Gambling Addiction in Australia

Lthrowaway2414125 on 06/04/2023 - 18:00
Last edited 06/04/2023 - 18:19 by 2 other users

Hey all, long time lurker but have created an account to discuss this topic and how bad it affects others.

For context, I've been in the dark hole that is gambling and with Australia as one of the worst gambling countries in the world I've found it hard to stop. I've lost over $20k betting on anything from sports to horses to greyhounds, and I can't seem to stop emptying out my bank account every paycheck. I've installed apps like Gamban, and self excluded but there seems to be another bookmaker popping up everyweek. It has gotten to the point where I have no money left to spend on outings and the sickness that it has caused makes me feel sick. I can easily throw away a few thousand to bookmakers, but cannot even justify at couple hundred on clothes, shoes, necessities for myself. All I think about is gambling and it has ruined and skewed my perception of reality and money.

I am self aware of how much of a sickness it is, and am open to the harsh criticism I may receive, but was wondering if any users have overcome this sick disease or have any advice to give.

Gaming

Comments

    • freefall101 on 06/04/2023 - 23:37
      +3

      Nevada is a massive shithole. That NSW is better than a shithole isn't really a glowing recommendation.

      Gambling is horrible in Australia. Our state governments are addicted to it, money from overseas criminals flows through it to clean it (Crown was literally flying in rich money launderers on an Interpol watchlist and the government accepted Crown vouching for their visas, yet seemingly no one really cares), the entire sporting industry is funded by the huge amounts of money flowing through it and it just ruins lives. No normal country lets every second pub be full of the things and operate with so few restrictions.

      When it comes to gambling, Australia is as corrupt as (profanity). But then it's like everything. First thing that happened when Dutton said he was going to oppose the voice, oil and gas lobby groups came out supporting him. Because one of the biggest risks to their drilling is native land titles and having the Voice would give them, well, a voice to oppose it.

  • Bafranz on 06/04/2023 - 18:09

    "In 2015–16, gambling revenue made up 7.7% of state and territory taxation revenue."

    It's probably definitely more now

    • MrThing on 07/04/2023 - 06:27

      for now

  • try2bhelpful on 06/04/2023 - 18:09
    +13

    Fortunately I haven’t fallen into the grip of this awful affliction. You have my sympathy. It is easy to be judgemental when you aren’t the one affected.

    All I can suggest is your go to the Gamblers anonymous meetings. Talk to people who are in the best position to help you.

    https://gaaustralia.org.au/

    My best wishes on you beating this.

  • pegaxs on 06/04/2023 - 18:11
    +10

    As someone who worked in the gambling industry, you need to get to professional help. You need to seek out someone who has expertise in helping with gambling addiction. This doesn’t include internet strangers or friends and not the installing of apps.

    A good start is at least acknowledging you have an issue and open to the idea of seeking help, you just need to take that next step and get to the right people that can help.

    Depending on what state you are in, there will be a gamblers help line. This is a great jumping off point to begin your journey to getting the real help you need.

    Gambling help online is a great place to start. You can pick your state and it will give you organizations to contact in your state. Or you can give them a call; 1800 858 858 and speak with someone (24/7) who will give you all the info you need and put you on the right course.

  • DashCam AKA Rolts on 06/04/2023 - 18:14
    +3

    with Australia as one of the worst gambling countries in the world

    Bet it's not.

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 06/04/2023 - 18:19
      +3

      What’s it paying?

      (Put me down for $100)

    • Muzeeb on 06/04/2023 - 18:20
      +3

      That makes more cents. Cheers

    • Bafranz on 06/04/2023 - 18:20
      +1

      I'll bet 365, don't mind a sports bet.. put it on my tab

  • nomoneynoproblems on 06/04/2023 - 18:28
    +7

    Mate nothing to criticise and fwiw I wish you the best on your journey. it’s a terrible affliction that can absolutely ruin lives. I hope you get the help you need 👍

    • Muzeeb on 06/04/2023 - 18:30
      +2

      Great advice but username reduces credibility.

  • spackbace on 06/04/2023 - 18:33
    +5

    Try as much self-exclusion as you can. Get a dumb phone so you don't have easy online access, setup blocks at the router level to gambling sites etc

  • Leadfoot6 on 06/04/2023 - 18:37
    +1

    Try to absorb the truism that "the house always wins".

    It is irrefutable logic unless, of course, you have a guaranteed access to an infallible tipster.

    Not many do.

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 06/04/2023 - 18:53

      Me : don’t worry boys I got a tip

      The boys: here we f****** go - oh what the hell, what’s the tip?

  • 7ekn00 on 06/04/2023 - 19:09

    In the short term, swap one addition for a less harmful one (start making tik toks for the dopamine hit of "likes" instead of "wins", start gaming and get the dopamine hit from "wins" or "achievements" - just avoid loot boxes as they mimick gambling pretty similarly, etc)

  • ihbh on 06/04/2023 - 21:58

    Learn probability. Don't take any bet with expected value <= 1.

    If you're not doing this mental calculation each time before you start, then don't do it. You've got no chance.

    • MrThing on 07/04/2023 - 06:28

      You would never get married if you worked on odds like that

      • ihbh on 07/04/2023 - 06:55

        You mean women would never get married.

  • Vulgar on 07/04/2023 - 07:13

    You need to get rid of any potential temptations given your lack of self-control. Not sure how effective but maybe only use cash for a while and get rid of all debit/credit cards to prevent yourself from gambling online. Alternative allow someone you trust to control your finances.

  • Sinnerator on 07/04/2023 - 08:29

    Get a trustee to handle your finances preferably when that won't charge you too much,
    AND
    Surround yourself with people/friends who will disable you from gambling.

  • rakerr on 07/04/2023 - 12:59
    +2

    And OZbargain is displaying a Betting Site advert. Hmm OzB I expected better.

    • try2bhelpful on 07/04/2023 - 13:21

      It is the automated ad algorithms, I once read an article in The Age on abusive behaviour in private schools and there was an ad for a private school at the side. I thought it was hilarious.

      • rakerr on 07/04/2023 - 23:45

        That and this is funny. I just thought it's in OZbs control if they allow gambling sites to advertise on there platform.

        • try2bhelpful on 08/04/2023 - 07:01

          Interesting question for the moderators.

  • Nillionaire on 07/04/2023 - 22:50

    You will not win. Give up. And even if you win, you will chase a higher high and lose it all. Give up. Even if you stop gambling after hitting a jackpot, there's a high chance of you screwing up your life and losing it all and your mind. Give up.

    Work hard, buy all your essential stuff and stuff that will improve your QoL, save the rest, invest sensibly and treat yourself. Get satisfaction from looking at your savings and being able to treat yourself consistently and peace of mind. Gambling will not give you that.

  • Ninternet on 08/04/2023 - 11:16

    Instead of all the generic advice of people telling you to "just stop it lol", I'd recommend the hard path, which is ultimately more fulfilling.

    Firstly, try and not be alone too much in the early stage of 'quitting'. Addiction creeps up when you're vulnerable and having people around and engaged can prevent the temptation to slip into the mindless and easy habits that addiction creates.

    Secondly I'd highly recommend seeking out some sort of talk therapy. The only problem is that this can be expensive. If you can't afford this, talk about your issue with other people you trust and feel safe with. Addiction often takes the place of a greater purpose in life. A lot of this has its roots back to childhood, the quality of our relationships and unmet needs that we fill with different 'highs' like those that come from drugs, alcohol, gambling, pornography, etc. Learn about yourself and you can begin making steps towards healthier behaviours. This will be HARD. Don't kid yourself into thinking this will be easy.

    Third, if you can't find or afford a therapist, the best thing you can do for free is get into a mindfulness or meditation practice. There are many free options for this. Most accessible is YouTube. Being still, learning to observe your thoughts, urges and sensations without judgement can slowly bring back a sense of self-control and autonomy as well as create a great calmness. This, too, takes time. Studies have shown frequent practice of meditation can increase gray matter in the brain and strengthen the parts associated with will-power.

    Fourth, try keeping a journal that is for your eyes only where you write down your experiences with the addiction, when you feel the urges, what may have triggered them, how you feel and what you did, etc. Then try and incorporate aspects of gratitude into this process (this may feel difficult and even somewhat gross at first, but can retrain your brain into being appreciative rather than fearful which is where a lot addiction festers).

    Feel free to send me a DM if you need. I'm no expert, but I've done a lot of research and utilised a lot of these things for myself - albeit with different addictions.

  • pandora on 08/04/2023 - 12:46

    I just spent an hour writing you a dm about a relatives successful battle with gambling addiction. Seems you have new messages turned off? If you are interested just DM me and I’ll send it to you. Cheers.

  • FujiFruit on 09/04/2023 - 10:03

    I think you should give your atm card to someone u can trust and pay your bills online and withdraw enough cash for the week to eat and just do everything online eg grocery online shopping . That way you won’t touch your card. If you don’t have anyone to give card to then just break it and don’t use it .

  • [Deactivated] on 09/04/2023 - 10:11

    For context, I've been in the dark hole that is gambling and with Australia as one of the worst gambling countries in the world I've found it hard to stop.

    Easily fixed - move to another country

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