[sch_peakoiler]

Hi Guys,

I wanted your take on the future of bookies in a depletion economy. We assume for the moment that there will be a decline of liquid fuels at some timepoint and that it will lead to reduced mobility (common peakoil perception) and overall inflation and price growth.

The question is the following. On one hand bookies are entertainment and one of the first things a consumer will consider to cut on a tight budget. On the other hand, common peakoil perception, if it holds true, tells us that other more fuel intensive entertainments like airtravel, long car vacations, car racing will be cut even before that. So I would tend to think that reduced mobility and lack of other entertainment could actually lead to increase in bookies business (social unrest, depression do go along with bookies, as the history shows).

That is why I am puzzled.
One factor = cutting entertainment spending.
Second factor = bookies are a low-end entertainment with a chance to remain.

Maybe you help me to weigh which of this factors will prevail? What do you think.

[sch_peakoiler]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Gideon', 'B')ar chart of the two factors . . .
ONE-XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
TWO-X
It's like saying, "there are two factors affecting how this hot air ballon will float. The first is the hot air, which is bouyant. The second is the enormous hole in the side."
When the SHTF and people can see bankruptcy on the horizon, can see neighbors getting forclosed on, are having trouble paying bills and cannot get further credit, then the only gamblers left will be the problem gamblers, and they will be spending less than usual.
I'd give you 5 to 1 I'm right about this.