It's not my fault I gamble!

First, I hope this isn't a d-b.

Compulsive Gambler Files $20M Suit Against Casinos

Second, as a former bartender who also used to have to deal pulltabs as part of the job, I've seen how ridiculously addicting gambling can be. But where does the line get drawn?

 

He obviously wasn't grounded enough as a kid.

Seriously, people need to get over this culture of victimization thing.

 

I think it was a woman, but still, she's got no shot in hell to win here.

 

It's never anyone's fault, is it?

 

It's the Indians' fault, at least in some states.

 

They should give him the money - he'll owe them $40 million by the next week.

 

It is a she, by the way.

 

OK. Substitute him for her and he'll for she'll and my point remains ...

 

I'm really glad this thread wasn't started by my brother.

Kid's turning 27 one month from yesterday. He's finally about to graduate college after having to work to put himself through with little money borrowed. He's one of those guys who always seems to have everything fall his way -- I describe it as 'he could fall in a mud puddle and come up with a $100 bill in his mouth' -- and so he hasn't really ever mastered having to deal with consequences.

He calls me last week, nervous, quiet and kind. Admits he fucked up. He tried to stop gambling. He hadn't bet on games in some time. He used to go to Keeneland not only for live racing, but also for simulcasts. He would have money on all the big horse races, some of the small ones, and most college games. I don't know if he ever got into the pros, and I don't want to know. But he had mostly stayed away, until a couple weeks ago. Put down a couple "small bets" because he wanted money to "do stuff." Well, about six days later, he was in the hole about $1200 to a bookie.

He needed my help because my parents are broke. They've declared bankruptcy in the past. I'm terrible with cash, but my mom told him maybe I could help. He had given the guy the $400 he had, but he had to give him the other $750 by last Monday because the guy 'knew where he lived and what he drove.' I was headed home two days later, so I took a $1,000 loan out of my 401K with the agreement he would send me $50 a paycheck until it was paid off, AND he would attend at least one Gamblers Anonymous meeting a week assuming it didn't clash with his schedule (he's working full time in addition to going to school).

So yes, gambling is no joke. And I've told him I know he doesn't choose to do these things, that it's an addiction...but he's got to get help. It's not something he can do in passing.

If he ever filed a lawsuit, however? I'd kick his ass myself.

 

I hope you're right. But remember the idiot who was scalded by McDonald's coffee and won millions because of no warning label.

 

He was on his way to the bathroom, they are all the way in the back of the damn place

 

Jeesh. Maybe I should try this after the beating I took last night.

Dropped $250 on one hand, when some ass clown decided my all-in wasn't enough to get him off his gut-shot straight draw that he called after the flop with only $258 to his name and somehow sucked out on me on the River. F'n piece of shit.
The drive home was a lonely one.