Job/Life talk by Mike Wiseman

20th October 2022 Job/Life Talk – Mike Wiseman

Mike started with his age at 82, explaining that he was born in Gorleston on Sea Norfolk, where he was ‘brought up’ by his Grandma.  So when he got to 16 at Yarmouth Grammar school, it was necessary for him to get a job. As he had a couple of mates they decided to go to London to become Police cadets, telling him how great it was, so he applied and joined them. He explained that they got luncheon vouchers, which if you saved them over the week by Friday it was 2 eggs, chips and beans!

He was based in Hackney, somewhat different to Yarmouth and when he went to hear a court case about a drunken man riding a horse, he learnt some new expletive language!! Having expanded his knowledge of the law, in 1961 he returned to Gorleston, but based in Norwich city staying for 10 years, progressing from uniform to CID, Drugs moving on to Yarmouth as a Sergeant. He related a number of stories of the characters he came across in the Tower Casino: ‘Red Eye’ was a man that worked on the oil rigs and was hooked on Poker, which was run by the Greeks and they set him up with a bottle of Canada Club and picked up his fast amounts of his earnings.  Apparently he had this exotic watch, and when he ran out of money he pawned this to the Greeks, then bought it back on his next visit! Another character called ‘Big 6’ played the ‘craps’ (dice for the uninitiated). They sent Mike on a CID course about betting and gambling and he was promoted again to Inspector returning to Norwich and the Vice Squad! Quite an experience, learning from the ’girls’ some of their experiences: one punter happy to watch her take her clothes off and brush her hair, another wafting a hair dryer at a plastic daffodil strategically placed!?

Betting and Gaming were a fascination for him and he volunteered for an 8 week course in Manchester.  Covering law in the morning, playing machines in the afternoon and combined with visits to casino’s and clubs in the area.

He always then liaised with the local Gaming Board Inspector, but having got his 32 years in decided to retire from the force, but there were jobs coming up all over the country with the 1968 Gaming act, which was Draconian. But he applied and was successful in getting an Inspectors job in Nottingham.  The new legislation reduced the number of Casinos from 400 to 121 with a turnover of £2m p.a., 68% of which was in London.  He cited that a Casino required £660000 gaming reserve and £40000 for a licence, hoping to get about 12% return.  Staff had to be vetted for character and any transgression, you were OUT, without appeal.

He mentioned the ‘big rollers’ as The Sultan of Brunei and Kerry Packer.  But Mike decide it was time tom retire when attaining 65, but a 36 year old new guy on the scene asked Mike to be his ‘Compliance Officer’, which he did for a further 13 years.  In 2005 a new Gaming act came in allowing tipping, advertising (football shirts), which changed the face of gambling to what it is today.

He conclude by saying he like walking, watching the Leicester Tigers and didn’t mind the odd small bet himself, setting himself a target of trying to win £1000, which he managed!

President Rob thanked Mike for his very entertaining talk which had captivated the members, whom he asked to join him to thank Mike in the normal manner.                               AR