Are Responsible Gamblers Still Misunderstood?

[Barikui1]

Stop wasting your precious time in gambling if you want to live a peaceful life.......

How do you respond to people who say this or think this way about gambling?

If such a statement is directed to me by anyone, I will tell the person that I understand his concerns towards me, but gambling is not as bad as he thinks. Gambling is not a bad practice if you are gambling responsible, and the best way to do that is to gamble for fun, with what you can afford to lose, that way you will hardly runs into trouble.

Why most people sees gambling as a bad practice is because of those that has been addicted to it, and it's because they treat gambling as a means of making money, that's why they get addicted to it easily, but if you are gambling responsibly, their is no way you are going to get addicted while gambling.

[ZeroVinsonN]

You simply shut the person down peacefully, one thing we cannot deny is that alot of people have lost so much to gambling so when people worry about you fox being a gambler they are simply looking out for you, if they decide that they are not going to listen to your side then you have nothing else to explain, if they are not close to you then their opinion doesn't really matter much to you so you can as well ignore them, you don't owe them an explanation if they don't matter to you.

[AHOYBRAUSE]

I think there is a misunderstanding for sure since there is a difference between degen gambling and taking a smart/systematic approach. This only goes for sports betting of course since on casino games you don't really have an edge, even with a good bankroll management or whatever. In sports you can get so many informations that have an influence on the game. If you do the necessary studying instead of making blind bets you can increase your chance exponentially. Playing in the casino of course only requires a clear mind and doesn't lose focus. What you do though has no impact on what the result will be.

[goldkingcoiner]

I will tell the person that he is right, but I will further it with saying that I am only doing it for fun and that I always advise people to do it for fun and not a way of making money. Gambling addiction is not good, I do not want anyone to be in such situation, so I will see what the person said to be true, but we have exceptions.

This is something I can wholeheartedly agree with.

I gamble with tiny miniscule amounts of money and budget my gambling funds so that even if I wanted to, I could not lose more money than I planned when entering the casino. It also takes a lot of self-discipline, which most people do not have and do not wish to learn.

People tell me there is no such thing as gambling for fun, but I think they are the same people who lose control and go all-in, lose their retirement fund and then try to blame responsible gamblers.

[Fortify]

Stop wasting your precious time in gambling if you want to live a peaceful life.......

How do you respond to people who say this or think this way about gambling?

I know most of us here are gamblers, but what if one day someone close to you says this, maybe your family or friends. And let’s say you are a gambler who has not faced any serious problem from gambling, and you believe you are a responsible gambler.

Would you try to educate them and explain that not all gamblers are addicted or irresponsible? Or would you just ignore it because they already have a fixed mindset about gambling?

For me, I think it depends on the person. If they are just concerned about me, I would probably explain my side calmly. I would tell them that I understand why they think that way, because gambling has ruined many people’s lives. But at the same time, not everyone who gambles is destroying their life.

Some people gamble for fun, with limits, and without using money meant for important things. But if the person is already closed-minded and only wants to judge, then maybe there is no need to argue. Sometimes it is better to let your actions prove that you are still in control.

I don't think people are saying this at all, at least not out of the blue unless you're clearly deep into a problem. Even if they are, when you're just a casual gambler doing it for fun and using your own money then it is none of anyone elses business how you spend it. If you're hearing this off close friends and family on a regular basis though, be careful because you might actually be lying to yourself about having a problem. No one likes to be the fool and casinos are traps designed to take money from users, so there is a chance that you're in so deep with a highly ingrained habit that you refuse to acknowledge or give up on something that is going to chew through all your money. Take a step back and reassess whether that's the case.

[Bluedrem]

In fact, if those who have low income and cannot earn enough money to support their families gamble and lose, they become more depressed and start blaming themselves that they are responsible for losing money. But in most cases, they cannot forget the illusion of losing money and gamble more and more with the intention of recovering the lost money.
However, for those who have a lot of income and a sufficient amount of discretionary income, the situation is the opposite, although they may gamble for fun and if this game is limited to a small amount of money, then they are not disappointed.

[ruykeri]

A gambler should not gamble so aggressively and irresponsibly that his family or close people take it negatively. If the main earner and responsible person of a family gambles responsibly for entertainment purposes, in that case, if he does not have any problem in fulfilling his family responsibilities, then his family will naturally not have any negative thoughts about this type of gambling. Again, there are some gamblers who gamble but do not share it with anyone or let them understand. They gamble by keeping the matter secret. But as long as someone gambles responsibly, there will be no problem. But if someone becomes addicted, then his family will definitely understand the kind of financial loss he will suffer. Then they will be told to stay away from this type of gambling addiction. I personally think that if gambling for entertainment purposes is viewed negatively in society and in the family, then it is better to keep it secret.

[OsaiEmma]

Stop wasting your precious time in gambling if you want to live a peaceful life.......

How do you respond to people who say this or think this way about gambling?

I know most of us here are gamblers, but what if one day someone close to you says this, maybe your family or friends. And let’s say you are a gambler who has not faced any serious problem from gambling, and you believe you are a responsible gambler.

Would you try to educate them and explain that not all gamblers are addicted or irresponsible? Or would you just ignore it because they already have a fixed mindset about gambling?

For me, I think it depends on the person. If they are just concerned about me, I would probably explain my side calmly. I would tell them that I understand why they think that way, because gambling has ruined many people’s lives. But at the same time, not everyone who gambles is destroying their life.

Some people gamble for fun, with limits, and without using money meant for important things. But if the person is already closed-minded and only wants to judge, then maybe there is no need to argue. Sometimes it is better to let your actions prove that you are still in control.

First of, I'll acknowledge their concern and advice, I mean, it's only someone who have ur best interest at heart will want to give u an advice. I won't just dismiss their concern or feelings towards it, so as u said I'll try explaining my side, if they are still so fixated in their narrow view, I'll let it go.

But if they're being really judgemental, I ain't engaging with them cause, they're just trying to gain a high moral ground, and make me feel low. But if they come with good intentions, I certainly will engage in a discussion.

[giammangiato]

Stop wasting your precious time in gambling if you want to live a peaceful life.......

Whoever says this is right, you cannot deny the evidence of the facts in the face of reason.
But as long as I don't do any damage and ruin my economy I'll keep playing, if I have fun and occasionally manage to get a win that allows me to keep playing that's fine.
From the moment the situation becomes "dangerous" for the family economy I will immediately stop playing the game, it's just a matter of willpower.

[Exitoral]

Stop wasting your precious time in gambling if you want to live a peaceful life.......

Whoever says this is right, you cannot deny the evidence of the facts in the face of reason.
But as long as I don't do any damage and ruin my economy I'll keep playing, if I have fun and occasionally manage to get a win that allows me to keep playing that's fine.
From the moment the situation becomes "dangerous" for the family economy I will immediately stop playing the game, it's just a matter of willpower.

Exactly, that is what people lack. The will power to know when to stop. A very essential character that will save one from destruction. I admire your control you have over yourself. For some others and many more. I can't say same. Everyone should be able to stop when it is necessary.

[Akbarkoe]

[...]
Would you try to educate them and explain that not all gamblers are addicted or irresponsible? Or would you just ignore it because they already have a fixed mindset about gambling?

For me, I think it depends on the person. If they are just concerned about me, I would probably explain my side calmly. I would tell them that I understand why they think that way, because gambling has ruined many people’s lives. But at the same time, not everyone who gambles is destroying their life.

Some people gamble for fun, with limits, and without using money meant for important things. But if the person is already closed-minded and only wants to judge, then maybe there is no need to argue. Sometimes it is better to let your actions prove that you are still in control.

I usually don't get into other people's business about their gambling, whether they're addicted or not, whether they're destroying themselves or not, I'm just apathetic if it doesn't interfere with my quiet life even though we're both gamblers.
But as much as possible I will help if they ask for help to relieve their addiction, this is different, the case he asked me not me who deliberately interfered with their affairs with gambling addiction, this kind of life is much calmer for me in the neighborhood of gamblers.

[Somegory]

You have to make yourself too available for someone to come and say this right in your face, it's only possible when you lost a lot of money and you are screaming out loud or you start to tell people with your own mouth, that is when they will talk in your face.

Irresponsible or responsible, make sure you are living a privacy life, if something happens it's only those that are very close to you deserves to know, they will correct you with good manners.

Gambling is something that should be kept private, if you are into gambling and no one knows about it, there won't be reason for anyone trying to judge you or anything.

[TheUltraElite]

The gamblers who are responsible and the ones who are irresponsible make no difference to the common man on the ground.

It ultimately comes down to the mindset of the player who is thinking. Become true to your own self and you shall be happy. Ultimately what others say does not matter. Now if it is coming from a close family member whom you cannot ignore, then you need to avoid them altogether and pick on them whenever you make a profit if you do so. Eventually just distance yourself from them.

[Frankolala]

If it's someone close, I will take my time to explain and give reasons or facts. If it's just some random person, I wouldn't talk much but still throw one or two light on the matter. There are people that no matter how you take your time to explain to them about something, they wouldn't accept yours because they have already concluded their mind gamblers that irresponsible people and there's nothing you can do to convince them.

[Dr.Bitcoin_Strange]

I don't waste my precious time gambling, so there's no body that will tell me this kind of thing because a lot of them do not even know whether I gamble or not because IMT not living with them but rather on my own, even when I'm with family, they won't see me gambling, would they have to open my phone to check if am a gambler or not? Of course no, so I'm not doing an explanation to anyone. It's probably someone that is partially addicted to gambling that can be noticed be receiving such cautioning words from anyone.

[purple_sparkles]

 I don’t think it’s a good idea to tell everyone about gambling. Some people, because of their beliefs and values, simply do not accept this form of entertainment, and that is their right. There is no need to flaunt your hobbies in front of them like waving a red flag at a bull. If you respect their views, things will usually go much more smoothly.
If your family or close friends disapprove of your gambling, and it is only a harmless pastime that does not cause any problems, you can simply choose not to involve them in that part of your life. However, if gambling is causing difficulties or becoming a problem, then it is worth listening to the concerns of your loved ones and taking steps to change the situation.

[LastKiss]

~snip~
Would you try to educate them and explain that not all gamblers are addicted or irresponsible? Or would you just ignore it because they already have a fixed mindset about gambling?

This is the reason why I don’t tell other people about my gambling habit because many people already think that all gamblers bring bad things, such as stealing other people’s money, being unable to control their emotions which leads to anger, wasting too much time instead of doing something productive and so on. I won’t argue with them by saying that there are responsible gamblers out there because they will just fight back using all the bad news about gamblers shown by the media.

So that's why I prefer to gamble in private where no one bothers me while I gamble and I don’t have to hear either good or bad comments from them. Gambling is one of my hobbies which is why I only gamble when I have free time. If I don’t have free time then I won’t force myself to gamble.

[SFR10]

Stop wasting your precious time in gambling if you want to live a peaceful life.......

How do you respond to people who say this or think this way about gambling?

If I were to respond, I'd say they have a point, but it's worth noting that depending on the type of games someone chooses to gamble ^{[e.g., sports betting over casino games]} and having enough control over their emotions ^{[e.g., easier with strict bankroll limits]}, they can continue to gamble while being in a relaxed state.

[Fivestar4everMVP]

I don't waste my precious time gambling, so there's no body that will tell me this kind of thing because a lot of them do not even know whether I gamble or not because IMT not living with them but rather on my own, even when I'm with family, they won't see me gambling, would they have to open my phone to check if am a gambler or not? Of course no, so I'm not doing an explanation to anyone. It's probably someone that is partially addicted to gambling that can be noticed be receiving such cautioning words from anyone.

If you are ever a gambler, at a point, someone must know, it doesn't have to be a family member but likely a tight friend, except you are like me who don't have or keep friends, and for over ten years I got married to my wife and already have three kids, neither my wife or kids have ever seen me gambling, and till now, my wife believes I am not a gambler.

But then, I won't say that no body at all knows I'm a gambler because there are definitely some people I've told that I gamble, but this people are usually gamblers too, you can never find me telling a non gambler that I gamble, never.
And the reason why I even reveal to fellow gamblers that I myself gamble once in a while is simply for connection and gisting sake, when ever gamblers gather, and are gisting, sharing their gambling experiences and having fun, I like to share my own experiences too, and this is when I usually will reveal I gamble too, but never if my wife or any family member is there.

[Slow death]

It's always good to hear criticism and opinions from other people, because it helps us become better people. In this case, I would listen attentively and then tell the person how much time I spend playing and if, after hearing that, they would still give me the same advice. If so, I would thank them and tell them that the moment I exceed the hours I usually play and the small amount I usually spend, I will listen to their advice immediately and stop playing. But until that day comes, I will continue playing responsibly and see the game as entertainment.