Known any problem gamblers?

I don't think I've seen to many threads on this. Go figure. So does anyone know someone how has lost everything to gambling. A very sad local Cleveland news story brings this to mind. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4416996/Cops-hunt-man-shot-killed-man-Facebook-Live.html WARNING GRAPHIC VIDEO

 

What does that shooting have to do with a gambling problem?

 

Of those people I know personally who frequent casinos, I would not consider any to be problem gamblers.

However, when I go to the local casinos during the daytime on weekdays, which is really not that often, I see the same people there all the time, playing for hours. I suspect that at least some of them are what are called problem gamblers.

What impresses me more as problem gambling are those who will spend $100 on lottery tickets or live keno.

 

Many years ago --
My buddy + I met a guy from HS - who was living in Vegas,for a bunch of years.
When we met him in Vegas - his job was Food Server.
We went out for an evening ( in Vegas ) and ended up at Binion's.
This guy told us how he almost lost everything due to gambling.
Money, family,etc..........but he was okay, now.
I swear ---
An hour later, we're all sitting at Binion's casino bar --
and this guy says "Hey, let's shoot some craps ! "
I couldn't believe what he said ---
I just keep drinking my beer and didn't answer - I wasn't gonna be involved with THAT !
To our credit -- my buddy + I didn't answer.
Later - after we parted ways for the evening-
I said to my buddy -- "WTF ? was THAT ?.....lost everything + wants us to gamble with him ? ---
Freakin' guy might be homeless tomorrow after we shoot dice ! I don't want that on my conscience ! "
*
I saw the guy next trip - as I was Strip Walking thru Sahara -
He ( was fine ) --- but the jerk says to me -
"Hey - this is the first time I've seen you sober ! "
I should have said "Hey, dickhead, let's shoot some dice + have a beer."

 

I would hope any problem gamblers would not be frequenting this board. It was be like a sex addict posting on a porn board. If they are losing everything they probably won't brag about it and if they are in recovery they should avoid it.

Having said that, I used to wonder about myself, since I haven't had had a winning trip in about 5 years yet I go on gambling trips 2-3 times a year if I can. The only difference is I don't lose more than I can afford. I used to go home feeling really bad about losing money I could have used to renovate the house or something else useful. But, as I get older I find that fun is more important than "things" and you never know when travel will become too difficult. Now I don't feel bad about losing my fun money.

 

I have a "friend" who's a major VMB addict!

RICHARD

 

Yes, several.

 

Sadly... far, far too many. From young people who used to work for me at our restaurants 20-30 years ago, who'd get their paycheck, run to the casino to spin the wheel and usually would only get a free drink, then promise themselves they'd only 'invest" a small portion of it gambling and would be asking for a draw on their next paycheck, sometimes the very next day... to business owners... I watched a good friend of ours lose 4 radio stations, because he couldn't stop playing the dollar slots to knowing some elderly folks who were so bored they'd just gamble until the money was gone and down sized from a very nice, comfortable home to a dumpy trailer-home as they ended their lives together, via suicide... to a 20-something friend who 15 years ago moved here from down under to be a sports-bettor. I watched him do incredibly well and buy a beautiful house in Henderson and own a nice truck, to watch him live in the house during the recession for almost 3 years without making a payment to then having the home finally repossessed by the bank to him then renting another home, to being booted from there to now living in the truck. He told me the other day, he's moving back home as soon as he can scape-up the fare for the plane ticket.

For all of these people, gambling wasn't a one-time "runner" where they'd take a chunk of cash and go have a blast for the weekend or such. It was an everyday thing and if they had the money, they'd be gambling it. But, I also know a friend who's an insurance agent and he'd take some of the large commission checks down to Harrah's and nobody would see him for a day or two. Then he'd surface disheveled and broke... he'd do this sometimes twice a month, but then sometimes he's go for the better part of a year, just like an alcoholic... he'd begrudgingly control it, mostly cause his wife would threaten to leave, but then sometimes just couldn't control himself and blow it again.

I guess the internal torture and struggle that I witness is what's so horrific. I've also know people who just don't give a rip and that's far less ominous than those who seem so internally conflicted.

 

And to think some folks here aren't is kinda flat-earthery.

 

Hell I've had bad moments where I had to put a leash on myself. I don't go alone anymore and review my bank statements after each trip with a buddy for accountability. I blew 2k one weekend and it terrified me. Went to the ATM twice. Kept chasing.
I know it's small money to many here but it was nearly 10% of my savings.

I still go to Vegas, which is probably foolish, but I've shared what happened with my two closest friends and ask them to help be watch dogs. No issues in the last 3 years, but I don't trust myself anymore with it.

 

I have no doubt some do in LV but I guess I think the local casino is even more depressing because I recognize the same people over and over. Some of whom are probably playing their last dollar.

 

Addiction is addiction. It touches all races, creeds, religions, whatever. Addictions never are cured. Successful addicts learn how to live life keeping the addictive urge in a box, not indulging in it whatever the pull might be or how it is rattling around in the box trying to get out. There is no half way, as there is no kinda pregnant. Ameliorating mechanisms are not coping, boxing it up, living with it. They are addiction indulgences that at that time are simply not as life-debilitating.

 

I worked for two Electrical Contractors who would go to Vegas with the company's payroll and try to double or triple it.

I don't work for them anymore. I like to get paid for my work, thank you.

 

I thought he was in rehab but I think I spotted him here about 16 minutes ago .

 

on a lighter note, sort of. back in the day when me and my buddies would go to the riverboat casinos, we would pick up those problem gambling brochures. we were usually spending the night in the casino hotel. we would get each other by slipping the brochure under his pillow or in his luggage. just being young and silly. we got a good laugh out of it.

 

I know a couple of people who have talked about having gambling problems. One of them was absolutely broke but kept finding money somehow to gamble. One day he realized how bad he is in that he walked around the local casino and told all the staff and regulars that they'll never see him there again. He held true to his word as far as I could tell. I never ran into him there, but then again, I don't go very often.

The other guy was telling a bunch of guys on our hockey team that he had a gambling problem, he was even attending meetings and had somebody controlling his finances for him for a couple of years too. We were in a lounge with a bunch of slots and video poker machines. He didn't touch them, but he claimed he can gamble from time to time and walk away, he doesn't have a problem anymore. I didn't believe him too much. A few months later for our year end beer after our last game we were at another establishment that also had the gambling machines. We all left together except for him. He had a $50 in his hand when we left the table and I saw that his truck was still unoccupied and in the parking lot. I didn't think anything of it until the next day. I don't know what he wound up doing that night but I wonder if he decided to gamble a bit.

 

I used to tell people who would sell 50/50 tickets at events that I wasn't interested and that I had a gambling problem. The problem was that I never win! I thought that was clever, but later realized that was a bit insensitive to those who have turned their lives upside down due to gambling problems.

 

I have a friend who's a judge... he publicly battled a very serious alcohol problem at one point and to his credit... successfully. I was with him at a function several year's ago where a lady we were speaking with was unaware of this issue and brought the judge over a drink. He said, "it's best that I don't partake" and she nicely said, "oh... are you bad with the alcohol?". To which he quickly responded, "no... I'm actually incredibly good at it and there-in lies the problem!" Maybe you had to be there, but it was pretty funny!

 

Me too!

RICHARD

 

I know people who don't gamble a lot, maybe play around with $500, but they take the losses very badly, like a personal failure. Maybe it is a poker thing, where you are supposed to be too "good" and too smart, to lose? Doesn't seem to turn into a financial problem, but damages their self esteem.