspect the franchise agreement

It is vital that you thoroughly inspect the franchise agreement before you sign it; this is to ensure you are aware of every clause that may be present. Since the pandemic, franchisees are more aware of the need to protect themselves in the event of other extraordinary circumstances affecting business. A clause called the force majeure changed the franchisee’s obligations in the event of these circumstances and can be invoked to stop paying fees for a certain amount of time in order to maintain the business in extenuating circumstances. 

5 ways IVA can help you beat your debt

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5 ways IVA can help you beat your debt
Beat your debt

Debt is one of the important things that shape the lives of people. There are several reasons why a debt plan can improve or lower a person’s life quality. For example, students find it way easier to pay their educational expenses with a debt plan.

But a problem with debt plans is that they can also become disastrous too. People might spend their entire lives paying off their debt payments. Therefore, you have to find out the right way of repaying your debt, so you can enjoy your financial freedom once again.

An IVA plan is one of the best ways of beating your debt. It allows you to enter an agreement with your debt provider. Many people consider a debt plan to be very helpful for repaying the debt. Keep reading this article as we are going to share with you the five benefits of an IVA plan!

1.      A payment you can afford

Many people have the problem of paying the debt installments because the amount keeps changing in some cases. But what if you could pay a fixed amount every single month to your debt provider? An IVA plan allows you to repay your debt in fixed installments; you can find out more about how it works in detail, but here is a basic overview.

The fixed payment plan of an IVA enables you to pay your monthly expenses. You can set aside the money you have to pay, so you have more freedom of enjoying your personal life.

2.      The end date is fixed

Most debt plans come with repayment cycles that are not fixed. You may take more time than you thought initially to free yourself from the debt, and therefore, you might get stuck in the loop of paying your money back.

But the good thing about an IVA plan is that you have to pay your money back over a fixed period. The normal duration of an IVA plan is about six years, and you can repay the money in a predetermined duration, so you can plan your life easily.

3.      Trustable legal agreement

One of the reasons why people are afraid of a debt plan is the fear of debt providers. Your debt provider might end up taking everything from you if you default on your debt. You have to secure yourself from the debt provider so they can’t take money from you forcefully.

The best thing about an IVA plan is that it helps you secure yourself from debt providers. When they enter a legal agreement with you, you don’t have to worry about your assets, and they will have to wait for a fixed period until you can repay your money.

4.      Everything is discreet

An IVA plan is a discreet plan that keeps your information safe from other people. You don’t have to worry about sharing your details with other financial institutions, and all you have to do is share your information online on the Insolvency Register. The IVA plan allows you to repay your debt without sharing your information with several other financial institutions.

5.      Best for directors of limited companies

Sometimes repaying the debt becomes a problem for the directors of limited companies. They have a hard time getting rid of the debt, and if they fail to repay their debt, they might be advised by the company to leave their position.

The good thing about an IVA plan is that it’s best for the Directors. They can repay all their debt amount without having to resign their post, and otherwise, they will have to leave their position as a director.

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