Am I a bad father for letting my daughter gamble?

[bitzizzix]

Don't compare your daughter with you and also because of your family factors that caused you to become a gambler or even you were once a gambling addict but you managed to fix it. Don't you see yourself before, and don't you think if your daughter is addicted like you and other negative things that can harm your daughter that you should know and this should be a lesson that you should think about so that all that does not happen to your child and be a good father to your children. And there is a saying that many parents say when they feel like they are bad parents in any way and think don't let my badness happen or spread to their children and you should have a motto like this because gambling always has many negative sides, especially if she is a woman who will have great responsibility for her children when she is married.

[sunsilk]

I know most of you might think I’m an irresponsible gambler after reading this. But let me share a bit of my story first....

I started gambling when I was around 10 years old, IIRC. It was because of family influence, and yes I eventually got addicted. Hard to admit, but it’s the truth. over time though, I’ve seen some positive outcomes from my gambling experience. I became wiser, more calculated, and a bigger risk-taker and I was able to apply that mindset in running my own business.

Now, I’m a father, and my 17-year-old daughter is starting to gamble too playing slots and even doing some sports betting. I don’t know how to feel, part of me feels oddly proud of what she’s doing.

What does that make me?

Maybe she just sees what you're doing and now that she's near to the legal age, she's thinking that what her father does might be totally fine to do as well.

We can judge you easily by saying you're a bad father but who am I to judge if I am aware that I am bad as well in some other things.

Well, just talk to her and tell her about the risk and influence that it can do to her if she won't stop playing slots soon.

[Makus]

I know most of you might think I’m an irresponsible gambler after reading this. But let me share a bit of my story first....

I started gambling when I was around 10 years old, IIRC. It was because of family influence, and yes I eventually got addicted. Hard to admit, but it’s the truth. over time though, I’ve seen some positive outcomes from my gambling experience. I became wiser, more calculated, and a bigger risk-taker and I was able to apply that mindset in running my own business.

Now, I’m a father, and my 17-year-old daughter is starting to gamble too playing slots and even doing some sports betting. I don’t know how to feel, part of me feels oddly proud of what she’s doing.

What does that make me?

The second to last paragraph got me laughing about the whole story, you shouldn't be proud of your daughter gambling, you should be more concerned with the future, what if she becomes addicted and beside 17 years is not the approved age of gambling so she shouldn't be gambling also long as she is not yet 18+ it's the duty of a parent to protect their children and giving them too much of privilege to abuse might be the biggest regrets will come to realize as time goes by. It's best to talk her out of gambling because it's not a good way to start a promising future. Besides your experience should have exposed you to how dangerous addiction is.

[Ishicryptic]

.
What does that make me?

Fact here is that peoples opinions aren't going to change a thing.. you can't call your self a bad father just because a down line of yours picked up from you. Yes it's not a good thing to gamble at that age, but children tends to watch their parents over time and learn from them. Some might just be traits that grew with them and you just didn't take note because they were little... Now that your kid is starting to gamble m, if you don't want that for her, you can talk her out of it and present the dangers that comes it gambling at a young age. Or you can guide her with your years of experience to become better at a good age...

I understand the OP perspective while watching his daughter gambling at an early age, it is because he started young and is able to remain a responsibly gambler till today. Although he cannot guarantee if his daughter will end up becoming a responsible gambler like him because he was able to control his but if he sees her as a strong willed child he can educate her about responsible gambling. I don't encourage underaged gambling, if I were him I can rather advice her to grow up more before engaging in gambling but of cause he knows his daughter better than the rest of us.

[DaNNy001]

A 17 year old gambling is not really something that's good to hear, even if gambling rules allows 18 and above to gamble I don't even support it because I feel like a lot of 18 year olds are not mentally capable of handling the pressure that comes with gambling....I would advice you to caution your kid if you can before it becomes an addiction, she's too young to be exposed to such a lifestyle

[doomloop]

There is nothing bad about gambling, although I am a little surprised by the story you shared about yourself letting your daughter get involved in gambling, but in essence gambling will not have too bad an impact on someone when they treat it wisely in the sense of being careful such as always applying limits especially to the money allocated.

So even though I think this is a pretty terrible situation especially for the future of a child I just hope that you can always teach your daughter responsible and wise gambling, my advice is to always supervise her especially when playing slots.

I really amazed after reading your reply here with this mindset but still I have to be agreed with you on few points because difference of culture and mindset always helps to grow kids as they are having around in western countries now many things are going into good level.

Just because of this mostly kids are having good confidence and better growth but still they needed some good care from parents because gambling is always needed to be gone through with responsibility which is never been easy for anyone here in other region of the world no one can think about this because life is not open like this where OP is living. I am not going to create any argue about this but still it's never been ideal situation when a girl or kid at the age of 17 entering into gambling because this usually have negative impact which can create problems for his future.

[Kagaru]

A 17 year old gambling is not really something that's good to hear, even if gambling rules allows 18 and above to gamble I don't even support it because I feel like a lot of 18 year olds are not mentally capable of handling the pressure that comes with gambling....I would advice you to caution your kid if you can before it becomes an addiction, she's too young to be exposed to such a lifestyle

Sure, you are absolutely right. Some-time it is 18 however, I believe quite a few of the people who are that age do not know what they are getting into. Gambling can play with your mind and feelings most especially when you are losing. Most individuals are not mature or mature enough at the age of 17 or 18 to be put on that pressure. Of course, it is much better to tell children that they should not behaving like that and offer them to find some more healthier means of releasing stress or excitement before it becomes a serious issue.

[alastantiger]

Now, I’m a father, and my 17-year-old daughter is starting to gamble too playing slots and even doing some sports betting. I don’t know how to feel, part of me feels oddly proud of what she’s doing.
What does that make me?

You're a good father don't think any less of yourself because there are some fathers that are doing things more worse than allowing their children to start gambling at a young age. You're concerned because you care about your daughter and she should be proud of having you because you won't allow anything to happen to her. My Advice would be to channel that desire she has into something different and maybe when she gets older and want to still be gambling than that's her decision to make. Assuming she isn't doing it in a way that's going to affect her in future but she's being wise about the way she goes about gambling then you don't have to be worried much. Maybe she's interested in making her own money, teach her other means to achieve that.

[Hispo]

...

Now, I’m a father, and my 17-year-old daughter is starting to gamble too playing slots and even doing some sports betting. I don’t know how to feel, part of me feels oddly proud of what she’s doing.

What does that make me?

You need to talk with your daughter about the fact she continues to be legally an underage and should not be gambling, but rather being productive and studying, not allowing gambling to be part of her life at such young age.
Also, you should talk to her about many of the downsides of this industry and how casinos and bookies make money and how they are a business, so they have a well-established business model.

It is key you have a clear communication with her about it, because otherwise she may commit the same mistakes you did when you were new to the world of casinos and bookies, and the duty of parents are to teach their children not to commit the same mistakes they did commit.

Good luck and please be careful when comes to gambling and your underage children.

[SOKO-DEKE]

I know most of you might think I’m an irresponsible gambler after reading this. But let me share a bit of my story first....

I started gambling when I was around 10 years old, IIRC. It was because of family influence, and yes I eventually got addicted. Hard to admit, but it’s the truth. over time though, I’ve seen some positive outcomes from my gambling experience. I became wiser, more calculated, and a bigger risk-taker and I was able to apply that mindset in running my own business.

Now, I’m a father, and my 17-year-old daughter is starting to gamble too playing slots and even doing some sports betting. I don’t know how to feel, part of me feels oddly proud of what she’s doing.

What does that make me?

The fact is that I don't know what led your daughter to gambling. Maybe it's because she do see you gamble often and thinks that’s the way out, or perhaps she was influenced by outsiders. If she was influenced by you, I would say that you should be blamed for it. But what you should focus on now is finding a solution to her gambling habits so that she doesn’t later become addicted and get into something worse. Gambling addiction can lead many people into bad situations, like borrowing money, stealing from others, and even leading someone, particularly a girl, into prostitution.

So, it’s important for you to sit her down and educate her about the dangers of gambling. If possible, try to convince her to quit gambling altogether; that would be the best for her. But I want to ask a question: where is she getting money to gamble? Does she have a source of income?

[Akbarkoe]

Gambling is clearly not a good place for your child, his age is indeed quite mature but still it does not guarantee that he will be controlled enough when he is in gambling, there is no guarantee that he will not become addicted to gambling. The age of 17 is very vulnerable, because emotionally and mentally it is still unstable.

In any case you have to try for your daughter not to return to gambling, and avoid it. But of course this will be quite a difficult job, especially if your daughter knows that you also like to gamble and have experienced addiction. It is quite difficult because when you try to educate him, your child will likely twist the facts and eventually corner you. And therefore in several posts I always mention that never gamble in front of your children and tell bad things about you, because this can be an excuse for the child to do the same bad things.

Don't get caught up in stupid things, a form of affection is not only giving him what he wants, but also making prohibitions on things or activities that can harm him and his future.

[khiholangkang]

I know most of you might think I’m an irresponsible gambler after reading this. But let me share a bit of my story first....

I started gambling when I was around 10 years old, IIRC. It was because of family influence, and yes I eventually got addicted. Hard to admit, but it’s the truth. over time though, I’ve seen some positive outcomes from my gambling experience. I became wiser, more calculated, and a bigger risk-taker and I was able to apply that mindset in running my own business.

Now, I’m a father, and my 17-year-old daughter is starting to gamble too playing slots and even doing some sports betting. I don’t know how to feel, part of me feels oddly proud of what she’s doing.

What does that make me?

Gambling is not a good place for her, it would be better if you direct your daughter to more positive things that can improve her skills, help your child to deepen her talents, about how to make a profit or money but not from gambling.

I think I don't need to convey the negative impacts of gambling because you have experienced it and I think you already understand it very well.

There is still a lot of time for you to educate your daughter well, before she is really far from you. Therefore, take your time for your daughter, because in some cases, many teenagers who plunge into the world of gambling are due to lack of attention from their parents.

[rachael9385]

First thing you are going to do is to let her know about the dangers of it,  tell her how gambling addiction can affect her

He has to do it the right way or end up placing her thoughts on an approval ground. 'My dad is cool with me gambling' kind of assurance. Hence, Op, shouldn't front the teen girl in a way that shows he's fine with the development, after that he'd then follow up with his advice on responsible gambling. Limiting the gambler would make the difference, there are numerous ways to achieve this, including moderated internet access, and parental control, then consistent observation of the daughter's gaming ability. However, that doesn't make him a bad dad either.

You are right, there's a way op will talk to his child and she will not listen, but your idea is not also bad, letting her know that gambling addiction will affect her in future both finicaly and mentally. However, restricting her Internet access wouldn't be bad but how sure will the op be that she will not unrestrict her device from accessing gambling sites? The truth is that op need to try his best, but his daughter also need to make an amends for things to work out.

[Rockstarguy]

Now, I’m a father, and my 17-year-old daughter is starting to gamble too playing slots and even doing some sports betting. I don’t know how to feel, part of me feels oddly proud of what she’s doing.

What does that make me?

No parent will be happy to see their child gamble at this age because she is still a teenager, and if I am not mistaken, she only depends on her parents for income. It is very risky for a teenager who does not have any income to gamble because it is possible for teenagers to develop the wrong mindset about gambling. Gambling as a teenager without any source of income can make one desperate to win money, which can turn someone into an addicted gambler. Therefore, it is important for you to get close to your daughter and have that father-daughter conversation; she might listen to you and make a change.

[Lida93]

What does that make me?

First, I will say, it makes you a good father to be aware that she's your responsibility to groom in the right way she should go as a teenager.

Now, I want to believe that your daughter might have been watching you gambling while she was growing up and it's no lie that she may have taken the trait from you. All I can advise you, is that you don't go hard on her. Talk to her like how every good dad and father would talk as best friends, and bring to her knowledge the negativity side of gambling if gone about it with the wrong mindset and intentions. Maybe it might help.

[Ivystar5]

Someone here in the first page made it clear and straight that you're not a responsible dad and I agree with him or those who said so because, as for a minor and someone who grew up to know the bad and good part of gambling letting a minor participate in it is very much irresponsible of you in my honesty opinion. You could do better by letting her know the consequences of gambling and the benefits that it has, however the consequences are more higher than the benefits so it's very obvious that you had a very large role to play in a
her life by not giving her the opportunity to even know your activities in gambling than expose her to the dangers at a young age.

Remember that at this age if she commits a crime she will be treated as a juvenile then you will be held responsible for her crime in most countries.

[Accardo]

You are right, there's a way op will talk to his child and she will not listen, but your idea is not also bad, letting her know that gambling addiction will affect her in future both finicaly and mentally. However, restricting her Internet access wouldn't be bad but how sure will the op be that she will not unrestrict her device from accessing gambling sites? The truth is that op need to try his best, but his daughter also need to make an amends for things to work out.

Aside that she's very close to 18, and soon will be qualified to gamble, her device can be set to use the house Wifi, which Op can restrict to work on specific times, especially when he's at home. They'll be no 100% method to attain full restrictions, yet trying one or two ways will indicate to the girl that the father isn't comfortable with her gambling habit. That's the point, it's left for her to respect the decision of the father, instead of Op doing nothing about it, which might put the girl on a bad shape; mentally and financially.

[|MINER|]

I know most of you might think I’m an irresponsible gambler after reading this. But let me share a bit of my story first....

I started gambling when I was around 10 years old, IIRC. It was because of family influence, and yes I eventually got addicted. Hard to admit, but it’s the truth. over time though, I’ve seen some positive outcomes from my gambling experience. I became wiser, more calculated, and a bigger risk-taker and I was able to apply that mindset in running my own business.

Now, I’m a father, and my 17-year-old daughter is starting to gamble too playing slots and even doing some sports betting. I don’t know how to feel, part of me feels oddly proud of what she’s doing.

What does that make me?

It's just that you started gambling at the age of ten due to the carelessness of your parents, and things are now turning out like this: now, due to your carelessness, your teenage daughter has entered the gambling space.

I'm not saying that gambling is bad or sinful, but gambling while under age and without any income of your own can never be a good sign I think this is a sign of a gambling addiction. In a situation like this, I will tell you one thing, since your daughter is still underage, you should not be proud of her gambling, but rather you should bring her back to the present so that she does not ruin her future and explain to her the moral aspects of gambling, such as when she can start gambling.

[r_victory]

You have gone through the negative side of gambling, the addiction. I am also a father and a gambler, but I do not wish this upon my daughters, and I will not encourage them to do so. They are young at the moment, and they rarely see me gambling, as I usually do it at night, when they are already asleep. I do not judge you, but if I have any advice, do not encourage it, perhaps she does not have the emotional control expected for it. As you said you have your own business, encourage her to do the same, to achieve financial freedom, to reach greater heights than you did. For me, this is what fatherhood is all about, wanting our children to be better and greater than we are.

[Orpichukwu]

Now, I’m a father, and my 17-year-old daughter is starting to gamble too playing slots and even doing some sports betting. I don’t know how to feel, part of me feels oddly proud of what she’s doing.

What does that make me?

The question I have to ask is, your child is 17 years old, which I assumed meant she should still be in school, and the bills are still being paid by either of her parents, or is she making any personal money on her own that we can say that she is using to fund her gambling activity, or are you also the one that's given her money to gamble?

Another thing too is even if she is making her own money, she needs to be patient till she gets to 18 years of age first before she can start gambling, according to the law.