Gambling chasing losses

Okay yall. So this was a pretty brutal season for me the last year or so. I would go in win streak only to lose it all (FYI: I play online only)

Mainly put, I would gain a compulsiveness where I have to play almost everyday. I lost maybe $3k last year total which is a lot considering how that's almost a month a of pay. My reasoning? I still live at home (woohoo, spoiled 26year old living in an overpriced economy). I know, I know. That's just me trying to reason myself that a) I don't have to pay rent, so let's just spend money on idiotic stuff like online gambling. and b) maybe I can win it back.

I got many reasons as to why I gamble and why I continue to do so. It first started off as a hobby. Since I love sports and all and my area has 3 teams that was constant (or was) contenders. Followed by finding a steady job after college and earning roughly 40-50k a year I was like I'll just gamble when I want and have some fun. After that I would have some winnings and be able to manage my money. Withdraw when I win a good amount after depoisiting a couple 100 onto the site. etc etc. At first it was a site that made withdrawal hard (sportsbook.ag) and I would lose more than I win (since I was too lazy to withdraw a small amount) and after that I went to Bovada where they had a withdraw VISA which made it easy.

After a while I just gained a compulsion to gamble on everything and whenever possible. 3-4 games a day. MLB, NFL, NCAAF, NBA.  You name it, I've played it.

If you made it this far, I just want your perspective on gambling addiction and how depressing it is and how to get out. It's hard for me to gain the concept and $3k is a lot of money. I could have gone to Japan or France. I could have put that into my retirement. I could have done a lot of things with that money. Instead I would just keep depositing $100 there and $100 here trying to make back $500 at a time betting on as many games as possible. It's to a point where it's not even fun anymore because all I do is deposit $100 know that if I win $200 I'm still down $2800. It's a crappy mindset.

At first I had the right mindset where I set my money as play money and if I lose it, I'm content with it. While $3k won't ruin my life since I'm young and have no real bill to pay, it still stings a lot.

I would also like to add that my life is kind of vanilla. It's a cycle. I have a nice family and a good GF and a good bunch of friends. I would go to work (1hour commute in traffic) and do a very boring and tedious job that is not career growing. After that I would commute either back home or to my girlfriends where I would have placed my bets already. I think this vanilla life and a desire for a change of scenery (career wise) have created a sense of depression in my life and I try to fill that depression with the excitement of gambling. If I had a steadier career path then I don't think I would be gambling as much. While my position is a secure in that I won't get fired, I do want a change of scenery.

I don't think gambling is your problem.  Your problem is you are 26, make good money (unless you live in NYC or SF) and live with your parents.

Word^

Thanks for this. I do try and help with bills and grocery but you're right it's not fair that I gamble away several grand while my parents could probably enjoy that money for their own use. But I do live in an extremely metropolitan where rent is north of 3k for a one bedroom in a standard neighborhoods (Bay area) so moving out is not very the optimal solution until I save enough to put a down payment on a place. Or get a job in a different city. A resolution is to get a new job and advancement in my career tho. Hopefully this put all into perspective. Thanks for the suggestions nothing you all said were "harsh" in the slightest bit.... besides that ML Broncos bet lol! I won't play it since I'm going to stop gambling and focus on maturing as mentioned but I don't think Broncos can beat Patriots.

You are an awful gambler.  You talk about 3 teams near you that are contenders.... well those are the teams to fade.  Public favorites.

BTW the Broncos will beat the Pats this weekend.... biggest public slaughter of the season.  In NFL Playoffs defense wins, especially at home

Grow up you pitiful excuse for a man, do you really believe anyone gives a rats azz? 26 years old and lives at home with mommy & daddy, your nothing more than an irresponsible spoiled adult brat, btw, what's your objective to even post a thread like this? all you're doing is embarrassing yourself...you say you have a girlfriend? what women in her right mind would date a 26 year old lame living with his parents? Personally, I think you're full of shitt all the way around.......you truly sound like a sniveling, snot nose 16 year old, talking Bullshitt on a gambling site....Your story has no merit

Thorpe does have a point.  Get your own place and then you have to start budgeting for rent, groceries, etc. aka real life expenses, and your gambling habits will change real quick.  I was in the same boat several years ago.  Now I have a $1700 /month rent to cover, not even including utilities, makes you change your spending habits right quick.

The money you lost is water under the bridge. If you continue in this glorious business of ours all you can worry about is your money management from here on out. Any day you spin a profit is a good day in the marathon

.........and like I said, BOOM!! You're right back to zero. See how easy that would've been? But, NOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

{I won't play it since I'm going to stop gambling and focus on maturing as mentioned but I don't think Broncos can beat Patriots.}

Get out now, because this obviously isn't your thing........

P.S. - Tell your mom I said "Hello".............

Ha!  I would never do that if I were him though.  He'd be suicidal if they converted that on-side kick and kicked a FG to at the end to win by 1.