Posted on 08/18/2010 3:33:28 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Editor: Re: “Gambling does have a downside,” (The Times, July 28).
Before the opening of the Langley Cascades Casino, I had never been in a casino.
I was curious and ventured in there one day. I was a little nervous only because I didn’t know how to work a slot machine.
I walked around for a while, then I found an empty one right in the corner and sat down and proceeded to put my money in. In a heartbeat, $20 vanished.
I was so upset that I had lost 20 bucks (I am the cheapest person when it comes to money), I said I would never go again.
Well, I went to meet a friend one day just to watch, and he walked out of there with $16,000. That’s when I started to gamble,
For the past four to five years, I have spent every cent I’ve earned. My regular job pays me $45,000 a year, and I have taken on part-time work in those years as well, with the same result.
I’ve lost everything that means anything to me through gambling, including self-worth, love from the people in my life and all my accomplishments. I live with the ministry at my doorstep watching every move I make.
I’ve lost one home after another, leaving each one with a pile of used furniture and angry landlords seeking revenge. The fridge is always empty and driving is out of the question, as I can never get enough to keep insurance and licensing costs up.
My kids want to be with me, but again can’t stand to be because I cause so much anxiety between all of us. They don’t trust me and have every right not to.
On paydays they curl up in one of their rooms and wait to see if I will come through the door. The longer they wait, the more hope they lose.
When I leave the casino without a dime, it sends me into a whirlwind of thoughts of a criminal mind in action. I’m ashamed to face my loved ones. I have walked or wandered through back alleys, streets, and abandoned homes — crying and dying inside because I am not a criminal.
I could never take someone’s property or possesions although when I’m in that state, I swear I’m going to.
This is just a brief look into the downside of one person’s gambling addiction. It is evil.
I also want to mention that I have been self-excluded twice — and yes, it didn’t work for me either. I still went almost every day.
Gambling does have a downside.
Name withheld by request
Very sad tale. There’s no shame in having a problem as long as you’re dealing with it and getting help. There’s only shame in letting it hurt your family and not doing anything about it. Same goes for alcoholism, drugs, or any other vice.
I father lost ~$750,000 last few years of his life.
I know a lot of people after they retire get into this addiction. Very sad. My father and I were never the same.
I still love my dad. Wish he hadn’t become addicted.
It also ruined him in other ways too.
Wow, this article has really made me change my mind about gambling. We need to outlaw it, so that this poor compulsive gambler won’t be tempted by the lure of the casinos.
While we’re at it, I’d appreciate it if we could also outlaw the use of penicillin, since I’m allergic to it, and if I come into contact with the smallest amount, I could quite possibly die. Oh, and I’d also appreciate it if we could get rid of bees, wasps, stinging ants, etc, since I’m also allergic to them too.
Thanks!
Mark
So true. Compulsive, self destructive behavior is a tough demon to overcome for many people. Peace and serenity can be achieved, but it is never a sure thing for a lot of folks.
I did volunteer work with GA for many years..., How to put this...gambling lacks the “cachet” of alcoholism or narcotics addiction...one doesn’t generally get “embraced” by people for admitting they’re addicted too casinos..anothe little known fact..gamblers have the highest % of cross-addictions..
My brother has this same story. He walks through people’s lives and leaves a trail of despair behind him all to support his gambling addiction. It is a matter of intermittent positive reinforcement conditioning...the delusion of “hope” the idea that the one you “would win” is the next one and in a sense if you do not do it you feel like you lost the one that would have been the big winner perhaps?
Admitting that you have a problem is the first step, but there’s a difference between admitting and wanting to do something about it.
Most casinos have ways for people to voluntarily bar themselves, that’d be a good second step.
http://www.bclc.com/cm/gamesense/voluntary-self-exclusion.htm
Took me about 2 minutes of clicking, looks like you can self exclude for up to 3 years at a time.
I didn’t see anywhere in the article that suggested that.
Gambling: “Do it for the Children”. That’s how they sold Prop 5 in California, it was going to solve all the schools money problems. Didn’t make a dimes worth of difference in acheivement, except we know that the teachers and administrators acheived more pay and perks every year.
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