Rob Davies
@byrobdavies.bsky.social
Guardian reporter.
DM me with tips or for Signal/Protonmail/PGP (NO PR PITCHES)
Spurs fan (mute #thfc #coys to avoid).
Author of Jackpot: How Gambling Conquered Britain.
DM me with tips or for Signal/Protonmail/PGP (NO PR PITCHES)
Spurs fan (mute #thfc #coys to avoid).
Author of Jackpot: How Gambling Conquered Britain.
As a gloomy Spurs fan, you have to say thank heaven for West Ham.
January 6, 2026 at 10:03 PM
As a gloomy Spurs fan, you have to say thank heaven for West Ham.
Picked a brilliant day to stay home from the office and get some windows replaced.
January 6, 2026 at 9:03 AM
Picked a brilliant day to stay home from the office and get some windows replaced.
Reposted by Rob Davies
FT 0-0. I really hope that is the worst football match that takes place in 2026, in any league, at any level. If there's anything worse than that, something's gone wrong.
January 1, 2026 at 9:53 PM
FT 0-0. I really hope that is the worst football match that takes place in 2026, in any league, at any level. If there's anything worse than that, something's gone wrong.
Sadiq Khan pledged to ban gambling ads on London transport but says he can't unless central government completes a review of whether ads are harmful.
But there is no govt review taking place so...the stalemate continues. Meanwhile the number of gambling ads is soaring.
But there is no govt review taking place so...the stalemate continues. Meanwhile the number of gambling ads is soaring.
Gambling firms spent nearly £5m to advertise on TfL since London mayor’s ban pledge
Sadiq Khan’s office blames delay on lack of government guidance on links between gambling ads and harm
www.theguardian.com
December 30, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Sadiq Khan pledged to ban gambling ads on London transport but says he can't unless central government completes a review of whether ads are harmful.
But there is no govt review taking place so...the stalemate continues. Meanwhile the number of gambling ads is soaring.
But there is no govt review taking place so...the stalemate continues. Meanwhile the number of gambling ads is soaring.
"You know, when I walk into a dance the bouncers don't frisk me. They salute me. You know why? Because I'm a Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire."
December 29, 2025 at 10:53 PM
"You know, when I walk into a dance the bouncers don't frisk me. They salute me. You know why? Because I'm a Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire."
Any publicans/hospitality folk who follow me on here...
Looking for examples of what you're doing to offset higher costs, including from business rates.
Could be "good" things (new events, changing foods offering etc) or obviously bad, like cutting hours/staff.
DM me!
Looking for examples of what you're doing to offset higher costs, including from business rates.
Could be "good" things (new events, changing foods offering etc) or obviously bad, like cutting hours/staff.
DM me!
December 29, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Any publicans/hospitality folk who follow me on here...
Looking for examples of what you're doing to offset higher costs, including from business rates.
Could be "good" things (new events, changing foods offering etc) or obviously bad, like cutting hours/staff.
DM me!
Looking for examples of what you're doing to offset higher costs, including from business rates.
Could be "good" things (new events, changing foods offering etc) or obviously bad, like cutting hours/staff.
DM me!
How do I tell my boss I need to go down to a four-day week to spend more time playing with my 3yo daughter's new Brio train set?
December 27, 2025 at 10:45 AM
How do I tell my boss I need to go down to a four-day week to spend more time playing with my 3yo daughter's new Brio train set?
Earlier this year I bought a camera trap so I could figure out where foxes were getting into the garden. 8yo son, sceptical of Father Christmas, has borrowed it for tonight.
So...obviously I've now bought a Santa outfit. Your move, boy.
So...obviously I've now bought a Santa outfit. Your move, boy.
December 24, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Earlier this year I bought a camera trap so I could figure out where foxes were getting into the garden. 8yo son, sceptical of Father Christmas, has borrowed it for tonight.
So...obviously I've now bought a Santa outfit. Your move, boy.
So...obviously I've now bought a Santa outfit. Your move, boy.
Reposted by Rob Davies
It's the moooost wonderful tiiiiime of the yeeeeear!
December 23, 2025 at 7:46 AM
It's the moooost wonderful tiiiiime of the yeeeeear!
We've all signed for a parcel on behalf of someone else but this takes it a bit far.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Former Yodel owner probably forged mother’s signature in takeover bid, judge rules
‘Extraordinary’ high court ruling covers Jacob Corlett’s attempt to seize back control of parcel delivery firm
www.theguardian.com
December 19, 2025 at 2:58 PM
We've all signed for a parcel on behalf of someone else but this takes it a bit far.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Many thanks to Ollie's family for telling his story to warn others.
Covering the gambling sector, I've met so many people who have refused to be victims, instead channelling their grief into something positive. It's very uplifting.
Covering the gambling sector, I've met so many people who have refused to be victims, instead channelling their grief into something positive. It's very uplifting.
‘It’s shattered our family’: how illicit offshore bookies exploit struggling gamblers who are trying to quit
International network appears designed to profit from gamblers who have signed up with UK self-exclusion scheme GamStop
www.theguardian.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Many thanks to Ollie's family for telling his story to warn others.
Covering the gambling sector, I've met so many people who have refused to be victims, instead channelling their grief into something positive. It's very uplifting.
Covering the gambling sector, I've met so many people who have refused to be victims, instead channelling their grief into something positive. It's very uplifting.
Reposted by Rob Davies
I'm a recovering addict, not gambled in 5 years but still get "not on gamstop" texts every day. Although my life was completely destroyed by regulated bookmakers, they don't behave much better they just pay the odd fine (none of which goes to the lives they destroy) so hard to sympathise with them
December 17, 2025 at 2:04 PM
I'm a recovering addict, not gambled in 5 years but still get "not on gamstop" texts every day. Although my life was completely destroyed by regulated bookmakers, they don't behave much better they just pay the odd fine (none of which goes to the lives they destroy) so hard to sympathise with them
Reposted by Rob Davies
UK will transfer £2.5bn of Abramovich cash to Ukraine fund, Starmer says
UK will transfer £2.5bn of Abramovich cash to Ukraine fund, Starmer says
Prime minister says oligarch must commit funds from sale of London football club or face court action
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The UK will formally issue instructions to transfer £2.5bn from Roman Abramovich’s sale of Chelsea FC to humanitarian causes in Ukraine, telling the billionaire to commit the funds or face court action.
Keir Starmer told the House of Commons the funds from the oligarch, who is subject to UK sanctions, would be converted in to a new foundation for Ukraine and that the issuing of a licence for the transfer was the last chance Abramovich would have to comply before legal action was taken. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
December 17, 2025 at 12:26 PM
UK will transfer £2.5bn of Abramovich cash to Ukraine fund, Starmer says
This was an extraordinary, spine-tingling moment, recognising fearless and crucial journalism. I don't think I've ever seen a standing ovation like that at a journalism awards do.
Huge congratulations to The Guardian’s former Gaza correspondent Malak A Tantesh, recognised for her work with the Marie Colvin Award at the British Journalism Awards 2025 #BJA2025
December 12, 2025 at 9:39 AM
This was an extraordinary, spine-tingling moment, recognising fearless and crucial journalism. I don't think I've ever seen a standing ovation like that at a journalism awards do.
Or there's always Sole Man by Salmon Dave.
If you can't do song and artist, don't play IMO.
If you can't do song and artist, don't play IMO.
Lings can only get battered by B:REAM
Fishify a song
Cod Made Me (Smell) Funky
Cod Made Me (Smell) Funky
December 11, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Or there's always Sole Man by Salmon Dave.
If you can't do song and artist, don't play IMO.
If you can't do song and artist, don't play IMO.
Lings can only get battered by B:REAM
Fishify a song
Cod Made Me (Smell) Funky
Cod Made Me (Smell) Funky
Fishify a song
O magnum mysterium, et admirabile sacramentum, ut pisces viderent dominum natum...
O magnum mysterium, et admirabile sacramentum, ut pisces viderent dominum natum...
December 11, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Lings can only get battered by B:REAM
Reposted by Rob Davies
Looking to speak to anyone who has had trouble finding Pokemon cards to buy for kids at Christmas. Have you had to resort to auction sites where the prices are jacked up?
December 11, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Looking to speak to anyone who has had trouble finding Pokemon cards to buy for kids at Christmas. Have you had to resort to auction sites where the prices are jacked up?