The Daily Flier

DO YOU HAVE A GAMBLING PROBLEM?

A successful professional gambler -- there are not many -- is someone who gambles to make a living. Professional gamblers can be young, middle-aged, or elderly; they can be male or female; they can belong to any racial group, and they may or may not have a formal education. What separates the professional gambler from others are a few traits like discipline, restraint and the ability to understand and properly assess risks. Professional gamblers wait until the odds are in their favor, and always make their wagers on games where skill is involved, rather than chance.

A pro will not be guilty of "chasing", which can be defined as an attempt to make up losses through yet more gambling. It usually involves making larger bets and taking even greater risks than normal. For example, you spend all evening studying the race card and come up with several betting opportunities for the next day. Ahead of time, you probably decide you will bet a certain amount on the first of these opportunities, and then go from there. It is the nature of horse racing that you often lose that first bet, so now you bet a little more on the second opportunity. That may well lose too, and you really up the ante on the third opportunity. If that loses, and you feel that the track now owes you money, you may make wild bets thereafter and probably go home broke. If that describes you, it is virtually certain that you are a pathological gambler, and that is a problem that needs to be addressed.

If you have ever bet the rent or mortgage money, or if you have ever made a loan to continue gambling, if gambling causes you to become depressed, or if gambling has caused you to steal or be dishonest in any other way, you need to face up to the fact that you have a gambling problem. Some gamblers feel shame, or perhaps guilt, because of their gambling activities. They too have a gambling problem. If your significant other is always on your case about gambling, that too is a problem that needs to be resolved.

You probably do not need me to list these symptoms for you; most people with a gambling problem are well aware of it. Why not, then, take another chance, this one with the odds truly in your favor -- get help. The thought of doing that may cause you to become angry, or to feel ashamed. However, there is one thing I can promise you -- things will not get better until you do talk to someone that is experienced in helping people with similar problems. The National Council on Problem Gambling has a page on their web site where you can look up resources in your area. Click HERE to go to that page, and do it right now -- not this evening, tomorrow or next week. It will be a smart move, and one that will make you a true winner, by any definition.

Geoff Rout
April, 2007

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