A weekly programme which focuses on people and the situations which shape their lives
Reporters Jim Douglas Henry, Jeremy James, Jeanne La Chard, John Pitman, Gillian Strickland, Desmond Wilcox, Harold Williamson

This week: Bookies Never Lose?
But now they say they can't do anything else. Legalised - but taxed to the hilt. Out in the open - but going broke
When the Government brought betting shops into all our lives it wasn't too long before they began to squeeze extra revenue from the men who quote the odds - £53 million last year. And today yet another tax comes into effect. It may be difficult for the punter to sympathise with the men who, tradition says, are the only real winners in the racing business. But the bookies are shouting not about horses, but about killing the goose that lays the golden egg. Many smaller bookies talk now about bankruptcy. But critics say they're only crying all the way to the bank. Are the odds now against the bookies? Who'll be tomorrow's winner?
(Colour)