Canadian residents talk about their gambling addiction
All the surveys were conducted anonymously so that we won't know the names of the participants. However, the researchers claim that their work cites the stories of real people.
One survey participant told us he was most addicted to blackjack and slot machines. He could spend from $1000 to $70,000 monthly on these games. If the money was not enough, he had to use the reserves for a rainy day, convincing himself that he would return it all in the case of winning. But winnings never happened, of course.
According to the man, gambling addicts have tunnel vision, which does not allow them to assess the situation from the outside. Also, addicted people are unable to perceive criticism or advice from those around them because they only care about the opportunity to gamble and achieve winnings.
The addiction started when a young almost won one million dollars. He never hit the jackpot but realized he was one step away from a huge sum, which motivated him to play more and more.
He lost over $100,000 during his so-called career and only stopped when he realized the extent of the money he had lost and calculated all the debts he had incurred over the years.
The second survey participant claims that he didn't become addicted to gambling but to betting on sports. The young man clearly separates these concepts for himself and does not consider sports betting any danger.
At the same time, he understands the problem and tries to solve it, including with the help of visits to the Gamblers Anonymous Society.
It all started with a few hours a day that the man devoted to betting. At first, he studied the outcomes, tried to collect statistics, and analyzed each match, but then he started betting by feeling and intuition, which definitely did not improve the situation.
Before he turned to the Gamblers Anonymous society, he devoted almost all of his free time during the day to betting. During this period, he could bet all of his money on one outcome in hopes of doubling the amount. His biggest bet was $25,000, which he lost due to his favorite team losing. Immediately after that, he bet another $5,000 to try to make up for the loss, but he also lost that amount.
The 3rd participant in the survey is Mike. He claims that gambling advertisements, constantly broadcast on television and the Internet, played a major role in his problem. Mike was 14 years old when his addiction started, and he sought help at the age of 34. He spent the full 20 years betting on sports and online casinos, losing his family savings and his own hard-earned money.
At the same time, he admits that he had to work hard to earn money to pay for his apartment and groceries, but he often spent that money on gambling as well.
The problem of gambling in Canada is similar to other countries. Not all people can control themselves while playing at online casinos or bookmaker's offices.
Therefore, the culture of gambling should also be presented on TV and through the Internet. People need to understand that real money casinos are not a place to make money but just a good way to have a good time and have fun.
