Does anyone have any gambling problem stories either about yourself or someone you know?

Question

I would like to hear anything about the problem, how it started and how it affected people around them. I have a problem with an in-law. I am willing to tell my story by email and any advise will be GREATLY appreciated.

Answer 1

I have had problems with it.

I was able to quit for 5 years 9 months, but I've started back up again.

I've been able to control the amounts, but my mind thinks about it WAY too much still.

You can email me if you want, but I'd suggest that your friend go to Gambler's Anonymous if he really wants help. If you think he has a problem, but he thinks he doesn't, then it would be hard to convince him. You may need to do an intervention.

Good luck,

Clay

Answer 2

You asked for it; here it is.  (big sigh)

I got caught up in that #*%#@ when I was 21.  I'm 35 now, and still can't quit.

Over the last 4 years, I've lost $50,000.

That's not an estimate, every time I went to a casino, I logged the wins and losses, so I can do my taxes.

I guess that if I had never stepped foot inside of a casino, I'd be sitting on about $300,000 cash and/or stock investments right now.

I'm single, been making about $70-75K for the last 8 years, but I'm sitting on about $35,000 in credit card debts and no emergency fund.  

The only reason I don't have more debt is because the credit card companies have all turned down my application for a fourth credit card, and all my credit limit requests have been denied this past 2 years.

I lost my job (not due to the gambling, but because the CEO was an idiot).  

So I have to start looking for a new job.  

I've been unemployed for 6 weeks.  Even if I get the new job, it'll be another 4 weeks before I get the first paycheck.  I went apartment hunting in the city with the new job, and managed to find the casino, and blow $1,400 that weekend (just once, maybe this slot machine will hit).  That money was supposed to pay the movers.

IT IS AN ADDICTION.  

No different than being an alcoholic.  

It will leave you broke, destroyed, friendless, and still wanting more.

I realize now that if my new job in my new city is going to work, I have to file for self-exclusion as soon as I get my new drivers license.

"Self-exclusion" - Sign papers with the state police that say "If I step foot inside a casino in your state, you have the right (and duty) to arrest me and press charges for criminal trespass."

Even then, that's not a 100% solution.

They don't have self-exclusion for lottery tickets, and the scratch-offs have been described as the crack cocaine of gambling addicts.  It's fast, it's cheap, and it wears off quickly leaving you begging for more.

Answer 3

I started gambling when I was about 16 years old.  I had saved about 10 thousand dollars from working as a busser/dishwasher in a restaurant since 14.  

It all started when I met a bookie at 16.  I was hot right away and couldnt lose.  Suddenly, I was hooked.  I won about 5 thousand from him and was paid with no issues.  This went on until i was 18 and had almost 20 thousand dollars in my savings account and I was headed to college in about three months.  In that summer before college I really started hitting it heavy.  I would go to the casino all the time and by the end of the summer I had about 500 dollars left.  It was devastating.  I gambled off and on from that point whenever I had money.  I never would win!!  I am now 25, unemployed and attempting to fix my habit.  It is working well but I am still flat broke.

Gambling is very addicting and I still think what I could have if I never would have started.  I was sick of being broke so I dropped out of college after 1 year.  I still have never gone back and I think if I hadn't lost all that money I would have successfully completed college.

Also, my mother has told me that her Dad was big into gambling so that is why she was so worried about me.  Her Dad used to own a carribbean island and lost it all due to gambling.  He proceeded to commit suicide because he lost everything and I guess it was all too much for him.  

All this is just a fraction of my story and I would love to hear yours.  Thanks flr listening and great question.