I was having a witty conversation with Kingsley, he checked his phone and his mood suddenly changed. I understood what happened, I know he gambles a lot. However, I also know he wins nothing.
There is a lot associated with gambling, and chronic gamblers should understand the need to stay away from this vice. It is doing a lot of damage to the youths especially; financially, emotionally, socially.
What they put their hope on is that “Someday they will win big.” Sure there are stories of people that that won thousands with just 5 bucks stake. But what is the probability, 99 to 1? For every person that wins, hundreds if not thousands have lost. So when will this huge winning be?
There is nothing so emotionally exhausting as delayed expectations or false hope.
How about the sudden change of mood and feelings? Let us go back to Kingsley. He could be having the best time of his life, but the moment he checks LiveScore, he will turn gloomy.
In football, perhaps he bet on home to win, but away is winning 3 goals to nil in 80 minutes playing time. Or he bet on over 3 goals on the match and they are playing 0-0 in 85 minutes (out of 90 minutes playing time).
Just like that, throughout the day he would remain moody.
“But that is why gamblers are advised to bet with what they can afford to lose”. Excuse me, why should I have money I can afford to lose? I worked for every cent of it! Even millionaires don’t have amounts they can just afford to lose. They understand that is the beginning of a downward spiral to poverty.
Kingsley has recorded no winning throughout the year, and he gambles a couple of times per week. If only he can put that amount that he thinks he can afford to lose in a separate account, instead of gambling it away. At the end of the month, he would have WON. But what more can I say? He still believes he will make his millions, one day.
For every person that gambling makes rich (temporarily), many have been rendered penniless, homeless emotionless and even lifeless. Research has should that about 50,000 people commit suicide each year due to gambling fails.
This vice is gaining traction, mostly due to the rise of internet and technology. Gone are the days when one had to leave the home to place bets. You can do that right from your mobile devices these days.
Serous help is needed for people like Kingsley, but of course they have to admit it to themselves first. I’ll do my own part to help his see and understand the need to seek help.
Hopefully he will make the wise decision.
And if you are thinking of starting your one journey as a gambler, I want to leave you with this quote:
The safest way to double your money is to fold it over once and put it in your pocket.