I lost $60,000 gambling in 2019

Do you believe you will win? I've done a little gambling (mostly slots) and I KNOW I'll lose. I always lose. Even if I win and am up a little, keep playing and "POOF!" it's all gone. This is why I don't gamble.

I gamble too. Just curious , what was your biggest slot win in 2019?

I am a former gambler. It was what drove me out of my home in Vegas. I couldn't believe how addicted I was to it. I moved far from a casino and never looked back. Can you do the same?

Its the worst addiction, and I fucking love it..It makes me sick I cant get it under control. I actually enjoy it so fucking much - its an escape from reality. I have to get it under control. I've probably lost $20K a year for the last 10 years. Ive won huge jackpots and end up gambling it away a couple of weeks later. I'd go everyday if I could. Its horrible...

You know when you're addicted to gambling if you ever say to yourself: "This time I'll win." It's a sucker bet all the time. Stop.

Fraus shouldn’t be allowed to go to casinos without supervision.

My sister is addicted to scratch off tickets. Of course she’s always broke and never can afford them. I must admit though you do get a buzz when you win! I see how people can get addicted.

Gambling bores me. But even if it didnt, I'd still stay away from casinos.

Just because casinos call their customers "The Suckers". It's all rigged, OP, you're guaranteed to lose in the long run.

I want to play with Madonna's slot.

I just go to the casinos for the buffet.

My husband buys lottery tickets once or twice a week, always the least expensive, about $2.50. He wins at least half the time and a few years ago, he won 18 times in a row. Never a big amount, but enough to keep him hooked.

Anyone else?

OP, please get help.

You're addicted. Your brain has rewired itself and you'll keep seeking the high unless you get help. You almost certainly won't be able to just quit on your own so don't be too proud to seek professional help.

You're all losers

R1 yes I believe I can win because I have in the past, but I also know I will always lose because I keep playing until I lose it all.

R2 $9,330 on a pay before $10,000 machine where I bet $10. I played the one next to it for awhile betting low amounts but should have Just bet $50/spin cuz someone 1/2 later won $9,700 after I walked away, I still would have made a profit if I lost $6-7,000.

I called GA last year and talked to a counselor, I’ve gotten so in debt the thought of saying “I lost a few hundred thousand and I will not continue trying to win it back” is hard but I just keep digging a bigger hole.

We vilify drug dealers, yet keep expanding casino gambling. Insane.

Don't the "dealers" in casinos feel shitty for profiting off the destruction, which they actually witness before they very own eyes? How depressed I would be to watch all day, 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, people throwing away their rent money, etc.

Last, casinos are not a boon for the economy. The economy would be helped more if that money was buying actual products.

Quitting was impossible for me while I lived in Vegas. Strangely once I packed up and left i never thought much about gambling again. The only time I think of it is when I smell cigarette smoke. I am still surprised to know we can be addicted to events like gambling. Anyway, try to cut it off how every you can. The outcome of compulsive gambling is not pretty.

Go to a casino and really watch the people gambling. Most are NOT having a good time, yet there they are. That's why its a sickness, and why its even sicker that the government partners with casinos to tax mental illness.

R15 I completely agree.

R17, it's a really depressing sight--just rows and rows of deadeyed zombies at the slot machines. Horrifying, the sight probably is a huge factor in why I do not have a gambling problem.

My mom goes about a couple of times a month. She's on low income SS and loses in absolute amount, a tiny sum. But relative to her monthly SS check, it's a good chunk. She claims to go for the free or discounted buffet. But I can tell it's not something she's not entirely comfortable with admitting to because she tells people she only goes once or twice a year.

Are we ever going to discuss pornography addiction?

It is easier to just have someone kick you in the balls...or ovaries!

Fat and poor - the worst combo of living.

OP, I am sorry to read this. I hope you get help and stop.

I gave up gambling for Lent and its a major struggle. Pray for me...

OP = Dorothy Z

U b dumb, OP.

it's an addiction like any other. Get a therapist who specializes in gambling addiction. AND go to gamblers anonymous. Just start going to meetings. You don't even have to stop gambling--Because on your own, you can't. After you go to some gamblers anonymous meetings, you'll likely want to try out the program (meaning stuff like getting a sponsor, working steps, etc).

You'll also need to be careful. Addicts jump addictions. Gambling is something most people can beat though. It's not hard not to gamble if you are working with other recovering addicts. It will take many months, probably years before you fully understand the nature of the addiction and why you behave like that.

The good news is--the program works. AND you make plenty of money. You will be out of debt in no time.

Who the fuck bumped this? I’m sitting on the toilet in a hotel casino bathroom right now. I’ve been gambling for over 16 hours today. I’m up $5000, but was down $8,000 for the year before today. At least I stepped away while I was up.

r28 so you WON $13K? What were you play8ing? Machines or did you hi the tables?

I watched an interview with someone who works on the code for slot machines once. The way it works is by letting you win often but making sure that for every dollar you put in you'll only ever get back between 85-95 cents. It's literally programmed to be the most rigged gambling based game. You are addicted to feeling of winning even though you're actually losing in the long term and you'll keep losing as a long as you keep playing slots.

Please just ban yourself from the casino or learn to play a game you can actually win. You must know what the career gamblers think of the people playing slots right? The only thing worse than slot machines are scratchies.

Doesn't the casino take out the taxes on your winnings immediately? Was with a friend when the guy next to us won 10K at Texas Hold 'em. Took forty-five minutes for paperwork and officials to come confirm the win. I would think the slots would be the same with that amount.

Is this Ben Affleck??

Keep feeding those slots! You can’t stop now. One day, your luck is bound to turn.

The poster who bumped this is someone who was concerned for you, OP. Sixteen hours? Get some help. You are not living your best life, as they say.

Casinos are a total waste of time and money. And the fact that government in a partner in this sickness is depressing.

I work in a casino as a slot manager. The house usually takes 93%. You should never play slots. I never was a gambler but when I got dragged to a casino (Which I hated to do because I hated being in a casino when I was not working) I played the don't pass line only on craps. I either always broke even or was up slightly.

I'm curious of OP saw UNCUT GEMS. It's about a compulsive gambler. Have you?

I'm the same way, op.

Fortunately for me, I don't live anywhere near a casino.

On the down side, I spend a ton of money on airfare and hotels, just to GET to a casino.

And then after spending all my money on slots, I end up with just enough money to get me back to the airport and on my flight home.

I think that my situation is far more depressing than yours, op.

At least you win sometimes. I never win.

Anyone with a gambling problem should watch the "Intervention" episode about Gabe the gambler. YouTube does not have the full episode; Hulu does, apparently. Hulu has a 30-day free trial right now. (No, I don't work for Hulu.)

I hope you gamblers can get help. IMO, this addiction is one of the worst.

Get some help. You type dumb.

I took a 300-level math class called "Probability" or something like that. (It was a long time ago.) The teacher told us what all the "sucker bets" were (e.g., keno, any bet on the craps table besides pass / no pass). He did, also, tell us what bets were somewhat reasonable. Obviously, the odds are in favor of the house for all games.

I don't have $10 dollars to lose.

Gambling does seem like a terrible addiction. You guys need to cut yourself off.

R36, are you in Vegas?

Strip or downtown?

Just curious.

OP, here’s my opinion. Switch to heroin. Really. At least you get high, and perhaps your health will be adversely affected quickly, and you can stay in a rehab, and recover, or get it all over with, and accidentally OD.

Sounds fucked? Nope. A better solution than gambling, because you might be forced to stop.

Another suggestion? Take 10K out on credit cards or your bank, whatever, and set it on fire. Do that every year, and repeat this any time you get extra cash.

Spend it on helium. Yes, 10K worth of helium, and balloons. Entertain the neighborhood kids, and get down with some clown makeup.

Maim two fingers or toes, per year. Most insurance companies will value the loss of use or a temporarily disabled extremity, , at 4-7K, depending on the finger or toe. Amputating several will yield about 10-20K.

You might as well. You like pain, and are in denial about the fact that you want to feel it. Feel it, babe. Lean in. Save the thumbs for last, because you can’t cut off body parts, without thumbs. Have a trusted friend, like the dude who calibrates the slot machines, do that for you, when you’re ready.

Don’t forget to invite the waitress who brings you those Long Island ice teas at the casino. You will need someone to hold your booze to your mouth.

Get a fantastic life insurance policy, and pay the 10K for someone to kill you. Make sure it’s a cop in a local county. No big city cops. They will entrap you, and send your ass to jail. Leave the money to a deserving person, such as myself, or that poor waitress who gets you the Long Island ice teas.

This is the dumbest fucking addiction ever. I will never understand it, though I’m a recovering addict. I have attended Gamblers’ Anonymous meetings, and I have little to zero sympathy for the idiots I’ve met there.

They almost all males, white, over 40, and small business owners or in the entertainment industry. They’re pathetic fucks, who spend hours telling me why they can stay sober from booze and drugs for 20 years, yet are losing money daily, while living in a motel, driving a Ferrari.

Never seen anything like it.

Smart people, but fucking entitled as fuck white men, whom, by the way, almost always happen to be... REPUBLICANS!

Here’s the ONLY conservative I actually respect, because he isn’t conservative in the way you stupid ass conservatives are. He’s conservative in what it truly, really meant: local and state funding for state and local development, education, and infrastructure. None of this bullshit about walls, Jesus, or mail order whores/brides. 👇🏼

And please don’t hit me up with any bullshit about that fucking scandal regarding the pedophile. I know all about it, and anyone who believes Warren Buffett was activity cognizant or involved in that shit, has no idea who Warren Buffett is, and how he became like that. People who think like him, are incapable of doing something so fucking stupid, criminal, and illogical. Smart people. Real smart people, don’t fuck around with bullshit.

JFC, OP. Get your life together. You will need to get an attorney, and create a Trust. A money manager needs to be appointed, to give you per firms, and pay your bills. It’s the only way to get ahead of, and it will take about 5 years for it to be completely remodeled in your brain, in order for the addiction to be gone for good. See a behavioral specialist. They will give you expected outcomes. The numbers are GRIM.

Assign a Trustee, or bankruptcy. Perhaps jail. Choose, or gamble on those highly poor odds, too, just like you do at the slots.

Honestly, if I had an extra $50 or $100, I'd rather snort coke. I really don't understand the gambling addiction. (No, I don't have a coke addiction.)

R45 is a total Debbie Downer.

Wanted to see how you're doing with all the casinos closed - might be just the break you needed? Please tell me your not online gaming.

I worked in a casino in the CREDIT department no less, the amounts of money I saw people loose over sixteen years was fucking unbelievable. Some were flithy rich and didn't bat an eye at loosing 50K a day but the vast majority were dirt poor and lost literally everything they had. The House always the advantage, always, and they constantly come up with new ways to get you to part with your money. But then again, if these people did not have a gambling problem they would have another addiction like sex, drugs, shopping, alcohol or religion, so it is all the same.

I once asked Chico how much money he lost gambling. He said, 'Ask my brother Groucho, how much he has now. That's how much I lost"

I once asked Chico how much money he lost gambling. He said, 'Ask my brother Groucho, how much he has now. That's how much I lost"

Gambling is a rush.

It has the same effects on a gambler's brain, that meth has with a meth user, or heroin has with a heroin user.

The addiction is that strong.

Just an update - I know you aren't gambling and hope that you stay on track Maybe some good out of this whole Covid 19 thing Hope you aren't gambling online. As far as I know, every casino is closed!

+1 with r53

[quote]if you ever say to yourself: "This time I'll win."

Say it? I SANG it, baby!

Casino's open after the holiday in Vegas, stay out!

OP, I’m sure this is a real challenge. I hope you stick with it! Best,

Please stop replying. It makes me sad.

I play blackjack and there really are ways to win. I combine a couple of known betting strategies. I start with $3,000 in chips. Once I am at least $1,000 ahead, I leave. The most important thing to remember when gambling is setting a high point that when you hit it you leave. You do miss out on some really hot days, but I win around 85% of the time. I was up around $20,000 this year before they closed the casinos.

I only played lottery tickets and I stopped that when the virus arrived.

OP play the stock market, your chances of winning are greater, it is still gambling and might satisfy your gambling need.

[quote] Please stop replying. It makes me sad.

Seek therapy and find out why you felt compelled to piss away your life savings that way. You won't get it back but you might figure out a way to go forward.

The human brain can become chemically dependent on gambling just as much as it is possible to become addicted to cocaine or heroin.

OP don’t try to quit this addiction alone; reach out for help.

OP, You must be making all this up because no one could be that stupid. Why would gamble away $60,000 when you could spend $60,000 on china and silverware?

[quote] you could spend $60,000 on china and silverware

Think of all the beloved discontinued china patterns he could’ve bought!

R65 - It makes me cry just thinking about it. A complete service for 24 of 9 piece place setting of heavy dinnerware Chantilly and all the heavy serving pieces.

I lost a million over 18 years, on a modest income. Lived in homeless shelters and ate noodles, but kept working.

I stopped two years ago. One year of hard limits -$25 per day, enforced by an online bookmaker.. Then one year of nothing, starting from my birthday. No struggle at all.

And why? Too old (I am in my fifties) and obviously don’t own property. I don’t want to spend my retirement years, if I get there, in absolute poverty. I need at least a small apartment and some supplementary cash to welfare.

So, call it the reality principle. Gamblers anonymous and therapy didn’t work so the ‘get help’ thing is not convincing to me.

You're weak, OP. You're addicted, OP. It's not entirely your fault - they made it this way. Your maybe 40% at fault when it comes down to it. Stay away from casinos!

[quote] The sad part is if I hadn’t gambled at all last year I would have at least paid off all of my debt.

Ummm......yeah. All gamblers could pay off their debt if they stop gambling.

R59, next time I have $3000, I'll try it. Although I make poor decisions when I play black jack. You forgot to add that the person has to somewhat know how to play the game.

[quote] OP play the stock market, your chances of winning are greater, it is still gambling and might satisfy your gambling need.

Funny you mention this.

I'm not the op, but I'm also a gambler. So I've resorted to "playing" the stock market, and the funny thing is that just like gambling, I pick all the wrong machines! But in this case, I've picked the wrong stocks! I'm actually in the hole right now, from where I started. Ugh.

[quote] OP, You must be making all this up because no one could be that stupid

R64 clearly never read the post RIGHT ABOVE his, or he would have had the answer to his stupid comment.

[quote] I lost a million over 18 years, on a modest income

Now THIS, I find hard to believe. Especially for someone in their 50's.

Can you explain how this is possible? What did you play? How often?

And how did you come up with a million dollar figure, especially from a modest income?

[quote] I'm actually in the hole right now

Whose?

[quote] The only thing worse than slot machines are scratchies.

A little hydrocortisone cream should help the scratchies.