Its not optional at all. Lyle can't opt to sign up for example.

Anyway, this cannot be done via paypal I don't think.

Well heres my view.
1) 147king talks of taking away fun and funky... that would only be true if the only available format was a cash game

2) Im not joking, there are some seriously talented and trained players on here. In any other game in the world, from poker to football to chess the best players recieve financial reward for their efforts, do the top players not want to at least have this option available to them?

3) I personally would avoid playing such games, as i mainly play for fun, but i dont see why it would cause such harm.

4) money play and free play modes co-exist in every poker website, and to be honest under 18s can always be found playing those even though it is technically illegal

5) i think some people need to take a step back and view trhis rationally for what it is, rather than simply objecting because they personally dont like it.

I have given a balanced view, and overall i think id like to see some form of cash games, maybe tournaments, leagues or just one off games, with the stakes and rewards set beforehand.

Isn't that what the forums are for though, to give a personal view on it, otherwise what's the point?

But my point is its somewhat irrelevant if people have moral objections to gambling, as it were, as the fact is it happens, and i believe there is a demand for cash online snooker games, so it will happen here or elsewhere

i dont agree with this idea, i agree with damee and mike

I could give a balanced view, but that wouldn't be me posting. I see no benefits in it, and allthough I wouldn't go as far as to say that I would leave, it would certainly not entice me to stay. More "moral" games could be put in place which would in my view be more beneficial to the site.

Yes we have had gambling adverts, nobody has said however that they agree with the gambling adverts, people have said that they are unfortunately there because funkysnooker has no say on what adverts are shown. Those who claim that funkysnooker has akways been linked to gambling are deluding themselves.

Now as for the so called "irrelevance" of the maral debate, I don't see it as irrelevant at all. People should quite rightly be able to object on the grounds that gambling on a site where kids play is wrong. That is not a side issue, the point of this thread was to see if there would be interest, not for us all to say we are interested.

I expect to be able to disagree, give my reasons without being called pessemistic. Pessimism has nothing what so ever to do with me disagreeing, I just don't like the idea.

Edited at 20:41 Sun 25/01/09 (GMT)

you seem to be entirely missing my point. yes i see you dont like the idea, yes you wouldn't use it, but the point is some others will like it and want to use it, and does it affect you in any way if they do? if so how? Come on be constructive in posting rather than just repeating

go back a page I clearly say that People will go away from the main site, meaning a lack of members, both old and new.

That affects me.

Right I will try to see the good points just for you :)

1) If people want it, they have the right to play it, and Nick has the right to supply it.

2) More revenue for the site.

okay good stuff. im still not sure that people will go from the main site... they may threaten to, but like with those that said they would leave when the big changes were brought in, like those who said they would leave facebook if it didnt go back to "old facebook" and like is always the case when change is brought about, people get used to it.

Perhaps the "gambling" section of the site could be colured purple, so it is obvious to parents, if they are taking a close interest, whether or not their offspring is gambling pocket money.

I really cant see why there would be a mass exodus from the site because those that want it are given an option to gamble.... i mean i've already wagered a couple of quid with someone whether or not i could cleared up (i was playing a friend) and im sure others have done similar

Also just because its not technically gambling, doesn't stop it from being addictive. "the one more try syndrome" still applies if it were a fruit machine, bookies bets, poker, bingo or snooker wagers.

double

why does that matter? if people want to gamble they will gamble, if not here, elsewhere

Well it matters to me. I don't want to be associated with a website that has an extra 10,000 members, all of which are gambling addicts. Why would you want to gamble online? You don't get the thrill of the casino, the buzz of the bookies, and its not a sociable outing neither. The only function of it would be to try and gain money.

If the gambling side of the site is bigger than the free side, then we have clear problems. No matter what is said, at present we have a family friendly webiste, or at least we had the notion of having a family friendly site, this will break that down, stamp on it, roll it up and spit on it. The whole thing smacks of gambling, and generally annoys me. And this is coming from somebody who loves to gamble and knows all the supposed "cheat codes" on the gambling machines.

Edited at 21:27 Sun 25/01/09 (GMT)

It's not just a case of only a couple of people mentioning it, but when it has been put forward in the past it has been given really negative replies.

Yes but Nick has never mentioned it in the past, that makes all the difference - sadly.

That's what I was going to add on the end, but didn't know exactly how to word it so left it out

haha no place for subtlety me

I've never had money on a snooker game, its to much of a gentlemen's game and I know most the folk down my local hall think the same.

I've only ever bet on pool, and frankly that's how I intend to keep it.

Thats exactly what optional means, you have the option not to sign up.

Everytime it has been mentioned in the past, it has been in the context of adding the possibility to play for cash to the existing sites.

This is something completely different, hence the different viewpoints being expressed.

Personally I agree, as I've stated many times before, that playing for cash, or indeed gambling, has no official (money games have always been played, but those are private arrangements between individuals) place on funkypool or funkysnooker.

However, what is being suggested is neither to be on either existing site, not will it be gambling (refer to the Gambling Act, 2005 for definitions) http://www.opsi.gov.uk/Acts/acts2005/ukpga_20050019_en_2#pt1-pb3-l1g11

So, please, bearing both of those facts in mind, not to mention the existing sites Terms of Service once again, try to keep the thread on topic.

definition of optional: possible but not necessary; left to personal choice

You are right that it isn't necessary, but it is not down to personal choice, or legally possible.

Cmon spin you can do better than that!

Edited at 00:09 Mon 26/01/09 (GMT)