Online Gambling

i had young highly dependable firefighter at my station, hit big on sports betting early on. fast forward about a year, was on the brink of getting fired, all the money everything he and alot he didnt was gone. Army waved a big sign on bonus in front of him, enough to get him close to out of debt, and now. Starts SF selection soon. He seems to be in a much better place though, stopped by other day for firefouse thanksgiving. Long story short we were pleading with him to stop. once we realized how bad it was it was too late. The issue i have is online sports betting is highly predatory due to its easy access and who it targets. unlike drugs or alcohol more gambling can, although highly unlikely, can fix the problem it gets you in too. That said i also support the free will an individual to manage there own life.
 
Gambling has been a problem for a long, long time. The gamblers have just found a way to better get to the masses.
They make it look harmless, then .......
I've had friends hooked on it, lost a lot, won some, lost --- You know the routine. Eventually some of them lost their families over it, just like alcohol and drugs or sexual immoralities.

They can't push cigarettes nor alcohol, let's push gambling.
 
When we would travel thru Nevada on our hunting trips we'd usually stay in Elko or Wendover. I'd put $100 into a dollar slot and maybe get a couple watered down drinks until it was gone. Off to bed after that. Once with a group of guys in one truck we all put $100 for gas in an envelope. I won about $500 one night and gave everyone their money back.
 
I know a guy who lost his house, that was paid for, and eventually his wife to online gambling.

Another who lost multiple houses and land, and eventually his wife and everything else because he couldn’t stay out of the Indian casinos.

My motto when it comes to casinos, sports bets, sure things, and tattoos is that I’m not in the habit of buying stuff I can’t sell if times get hard.
 
One has to understand that gambling is a losing proposition for the one placing the bets. That's the way it is structured by "the house." If anyone need to be convinced of that, all they have to do is drive the Las Vegas strip. Gambling is nothing more than throwing money away. Gambling addicts need serious intervention to shake the habit, which appears to have a strong mental component.
 
The money in sports is insane and wagering or bets for sporting events have been present since the age of time. You used to have to go to Vegas,nor "know someone" for big bets.. Now, Technology and media only acclerates advertising, obviously the price of customer aquisition is paying off for them or they wouldn't be advertising…. Different set of issues than substance abuse, but whatever problems is creates for people will likley only accelerate with time
 
I used to gamble right after I turned 21. Go to Vegas and have a COSTLY weekend. I was single and and so were my buddies. It in about 1962 when I realized that the only thing I was getting was being broke all the time. Quit gambling and have never done it since. I buy raffle tickets for RMEF and our local stuff to benefit kids, but thats it.
 
I played college football and it's hard for me to understand how anyone can do this. I know it's money but when I played it was completely different. I played Freshman football when the NCAA mandated all freshman had to play freshman sports in every sport. That was in 1959. I received the scholarship at a major southern California University and I had to work in the summers at school. In return I received a wonderful education, all I had to do was take advantage of it. I graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering which set me up for my working life with a job that I loved and paid very well.

Times are different today, all the players want to know is how much NIL money can I make from the school. If they are not happy and think they can get more someplace else, they go in the transfer portal. College athletics is has been ruined.
 
32, I have lots of friends that do it

One that sends me when he wins big, one I never hear much about it.

I’ve personally seen them get drunk and bet mid game and spend a grand sitting on the couch watching a football game.

I refuse to participate, even to only bet on my teams
 
ESPN has a 'pigskin pick'em' where you can pick winners (free) either straight up or against the spread. If you think you'd be good at gambling, try this! I wasn't nearly as good as I thought I was, but it's still fun to play once in a while.

I don't gamble. I'm sure I would get addicted and lose my shirt.
 
I dislike how heavily advertised it is and hope it gets regulated. It is gamified similar to social media to drive engagement and take advantage of people. Just another thing I have to teach my sons to understand and avoid in the future.
 
Problem gambling can definitely become an addiction, especially for those genetically at risk and/or at risk from growing up in less than optimal environments. It does have a higher risk of suicidality.

Will it become the next Rx opioid or fentanyl problem...my guess is not. Is it horrible for the problem gamblers and the families involved, absolutely.

By far the the largest addiction in this country is sugar/refined carbs as evidenced by nearly half of the adult population being insulin resistant (pre-diabetic) or having type 2 DM.
 
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