Gambling News Stories
Updated September 04, 2017 16:45:46
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I'm a gambling addict. Three years ago, I was convicted of white collar fraud, after I stole over $130,000 from my employer to fuel an insatiable addiction.
My poison of choice was not poker machines, but online gambling.
Racing, the thoroughbreds, the trots, the dogs — I wasn't fussy, so long as I could get a bet on and fuel that addiction.
The bets would range anywhere between $5,000 and $20,000 a day. I would bet until 3:00am, try to sleep for three hours and bet again for another three hours on online racing in the United States.
I always thought the stereotypical gambling addict was a working-class middle-aged man or woman, sitting at their local club, feeding their favourite pokies machine four or five nights a week.
But I rarely ventured into the local TAB.
Betting while the kids were in the bath
At the zenith of my addiction, I was married with two beautiful young children and working as a finance manager at a local council.
When I was with my family, I was physically there — but mentally, I was miles away, thinking about gambling: when I could next bet, where would the money come from, whether I could back a winner.
I thought about gambling 24/7. I placed bets at home, at work, the shops — basically everywhere and anywhere I could get reception on my phone.
I would be walking with the kids and our dog, yet I'd still be trying to place bets. I would even bet and watch the races on the phone while the kids were in the bath.
A knock at the door
I had been thinking about stealing to solve some of my debt problems for months, but I couldn't do it because I knew the consequences would be dire.
Then one evening, I had a visit from two large men with a baseball bat, strongly suggesting it would be in my best interests to repay a sizable debt that was due that week.
They punched me and threatened to use the baseball bat 'next time'.
I was left bruised and battered from their warning. It was a seriously scary moment; I still occasionally have flashbacks and it sends chills through my body.
That night, I made the decision to steal from work. I felt physically sick and fidgety; my mind wouldn't stop racing. I knew it was wrong, but I did it — knowing I could one day get caught.
The first time is without a doubt the hardest — but once you've done it, stealing becomes easier.
Listen to the program
Earshot meets Leigh, an online gambling addict.
I had nothing to lose. That's how I 'reasoned' it.
However, stealing became another problem to add to my list.
I was constantly worried about being caught. When someone knocked on my office door, when I got a phone call, when my boss called me to a meeting, I was never quite sure.
The fear was slowly killing me, but I couldn't confess, couldn't turn back. I was on a knife-edge with no solution, no way out.
It was a Monday morning when I was finally caught. I was called into the CEO's office and they presented me with the overwhelming evidence.
I was caught red-handed, but I still denied it. I knew my career was over and that jail was not far away.
But at that stage, I had a small sense of relief. No more looking over my back. The lying and deceitfulness could stop.
On the inside
When I was caught and sentenced to jail, the gambling addicts I met in the prison system had similar stories to mine. They were middle-aged, smart, well-educated men from good upbringings, all addicts to racing and not the pokies — certainly not the stereotypical gambling addicts I had imagined.
My addiction cost me everything. I lost my job, all my material possessions including house, car, everything I owned.
But that pales into insignificance to the lost relationships.
Need help or support?
If gambling is affecting your health and you are feeling anxious or depressed, or if gambling is negatively impacting on your relationships, help and support are available.- Call Lifeline on 13 11 14
My marriage disintegrated, I lost access to my children, I don't talk to my family and I'm no longer on speaking terms with most of my friends. I don't blame them.
During my year in jail, I had enough time to reflect on all the damage it had caused and when I was to be released I knew I couldn't go back to that lifestyle.
You get far too much time to reflect in jail. I was constantly thinking about the kids, but I didn't decide to quit gambling because of them. The constant stress and 24/7 of thinking about gambling had destroyed me: physically, emotionally, and financially.
I knew if I didn't stop gambling it would kill me.
Get help before it's too late
I write this not because I find it a cathartic experience, but because I hope that it helps others to seek help before it's too late. Or for family and friends of addicts to intervene and offer support.
Best Gambling Stories
For people 'on the edge' or thinking about committing fraud, the solution is simple: get help.
Seek support before you hit rock bottom. The help that suited me the most was from my psychologist, one-on-one extended chats — but for others it may be Gamblers Anonymous.
For the family and friends of addicts: please don't give up on them, it's a horrendous disease and they need all the support you can give.
Life in 2017 is certainly not perfect, but it's a damn sight better than it has been.
I've got regular access to my children, I'm rebuilding lost relationships, I've found some temporary work — and I haven't had a bet since 2014.
Topics:gambling, internet-culture, family-and-children, fraud-and-corporate-crime, law-crime-and-justice, australia
First posted September 04, 2017 12:14:41
Among the backdrop of a global pandemic and the uncertainty currently plaguing the casino industry, there are a few bright spots to be had. Yes, a majority of casino properties across the US have shut down for a minimum of two weeks, all professional and collegiate sports are on hiatus, and social distancing is being fed to the masses.
But you have read enough of that. To break up the bad headlines, here are some slivers of good news to enjoy:
#1. Some casino corporations are still paying employees
Over the years, there have been some truly dark moments in the casino business. With most casinos closed nationwide, we are perhaps currently witnessing the darkest. But there are also moments where the industry puts its best foot forward.
Just look at the two historical cities known for gambling: Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Some of the big-name casino operators have decided to continue to pay employees and help ease the financial burden associated with properties shutting down.
Wynn Resorts started first, and it seems it is going above and beyond most other casino companies. Wynn is paying both full- and part-time employees plus paying estimated tips for 30 days.
Caesars Entertainment is offering two weeks’ pay to all employees across its vast network of properties around the US. Eldorado Resorts (which Caesars is currently merging with) also announced it would compensate all employees with its standard rate of pay for two weeks.
MGM Resorts International is paying furloughed employees (part-time and full-time) for two weeks, with benefits through June 30.
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City are more properties that are extending pay and benefits for a few weeks to aid their employees.
This is just a small glimpse of how casinos in various states are helping their workers in an industry that employs thousands of people.
Research by the American Gaming Association (AGA), says property closures will directly impact 644,000 casino and resort employees or 98% of the total US casino workforce.
Casinos have no playbook to reference, and no industry standards to fall back on. One day they are operating and the next, ordered to close. It’s good to know some companies are taking the necessary steps to ensure their employees are taken care of in a time of crisis.
#2. Sports betting apps are still live in Nevada
Despite the complete shutdown of the Las Vegas Strip, casual and expert bettors can continue to use Nevada online and mobile sports betting apps. (There was confusion for a while regarding whether they would remain if the physical casino component closed.)
Although the betting menu may be limited, some people may find it comforting to know a finite amount of odd, and diverse sports are still chugging away.
Unfortunately, there is a caveat to this. In Nevada, you must register for an online account in person. With properties closed, this means no new customers can sign up. NV sportsbooks also require that you fund your account in person. So, if you find yourself on a string of bad bets, and hit that zero balance mark, you’re out of luck.
William Hill, however, announced updates to its app, allowing for electronic deposits. Whether other sports betting operators follow this path is yet to be known.
#3. Strong February for East Coast sportsbooks
It may be the last good month for sports betting for a while, but damn was it a great high point. Pennsylvania operators reeled in a whopping $10.8 million in revenue off of $329.8 million in bets.
Neighboring New Jersey saw similar results with sportsbooks generating $17 million in revenue off of $494.8 million in bets. The percentage of bets placed online (88.2%) was also up from January and accounted for $436.5 million in bets.
These numbers will before forever linked to pre-quarantined times, and while the numbers may not directly affect you, the consumer, they are a bright spot as the sports betting industry goes more and more mainstream.
#4. Maryland sports betting is moving along
In the fall, Maryland residents will have the chance to vote on if sports betting should be legalized. The issue will be placed on the November ballot and, if approved, will give the legislature the go-ahead to craft suitable legislation.
One of the key issues holding back a full-blown sports betting bill was the lack of representation of women and minority-owned businesses. The issue directly mirrors what happened in neighboring Washington, DC. Instead of sports betting licenses only being held by major companies, bars and restaurants (some of which are owned by women and minorities) can apply for a Class B license to operate sportsbooks.
Regardless of when sports betting comes to Maryland, the issue is being discussed and moving in the right direction.
#5. Virginia sports betting may soon be a reality
Lastly, Virginiasports betting is a governor’s signature away from becoming a reality. While the bill is limited and includes no betting on colleges in Virginia and no prop bets on any college sports at all, it does represent bipartisanship and brings sports betting to the Commonwealth.
Not all sports betting bills are perfect. Some bills restrict who can and can’t operate a sportsbook. Others limit the types of wagers you can place, provide no responsible gaming protection or limit betting to retail only.
The common thread, however, is providing customers a legal and safe way to bet on sports. And in doing so, slowly chipping away at the illegal market.
In due time
The gaming industry may be in crisis mode right now. But in time, slot machines will be plugged back in. People will hover around a craps table once more. Sportsbooks will switch on TV screens. Casino resorts will welcome back employees and guests.
Gambling News Stories
We will usher in the post-COVID-19 gaming world, but we must remain optimistic that that day will come sooner rather than later.