EXCLUSIVE
By Hugh Dunnett, Crime Correspondent

Police have scrapped their trial of using Segways for town centre patrols after an officer veered out of control and crashed into Debenhams.

Officers had become a familiar sight zooming around Ipswich chasing petty criminals, or simply directing traffic from a high vantage point.

But while they could get from A to B faster, particularly through the town’s huge pedestrianised zones, some beat officers could not get used to driving a Segway – and top brass began to fear for public safety.

The Suffolk Police Segways will be retired after accidentsThree people had been knocked over by police Segways in just three weeks, but the final straw came on Saturday when a constable was chasing an alleged shoplifter down Tavern Street.

“He was closing in on the suspect,” police spokesperson Sgt Lorraine Fisher, 34, explained, “but then he had to swerve suddenly to avoid an elderly lady on a mobility scooter.

Segway control

“Sadly, this caused the officer to lose control, and he veered left and went straight through the Debenhams shop window. Luckily he was unhurt, although he was highly embarrassed.

“The Segways have now been retired, and are clearly not the future of policing that we had hoped for.”

The Segways, which had a little flashing blue light and a high-pitched siren, had been loaned to police by a local business, and are now being returned.

You’re going to struggle to find any Australian gambling aficionado who hasn’t played pokies. So if you’re interested in the etymology of the expression and the differences between pokies and slot machines, just read on to find out more!

Do Pokies and Slot Machines Differ?

If you have ever been to a gambling venue outside of Australia or engaged in gambling at an online casino that operates abroad, you might have noticed that they didn’t offer pokies. This doesn’t mean that they’re not featured in the selection of games available to you; it just means they have a different name! When you were playing slot games at such venues or websites, you probably wondered if there were actually some differences between slots and pokies. 

In this article, we’ll cover the issue defined in the title — do these two types of games differ in any way? And if so, how? You will see what pokies stand for and whether or not they refer to a wider range of games than slots. Essentially, this article is going to clarify why gaming machines in Australia and New Zealand are called pokies. After this, we’re going to thoroughly explain the concept of the game and its history, and give you some fun trivia regarding different names for the game.

Casino Game of Chance

Slot machines comprise a certain number of reels. They usually range between three and six, depending on the software provider. Online slots frequently feature one particular theme, and their symbols are designed accordingly. Oh, and speaking about symbols, wild and scatter are crucial! This is because they are always assigned the highest value. Wild icons substitute for the other ones, with the exception of scatters, whereas the latter unlock free spins; provided only that they appear in a sequence or in an otherwise predetermined position.

Slot games do essentially differ from other casino games, such as poker; since they do not require either skill or strategy. The concept of the game is based on chance, which is why it is a perfect pastime for those who enjoy gambling but who are not willing to put much effort into the learning process. Nevertheless, the games may also differ from one another, which is why you ought to always read the description of the one that interests you the most! Most importantly, make sure you choose an established casino, especially if you’re looking at online gaming.

Virtual Gambling vs. Land-Based Gambling

You may enjoy the atmosphere of a brick-and-mortar casino, and you might even prefer playing games in such surroundings, rather than online! Because after all, there’s something really amazing about the moment when the coins start pouring out of a slot machine. Alternately, you may prefer playing online pokies to physically spinning the reels and collecting your payouts. Whatever your preference may be, you do need to be aware of the similarities and differences that exist between a traditional slot machine and a virtual one. Although you may have already opted for the form of the game that suits you better, it won’t do any harm to get some additional information! 

Regulations

It is generally more difficult to engage in traditional gambling than the virtual form of the activity. In addition, the latter is far less legally restricted in comparison to its land-based counterpart. The United States is a perfect example, even though it is popular for its gambling venues in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Each state regulates gambling separately. As a result, the state of Nevada permits all forms of gambling, except for racetracks and lotteries. By contrast, New Jersey has restricted the activity, so that casino games are allowed only on the territory of Atlantic City.

However, Australia differs from America with regards to online casino slots. Slot machines are offered at pubs and clubs, in addition to being featured at casinos. Nevertheless, we don’t advise you to explore outside of the wide array of licensed venues out there. Following the gambling laws is essential if you want to actually profit from such activities!

Characteristics and Features

In order to achieve your goal of profiting from the pokies, you need to pay attention to certain details. The most important is the RTP (return to player) rate, as calculated in percentage terms. This represents your chances of winning, so do make sure it’s as high as possible! Furthermore, the progressive jackpot may well land you generous payouts, since the amount increases every time someone who plays for real money makes a deposit. Finally, free spins bonuses can prove to be a rather lucrative feature; so do make sure not to leave them out when you’re doing your research!

History and Etymology

Even though it is obvious that pokies are essentially Australian slot machines, the question posed in the title still requires an answer. Pokies are an Australian slang term for slot machines. But other than the geographical element that has caused this confusion, there are no real differences between pokies and slots. Both are available at land-based venues and on gambling websites, and both have the characteristics described above. The game may vary according to the number of reels and paylines, theme, and special features; but none of those things affects the name!

Play Slots, Enjoy Pokies

So, it turns out pokies and slot machines are two different names for the same game. Geography influences the English language to a significant degree, and gambling is no exception. And although the use of Australian terms has been limited to the Land Down Under so far, in the future it may spread further; so we may even come across pokies in Las Vegas!

Rescuing a dog can be a very rewarding experience. Sadly, many dogs still end up in rescue centres every year, for a multitude of different reasons. Some people find themselves in difficult circumstances and feel that it would not be fair to keep their dog with them, while others don’t think getting a dog through enough and end up in a situation that they can’t handle.

Either way, rescue dogs rely on people like you to take them from the shelter and provide them with a secure, loving forever home. Before you get a rescue dog, it’s worth spending some time thinking it through to make sure that it is the right decision for you and that you are in a position to give a rescue dog the best life. Here are some important factors to consider.

Why do you want a rescue dog?

First of all, ask yourself, why do you want a rescue dog? In fact, why do you want a dog? It’s important to understand that owning a dog is a huge commitment and definitely not something that you should decide on a whim. A dog will take up a huge part of your day, and over its lifetime can cost you thousands of pounds, so it’s important to make sure that this is something that you are ready for.

Do you want a dog for companionship? Because you want something to love? Because you have always had dogs, and feel lost without one? Do you want to give an animal a better chance in life? There’s no right or wrong reason to want a dog, but you do need to be sure it’s the right decision for you.

Have you got the time?

Dogs demand a lot of time and attention. They are not the type of pet that you can leave in another room and let them entertain themselves. Your dog will need walking at least once a day, depending on their breed, energy level, and temperament, and they will want to spend time with you in the day too. If you work long hours or are barely home, you should question whether or not a dog is for you. If you are not going to be home with your dog very often, can you provide an alternative for him, like a regular dog sitter, dog walker or doggy daycare facility?

Does your lifestyle fit?

Does your lifestyle fit in with owning a dog? Of course, this will depend on the type of dog that you rescue – a smaller, lower-energy breed will probably be fine with going for a short stroll around the park every day compared to a big, high-energy dog built for agility who would be better suited for an outdoorsy type person who spends a lot of time staying active. Carefully consider your lifestyle and think about how the dog is going to fit into it. Consider the best type of dog to match your lifestyle – rescue centres have a huge variety of dogs on offer, so there’s sure to be one that’s a good fit for you.

Can you afford it?

There’s no denying that having a dog can get expensive. On top of all the regular expenses like dog food, grooming, toys, accessories, training classes, dog walkers, dog sitting, pet insurance, and vet fees, you’ll also need to be financially prepared for any emergencies that might arise. Over the course of your dog’s lifetime, you could easily end up spending thousands of pounds on the basics alone; are you ready for that kind of financial commitment?

Providing stability

For most rescue dogs, the most important thing is that you are able to provide them with the stability and security that they have not had so far. Many rescue dogs have already been through a lot, and they need somebody who is patient and committed to them for the rest of their lives. You will need to be ready to commit to offering a stable environment for your rescue dog, which could include anything from being willing to buy the same food that they’ve been used to so far to continuing any specialised training or healthcare treatments that they have been undergoing.

Your dog’s health and wellbeing

Any good pet parent is first and foremost concerned with the health and wellbeing of their dog. When you rescue a dog, you will need to be willing to do the best thing in terms of their health and wellbeing, often at any cost. This could mean switching to a raw food diet if they develop a food allergy or you notice any other dietary symptoms such as a dull coat, itchiness, or lethargy. Switching to a raw food diet is easier than ever for any dog, with dog food delivery from Bella and Duke. This supplier delivers pre-made, pre-packaged nutritious raw dog food meals that are tailored to ensure that your dog is getting all the nutrients that they need from their diet.

Behavioural issues

It is a common misconception that all rescue dogs will have behavioural problems, and this is one of the main reasons why so many great dogs go without new homes for so long. The truth is that while some rescue dogs, particularly those who have been mistreated in the past or have been a stray, might take longer to acclimatise to their new lives, many rescue dogs are actually well-trained, well-behaved pooches who have simply fallen on hard times. However, that being said, if you take on a rescue dog you should also be prepared to take on any behavioural issues that might only become apparent when they move into their new home. You will need to be prepared to be extremely patient and ready to invest in training and support to help your pooch adjust if needed.

Type of dog

If you want to get a rescue dog, then it’s time to put aside your prejudices against certain dog breeds, if you have any. For example, it’s a common misconception that Pit Bull Terriers are vicious dogs, and many of them end up in rescue centres for this reason – when really, most of them are big softies at heart. Remember that any dog can be aggressive if they have been mistreated in the past, and it’s really down to the humans around them and how they treat them. Regardless of the breed of dog that you go for, it’s worth getting a full picture of their history and learning as much as possible about them before you bring them home.

Choosing a dog

If you have been through all of the above and are still set on getting a rescue dog, then it’s time to go and choose the newest member of your family. The best option is to set up a visit to the rescue centre in person rather than simply looking online since chances are, your dog is going to choose you. A good rescue centre will charge a fee to make sure that the dog is neutered or spayed, vaccinated, and given worm and flea treatment before coming to you, and they will check your home to ensure that it is suitable first. You should provide a secure garden for your dog – this is usually a prerequisite for adoption.

Getting a rescue dog can be extremely rewarding, but it’s important to be ready for the commitment. Remember, many rescue dogs have had trauma in their lives, so be prepared to take on a dog with a few issues.