A 22-year-old Ontario resident shared his redemption story with the CBC, explaining how a losing $25 bet spiraled into a $14,000 loss in one night last year. He wished to remain anonymous due to concerns about future employment, given his past struggles.
After losing the initial $25 bet on a hockey game in which the Montreal Canadiens lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs, he attempted to recoup his losses by playing blackjack on an online casino app.
“We’re drinking and having fun, but … every time I go to the washroom, I’m trying to make the money back that I’ve lost — and I’m kind of just digging myself a deeper and deeper hole,” he said.
The night ended at home, where he lost the last $2,000 in his account.
“I felt really alone, honestly, and not really sure what I would do with myself,” he said. “I feel like I’ve let myself down, but I’ve also let my loved ones down, my girlfriend and my parents.”
The Center for Addictions and Mental Health in Toronto helped him turn things around, with weeks of therapy that often involved group sessions with other recovering gamblers. He hasn’t made a bet in more than a year.
“I think I always knew in the back of my mind that … eventually the house wins,” he said.
Don’t Give Up: Recovery is Possible
A study from Mental Health Research Canada last year found that 9.1% of active Canadian bettors have a problem gambling disorder.
Ottawa resident Noah Vineberg shared his redemption story with CasinoBeats. The recovering gambling addict burned through $1 million betting mostly on sports. Vineberg provided some words of wisdom for others struggling with addiction:
If I could go back and speak to myself on the day I almost quit, I’d say: You have no idea what lies ahead, but you know you want to be the one who makes it happen, and you will never forgive yourself if you walk away from it. My message to anyone struggling is this: empathy is everything. The hardest things you’ll do will also be the most rewarding. The simple path will always lead to disappointment. Recovery is the greatest gift you’ll ever give yourself. Hold it close. Respect it. Don’t take it for granted.
The power of these stories can provide hope for others. Another anonymous UK bettor told CasinoBeats a story similar to that of his Canadian counterpart.
“I lost all that £10,000 and then about another £10,000,” he said. “The biggest thing was chasing losses. I would gamble on sports, and if I lost my bets, I would go to the online casino and play blackjack or roulette, hoping to win it back. Then I’d lose on them and keep gambling more to get it back.”
His story also had a happy ending.
“I searched on the internet for ways to get out of debt,” he said. “Then I found these things called Debt Management Plans. I contacted StepChange, and they were great. They contacted my banks, froze the interest on my loans, and I set up a repayment plan.”
CasinoBeats believes it’s important to regularly share these tales of redemption because recovery is possible. Don’t give up or be afraid to ask for help.
Editor’s note: The National Problem Gambling Helpline
is 1-800-522-4700. It serves as a resource for individuals who may be struggling with problem gambling or gambling addiction, or their loved ones.
The post From a Small Defeat to a $14K Spiral: Ontario Bettor Shares Recovery Story appeared first on CasinoBeats.
