The latest take I have read about problem gamblers is...

Problem gamblers, generally, have low self esteem & have the psychological need to be punished.
Winning or losing does not really come in to it.

Punished?---go figure.

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Cheers.

Yes Bhagwan, "punished", by way of their own making, it will turn back on them, loss of loved ones, etc etc ( I am not including here the one's that go out and rob a bank or those extremes, I'm not educated on those things so I'm out of that debate).
But the one's who owe a credit company, bank etc where it is just a number, more towards the negative as in -$10,000 in dept and with a house mort. or whatever.
That then is a "think" problem that can be solved cos like that write up says, it is not cell based, it's thought based.

The self imposed "punishment" will go down further way past low esteems and whatever other analysis the head shrinks will label it. Way way past all that, to the bottom and then a look in the mirror may say, WAKE UP!
THEN a change may occur, and only then. The only way is up OR rest in the shade of self pity.

On the up cos the "victim" has "seen a light" and passes the old labels of low self esteem, depressive and what ever else, waves at hose labels, say's "Hi there, byeee!" and keeps going.
When they out of that pit, it's a fresh start. I am very sure they will not do what they did that got them down that pit ever again.
( never sell ya marbles, just sit it out and wait, the right time will come and ya roll of the dice will get ya home.)

GA ? well I dunno, they suggest total no gambling. But if it works for some, well and good.
My passion is numbers, not math but numbers on the punt,( even before I discovered a race track, it was marbles at school, cards at home and a few dice games, those types of numbers.)
what makes those numbers "light up" is to intriguing to just let go and decided not to.

However I do agree with the right attitude and discipline the punting game
( horses and trotts for me) is a good win.

Oh BTW, thanks Mark, that was a interesting read.

By all means, if gambling is a problem, get some help, some advice at least from those that have been through a bad time and got back up and even if they got a regular job, that is ok to, nothing wrong with a bit of yakka, nothing wrong with that at all.

MMmmm, well, I feel a need to respond here, personally, I haven't been in "that place" of being totally out of control, but as a young bloke I was what you would call an "avid" gambler only horses my absolute passion, and dare I say it I seemed to have an "unnatural" gift (sometimes) don't want to bore anyone but just to iterate, I recall one day that I went to the local "betting shop" and placed my only shilling (colloquially called a bob) on the first 6 furlong race on a horse called "Bobsbest" it won at 20-1,

I walked out of that venue with more that 500 QUID+, I'm talking about approx. 47 years ago, so I hope you can imagine the value of that amount of money? well I can tell you that would have bought a nice house.

Well I didn't buy a house (unfortunately) I had great time but in the end it (mostly) went back over the counter, me trying to make 5000 QUID!!

I repeated this kind of idiocy many times, only rarely making the win count, one particular time I bought a Mercedes 280 outright cash, boy did I live it up,
but eventually sold it after a bad run for about half of what it was worth, that's how it goes!

What I'm getting at is that "buzz" is better than ANY drug and I can understand how it could be totally addictive, BUT the message should be that
if that's what you feel you definitely need help!

i.e when that machine tells you that it pays 85% minimum out , what it really means that it takes 15% of every $ that goes in relentlessly! funny thats about the take from the Tote AND the bookies!

Well, I'm not a psychologist, but I have extensive history in dealing with all types of addicts as part of my job.
There are two types of addicts only.
First type must get their fix everyday by any means possible.
Second type can go days weeks or even months without a fix, but as soon as they start, they cannot stop. (a bender if you will).
There are also combinations of the above, but they usually lean one way or another.
This applies to drugs, alcohol, gambling.
The addiction leads to low self esteem, it doesn't start with low self esteem.
In fact I would suggest that the greatest number of addicts I have dealt with have a common theme, they usually fell from a great height. (in other words, originally they had an increased feeling of self worth.)
That is why addicts become so terribly depressed, they fell from a great height.
The punishment issue is more to do with being stuck in a cycle unable to break free, learned behaviour that is like Groundhog Day.
They become addicted not only to the problem, but to the behaviour.
They are usually well aware of the addiction to the problem, but unaware they are addicted to the behaviour (thinking) as well.

So it's not all doom and gloom, I must say that all of the people who have been through this and come out the other side positively are quite remarkable people who are down to earth and very humble. They are quite exceptional to the average joe without an addiction. They have learned a valuable lesson and realise just how important other aspects of life are.

As I say, this has been only my experience working with hundreds of addicts in recovery centres.

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Agreed, full marks and much respect to those who have taken control of their addiction and turned their lives around.

Im really hard with this and have very little sympathy for gambling addicts but all strength to those that can learn from their mistakes and continue to enjoy the punt.

I like the talk about the 3 r's and the fact that your average system lasts 2.8 days.

The Schmile

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The Schmile

"I buy when other people are selling.”
― J. Paul Getty

Assuming 95% of punters lose
Assuming the TAB / Bookie takeout is 15%

Lat's take a person who's got plenty of money and takes 10K to the races each week, or to the TAB, or wherever. That's $500k turnover p/a, with a return of $425k (85% of his $500k). Yeah ..... really?

There's a lot of punters who contribute much, much more than the 15% takeout week in week out, and even tho' the figures show an 85% return it just doesn't tell the true story, does it. There's an abundance of money out there for the smarties to help themselves to, and I believe they do, and it's these punters who help balance the books to 85%.

Hi Barny,

Going on these figures, 95% of the 85% remaining in the pool is mug money.

The Schmile

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The Schmile

"I buy when other people are selling.”
― J. Paul Getty

I don't think any gambling addict can enjoy the punt without returning to addiction.
Just like an alcoholic or drug addict.
One should consider that these people are not necessarily stupid, nor are they weak. They have a mental illness which they cannot control, just like people who suffer from bipolar and go on spending sprees.
They cannot control their addiction.

But there is a distinct line between an addict and someone who is just losing on the punt and can turn his fortunes around with a little more effort or discipline.

Chronic problems are very difficult to overcome and a large majority are never able to overcome them.
But a very wise person once told me, everybody has something to deal with or overcome in their lives, even if it isn't quite as visible as the problems of an addict.

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Video overview of RaceCensus here:
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I was addicted to smoking but gave up after 25 years, 3 years down now.

That was an addiction in the true sense of the word.

Very fine line between someone claiming their irresponsible gambling that is destroying their family and causing no end of grief to those around them is an addiction to those members of society that have no moral compass.