By Bobbe McGinley, MA, MBA, CCGC, NCGCII, LISAC

Research finds that 2 to 3 percent of the United States population will have a gambling problem in any given year. While these figures may not seem staggering—it amounts to nine million people. Only a fraction of them will seek treatment or recovery programs for help. When gambling causes difficulties in any major area of a person’s life, whether it is social, physical, psychological, vocational, it needs to be addressed.

All In?

For anyone who has watched poker on TV or played the game, the term most associated with it is “all in.” The stakes are high and the number of consistent winners is extremely limited. These two seductive words carry a lot of risk when it comes to gambling addiction. All in to an addict is more than placing all their chips in the pot.

For many it is the beginning to a devastating, expensive end.

As with other addictive behaviors gambling does not discriminate. It can affect females and males of any age, race or religion, regardless of their socioeconomic status.

While it is not possible to predict who will develop a gambling problem, once identified it can be successfully treated.

Compulsive gamblers are not only found in smoky backroom bars or basements — they’re everywhere. It is important to note, not everyone who enjoys a night out at a casino, a Vegas weekend getaway or friendly neighborhood card came will become a gambling addict.

The following is a glimpse into the journey of two casino gamblers’ lives that illustrate their defining moments of despair and lifechanging developments through recovery.

Out on the town

Mike started gambling in a casual way. He was introduced to it as a “right of passage.” It was an outlet for entertainment and excitement. He didn’t see it as a problem because any money gambled was carefully budgeted for; though it wasn’t long before he would venture out alone — solely to gamble.

When his serious play began, Mike was a successful business owner, and considered himself to be an excellent manager of his affairs. Within a year, business revenue began to sink and his motivation to obtain new clients diminished after his largest contract did not renew. The office mail was overflowing with collection notices and letters from attorneys demanding money he owed for other ventures.

When the last of his contracts expired, he was forced to close. All he was left with was massive debt.

It would be years before Mike was able to comprehend how gambling had damaged his livelihood.

Soon after, the family lost their home and his marriage was on the brink, so Mike took refuge at casinos.

Gambling became his escape from the real world. With a compulsion to win at any cost, his financial problems were mounting.

Every little thing that bothered him triggered the urge to get back what he had lost. “My luck is sure to change,” he often told himself.

Pocketful of Lies

Desperate for money, he managed to open a few pre-approved high interest credit cards. Cash advances were used to finance his gambling and he borrowed money from one card to pay another, in the hopes of keeping them active. Within months all his cards were maxed out. It was catching up with him.

Forced to maintain peace at home, he attended a few Gambler’s Anonymous meetings and was abstinent for four months.

But the lure of the big win became an obsession.

He was under the illusion by placing smaller wagers he could keep playing— but as his bets increased... so did the losses.

One night he returned home to find his wife waiting at the door with an ultimatum: gambling or their marriage. Halfheartedly he returned to GA, but like many addicts it wasn’t long before he convinced himself he was cured. He was back at the tables. Depressed and despondent he had thoughts of ending his life. That day he placed his last bet.

Five years “off the bet,” Mike still has occasional urges. Treatment and therapy have taught him how divert them successfully. He continues to work on his relationship to his addiction. His wife and children receive support through Gam-Anon. While there is no cure for the disease of gambling, today Mike’s efforts are all in for his recovery. He realizes how close he came to losing it all.

A one armed hold-up

Kristine recalls her fondness for slot machines. “I realized early on I was hooked. I’m addicted to a specific machine, and at one time had mastered a special way of pushing the buttons with certain fingers.

When my troubles began I was living in an area with limited public transportation. I didn’t drive so I didn’t venture out to casinos too much. But as I look back, it’s been a constant battle for me not to gamble for years.

Five years ago I relocated to a different part of the country and managed to place myself in the direct path of a casino.
While it wasn’t within walking distance, it was easy enough to get there. It seemed everyone driving in that direction had the same destination in mind, so I usually hitched a ride.

And whenever I was in the main section of town, I would see the flashing sign of the casino, calling my name, overpowering me with a craving to play.

Pay days and weekends were most difficult.

“Am I going to play tonight or not?”

Before I knew what happened, I was back with my dear friend — the pyramid machine.

The most difficult part was going home to my 15-year old daughter and hearing the question I didn’t want to answer, ‘“How much this time?”’ The pain of seeing the look of hurt and anger in her eyes still stings to this day. I was numb to what this was doing to her.

Late last year a dear family friend who has some memory problems came to stay with us. He’s on a fixed income and saves for a yearly vacation. During his visit I took cash right out of his wallet, thinking he’d never know. Much to my shame, within a few days

I lost my money and all of his. How could I be capable of such a despicable act?

The only good thing to come out of that experience was it got me through the doors of my first Gambler’s Anonymous meeting. I found the courage to tell the group what I had done and how against my values this behavior was. The members suggested I consider getting self-excluded from the casinos as a way to ensure my commitment not to gamble. It was the turning point in my life. I have no more secrets. I’ve taken the steps to safeguard myself. The more involved in recovery I become, the more my commitment grows to stay abstinent. Today I have hope.”
Get help

If you or someone you know needs help, contact the California Council on Problem Gambling. Problem Gambling Helpline:

1-800-FACTS-4-U or 1-800-322-8748. National Council on Problem Gambling at 1-800-522-4700 or www.gamblersanonymous.org.

Reprinted with permission from California Together Newspaper.