Theres only 1 casino in my city so I saw the regulars there all the time! They knew me as that “crazy gambler” who would bet huge amounts. They probably thought I was some kid with rich parents but little did they know I was actually gambling with almost my entire life savings.
Before I found online gambling the most I would lose would be 1-2k here or there. Still crippling at the time but I could deal with it. Finding online gambling early last year completely changed the game and I would be throwing insane amounts of money away in ridiculously short periods of time. It’s like the money wasn’t real. After I had some major swings on online gambling I guess I game desensitized to it and started taking large amounts of cash to the casino to gamble as well. So online gambling actually caused my offline gambling to get out of control as well. Once they also offered me a $500 “bonus” token after having dropped 10k+ that afternoon, thanks online casino!
I work in banking and today I actually deal with a client with massive gambling problems. She was an affluent customer (earns great money with large amounts of lending) but really struggling with all the debt and everyday transactions. I realized that she had recently opened up a few high limit credit cards which she had maxed out in a few months on an online casino I recognized. On some days there’d be so many deposits it would fill the entire page. Even seeing this made me feel that disgusting gambling loss feeling in the pit of my stomach. She was in the process of getting another 30k loan and I fear the worst as to where that money was to go. The issue really is widespread but a taboo topic. I’ve dealt with many clients who were highly intelligent and sociable who you would have no clue would possibly be a gambling addict. The disease can strike anyone and its silent and secretive nature is just so destructive.
Anyways, halfway through day 9 and I will not gamble today.