GAMBLING PROBLEM? - Refference topic for websites that offer help/support

[Jamie_Boulder]

Hi all,

Just going to post a few links here in relation to gambling problems/addiction. If you've suffered something similar in the past, please post your own tips and stories for other Bitcointalk members who are potentially having the same issues.

Also references to good helplines/websites are appreciated, I'll edit them into the topic.

This one here I've personally found very helpful, especially the live advise helpline (I haven't used it but I've recommended it to others who say good things):
https://www.gamblingtherapy.org/

Few others I found via google:
https://www.problemgambling.ca/gambling-help/online-tools/

http://www.helpguide.org/articles/addiction/gambling-addiction-and-problem-gambling.htm

Additionally if you would just like to talk to someone you're more than welcome to shoot me a PM and I'll give you my contact details, I understand how much of a problem gambling can be for some people having seen it first hand and being there to support them through it.


Replies in this thread I deem to be very helpful/need attention:

This is what makes me never gamble/gamble anything but spare change + some thoughts:

1.) Understanding odds to a decent level. As a former professional poker player, i only like to make +ev bets.  I do not consider p2p poker "gambling".  After many years playing poker a roulette wheel or any other house edge game etc hold very little joy for me.

So i would suggest anyone stuck with gambling problem learn the odds in depth.  Dont delude yourself that any 1 bet vs the house is a winner even if you win - its hard because sometimes you do win on a -ev bet and it deceives you.  In a parallel universe you lost.

2.) I like making money.  If you make -ev bets you must like to lose money or something that is the truth of it.   We aren't above needing money to survive so unless you want to self destruct on some level? which you might, you need money.

I know its not this simple but it seems like gamblers want to self destruct?... at least on some level, thats a hard thing to get over, been there and dont have a simple solution because everyone is different with different life set up.  Maybe admitting you are attempting to self destruct when gambling is a good first step vs deluding yourself that a -ev bet means something else.

Its hard to recognize a -ev bet with some things in life but with gambling vs the house its very clear using math measurements only.

[Daanie]

I have a gambling problem and need a little help. I lost over 20k dollars I believe (total). It's not that I gamble myself into trouble, but I do lose a lot of money. I never go to casino's or online casino's anymore but since I found out you can gamble with BTC I'm having another addiction.

Gaming can help me a lot, it means I'm basically moving my addiction elsewhere but gaming gets boring after a while.

I will try out your tools and hopefully it can help me!

[finlon]

Thanks, this should be helpful . I have lost over 20 BTC as well when the price was 1000/btc, and I would degen them. I try and not visit any of the sites even to have a look.

[Jamie_Boulder]

I think a requirement of advertising your website here should be that you have to put a section for gambling support or a reference to a credible helpline. on your casino website.

Just because we're somewhat unregulated doesn't mean everything will all be magically ok, it's a real issue and it needs to be addressed IMO.

Thanks for your posts Deanie & Finlon, hope the links posted helped you out - offer still stands if you need to chat to someone

[Magicman420]

Full blown addict and I hate it.. As the other guy said when I found bitcoins last year it became a whoe new addiction, I gotta stop losing so much .. I'm just always chasing money I lost and just lose more grrrr

[BayAreaCoins]

Only problem I have is when I fckin lose!

[Jamie_Boulder]

Taken from the Primedice thread, if you want to ban yourself from a website please follow the steps listed below:

I have messaged stunna countless times since months now to IP ban me from he's website as I have a some how sort of addiction to the game. Whenever I get bitcoins, I usually lose them to he's site and all he does is ignore the request.

I feel that this is extremely imature and that a gambling website should not treat their customers like this, he talks all about playing fair and everything but when a customer can't control he's self and its behind the scenes from the public. He doesn't give a shit basically if you lose, just ip ban me already jezus.

If you use Linux or a Mac, run this command:

Code:

sudo bash -c "echo \"127.0.0.1     www.primedice.com\" >> /etc/hosts"

Stunna hates what you do that shit, and will instant ban you.


In Windows, the file is at c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts.txt open it as an admin and append the line:

Code:

127.0.0.1     www.primedice.com

and Stunna's wrath will be instant and permanent

Edited the full URL into the commands, credits given to espringe for posting this guide in an attempt to help a community member.

[Sumerian]

What type of command is that?

[Jamie_Boulder]

What type of command is that?

First one is Linux/Mac as mentioned, the second one isn't a command, just the file path and syntax of what to put in the file to achieve the blocked result

[finlon]

There are also some interesting replies here: http://www.reddit.com/r/problemgambling

On how to go about solving gambling issues.

[jjc326]

I think, once a comprehensive guide is made, this should be stickied.

Also, for the person looking to UP ban himself from PD3, you gotta be careful...if you don't address the addiction it will come up in other ways, like on other sites.  Banning yourself from 1 site won't make it better in the long run.

[Jamie_Boulder]

I think, once a comprehensive guide is made, this should be stickied.

Also, for the person looking to UP ban himself from PD3, you gotta be careful...if you don't address the addiction it will come up in other ways, like on other sites.  Banning yourself from 1 site won't make it better in the long run.

I don't think it's possible to make a guide for such a problem, everyone develops an addiction for their own reasons, weather to escape reality, the adrenaline, the love of winning, the 'high' and several more that I don't even know about.

The best we can do is offer our unconditional support.

There are also some interesting replies here: http://www.reddit.com/r/problemgambling

On how to go about solving gambling issues.

Some interesting topics there, thanks for sharing Finlon.

[Xiaoxiao]

I think we've all got a bit of a gambling problem, even those who have never stepped foot in a casino or risked money.  It is human nature if you live in society, because as humans we want to get the most reward with as little work as possible, and when that happens there is a feeling of thrill and ecstasy.  Combine this with the fact that we are risk takers, and gambling becomes part of human nature.

[Jamie_Boulder]

I think we've all got a bit of a gambling problem, even those who have never stepped foot in a casino or risked money.  It is human nature if you live in society, because as humans we want to get the most reward with as little work as possible, and when that happens there is a feeling of thrill and ecstasy.  Combine this with the fact that we are risk takers, and gambling becomes part of human nature.

I disagree, in fact I think you're misinformed about the definition of the term.

Gambling is fun, there's no doubt about that - but when done properly that's all it is and no more
Gambling as a 'problem' is when you're making heavy decisions constantly based on luck hoping for the best and as a result lose friends/family/significant funds or your morale in general.

I suggest you educate yourself about the topic a little more.

[Daanie]

Totally true, some people live on the streets because of their gambling addiction. It's something serious

[xuan87]

sometimes when I fell salary amount just average,
I need something that make it multiply.

Yes, gambling !
But it contains high risk
and I lose so much 
But just don't be addicted and regret for a long time because it will kill you soon !

help reference

[Jamie_Boulder]

sometimes when I fell salary amount just average,
I need something that make it multiply.

Yes, gambling !
But it contains high risk
and I lose so much 
But just don't be addicted and regret for a long time because it will kill you soon !

help reference

You need asses weather it's worth it.

1. Are you losing sleep over your gambling?
2. Is your life significantly more stressful sometimes as a result of gambling?
3. Are you finding it hard to provide yourself with the basics in life? food/cover etc?

Feel free to pm me if you don't want to respond here.

[BitCoinNutJob]

This is what makes me never gamble/gamble anything but spare change + some thoughts:

1.) Understanding odds to a decent level. As a former professional poker player, i only like to make +ev bets.  I do not consider p2p poker "gambling".  After many years playing poker a roulette wheel or any other house edge game etc hold very little joy for me.

So i would suggest anyone stuck with gambling problem learn the odds in depth.  Dont delude yourself that any 1 bet vs the house is a winner even if you win - its hard because sometimes you do win on a -ev bet and it deceives you.  In a parallel universe you lost.

2.) I like making money.  If you make -ev bets you must like to lose money or something that is the truth of it.   We aren't above needing money to survive so unless you want to self destruct on some level? which you might, you need money.

I know its not this simple but it seems like gamblers want to self destruct?... at least on some level, thats a hard thing to get over, been there and dont have a simple solution because everyone is different with different life set up.  Maybe admitting you are attempting to self destruct when gambling is a good first step vs deluding yourself that a -ev bet means something else.

Its hard to recognize a -ev bet with some things in life but with gambling vs the house its very clear using math measurements only.

[panju1]

Maybe the casino sites should have a help section.
Sometimes, the "Gamble Responsibly" disclaimers don't help. 

[Jamie_Boulder]

This is what makes me never gamble/gamble anything but spare change + some thoughts:

1.) Understanding odds to a decent level. As a former professional poker player, i only like to make +ev bets.  I do not consider p2p poker "gambling".  After many years playing poker a roulette wheel or any other house edge game etc hold very little joy for me.

So i would suggest anyone stuck with gambling problem learn the odds in depth.  Don't delude yourself that any 1 bet vs the house is a winner even if you win - its hard because sometimes you do win on a -ev bet and it deceives you.  In a parallel universe you lost.

2.) I like making money.  If you make -ev bets you must like to lose money or something that is the truth of it.   We aren't above needing money to survive so unless you want to self destruct on some level? which you might, you need money.

I know its not this simple but it seems like gamblers want to self destruct?... at least on some level, that's a hard thing to get over, been there and dont have a simple solution because everyone is different with different life set up.  Maybe admitting you are attempting to self destruct when gambling is a good first step vs deluding yourself that a -ev bet means something else.

Its hard to recognize a -ev bet with some things in life but with gambling vs the house its very clear using math measurements only.

A very good response, I'm going to add this to the topic as it holds a lot of weight being from someone who used to do this professionally (and its' good advise in general).

Maybe the casino sites should have a help section.
Sometimes, the "Gamble Responsibly" disclaimers don't help.  

Couldn't agree more, that's why I've been pushing BtcTalk to make it a requirement that if you advertise here you must also advertise for help to those troubled by the addiction of gambling.

Sad to say it's a losing battle.