re: Do you know anyone who's a compulsive gambler?

There are lots of youtubes of spectacular online gambling fails. People will bet insane amounts on completely random events thinking they have some kind of skill to predict what will happen.

It's crazy that sports leagues have jumped into bed with the sports books. They they're shocked, shocked to find out that players and coaches are gambling on their own games.

I have known a few people who I would say was addicted to gambling, but was able to get their shite together without help (which I don't know if that falls under compulsive if they were able to stop on their own).

There is one person I know who has a very addictive personality and whatever he gets into it becomes an obsession. He could stop one thing, but he would just move on to something else. He started gambling and it became an obsession. A very costly obsession. He was stealing from family, friends, etc. He played video poker and there were places he was banned from playing at because his dad knew the owners and would ask them to not allow him to play, but that didn't do anything but make him find somewhere else.

He would steal a blank check from his parents and go cash it at a grocery store. He started going there 3 and 4 times a day and finally they stopped allowing him to cash a check because it was obvious something was going on.

He bought some scratch offs and won $100k. Gave his parents $35k since he had stole from them (not sure how much he stole) and kept the rest after taxes which he gambled away.

Thing is, he is a good dude. If you need someone to help with something he will be there and will not take money if offered (which contradicts his addiction).

He finally got help. His parents tried and tried to get him help and nothing worked, he had to want it for himself. His daddy actually had him arrested when he took money from them again. Left him in jail for a few days. He had no money, lost his job, etc.. A few months after being arrested he decided he needed help. Went to rehab for several months, left the state for a few years to work and then came back and as for as I know, hasn't gambled since before rehab.

Yes. Several.

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I bet most in here do.

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Honestly if anyone I know even gambles regularly/enthusiastically I'm unaware of it. Maybe it's semi-regional, we've never had much casino culture in metro ATL.

My mom. She was apparently driving to the casinos 5+ days a week for years, and blowing $50k plus a year. All while my dad sat in his recliner at home( he had weakness from a stroke 10 years before he died). I found all this out after he died and she started showing signs of dementia. I had to help her with bills, and realized she fukn blew all their money, and ran up several credit cards too. Now she is in a nursing home, and all her credit cards defaulted. I damn sure ain't paying that shite off.

I am not a moralist, but I was strongly against state sanctioned gambling for this very reason, it destroys people, families and lives.

My best friend's wife is very addicted and she has convinced him she always wins because of her 'system'. They go on frequent trips to different casinos all gratis from the casino. I can't convince him they don't give free trips to people who are winning.

I have a friend who got into the bookie for around 4K. That's big money for him. The bookie agreed to take 2K and call it even.

Next thing I know, he was back betting with the same bookie. I told them both, I don't know which one of y'all is more stupid.

I asked my friend, why do you bet on this crap. His reponse, why else watch the game.

My brother's wife was and it sent them into financial ruins.

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he could not stop gambling even after losing everyrhing- his beautiful wife and daughter, his beautiful house....

ended up moving back in with his mom. Finally decided suicide was his only option. His 86 year old mother had to call 911 but it was too late.

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You gon have dat wit dat big gamblin' RIP sweet prince