\Pam, I think you are addicted to gambling. \- Author unknown

[omeg]

Hi gang:It is no secret I do love to gamble. I spend a few hours at my local land casino playing their money, my money, and enjoying myself , even when I dont always win. The place is fun. A exciting atmosphere, a cold beer, friendly people cheering you on, and a over all feeling of excitment. Today was free money night at the casino. What I mean by that is I get free money on a weekly basis as I am a regular depositor and it is a little reward they give me for being loyal I guess.  Regardless its size, it is always a night I look forward to.

It was around 11:45 and I grabbed my Players card and was about to head out and I found a little note attached to my players card.It read... Pam, I think you are addicted to gambling.   It wasn't even in hand written script so I could immediatley identify the author.  Typed neatly, folded twice, attached to my players card, just waiting for me to find.My stomach sank when I read it.

Well, here we are, once again, someone shedding their opinion about me, to me, in a not so obvious way about one of the few things I enjoy.  Gambling.I am sure I am not the only one out there who has been told this, or something similar when it comes to peoples views on gambling. Why oh why is it that gambling takes such a dirty view in peoples eyes as they look down at you from their perfect little world. As if they are above you, and have a right to judge you in any way.

What is the definition of addicted.  Certainly not because you enjoy something alot are you defined as addicited to it.It made me sad for a moment, as I always feel I am having to defend myself to people when it comes to my gaming.  I am 43, I do not drink more than a beer occasionally, I have never even tried drugs of any kind, and the only bad habit I know of that I wish I could stop would be smoking.Some people like to spend their extra money on going out to eat, shopping, movies, cars, etc.  I myself, with what little I do have left over, enjoy going to the casino for a chance to possibly win more.  It's funny, when I come home a winner, everyone is okay with that, but if I lose that day, I suddenly spend my precious money and time in a terrible way. Why is that?If finding enjoyment for a few hours sitting in front of a screen that has bells and whistles make you addicted, then I am. If going to the casino to have a rare cold beer while I play a game of slots for $20 makes you addicted? Than I am.  Pretty cheap entertainment if you ask me, to be able to play a few hours and relax for $20 these days.  If I'd rather go there than go to the movies, out to eat, or buy myself something else I dont need makes you addicted? Than I am.Thanks for reading.                                                      Pam    -- Edited by PMM2008 on Monday 30th of April 2012 10:59:54 AM

 

[nikkidog]

RE: "Pam, I think your addicted to gambling. "- Author unknown

Pam, don't feel bad and you do not have to defend your self to anyone. As like you , I do not drink except for an occasional glass of wine, have never done drugs and don't spend my money on lavish vacations. My bills are aways paid on time . I have worked for 45 years in my beauty shop and even though I am retired I still work a few few hours a week.  I have babysat my grandchildren here in my home town  for the last 12 years, and go to Maryland every couple of months to babysit my grandchildren there. So my husband and myself enjoy playing the slots, no big deal. We have rasied 3 children, but them all through collage and had beautiful wedding for our  two daughters. It is now  our time to do what we enjoy. So what do you say, want to meet me at the Casino LOL

 

[milkman]

RE: "Pam, I think your addicted to gambling. "- Author unknown

i see nothing wrong with what ur doing pam....if other people have a problem with that, it's their problem. not urs

 

[omeg]

RE: "Pam, I think your addicted to gambling. "- Author unknown

Nikkidog and mlkmn5029, the two of you are so sweet to respond with such kind words.I work hard each day, hurt no-one by spending a few bucks I have playing a slot game, yet people judge judge judge you know?After all is said and done, I will NOT stop going to my favorite land casino or playing a small deposit online in the hopes of enjoying myself, and possibly winning a few bucks. Just hurts people that you think know you, think highly of you, turn to such a method and say such things.You are right, both of you, it is their problem, not mine.Thanks so much for reading and responding.                                                                        Pam

 

[Mben]

I don't care who you are, everyone is addicted to something in this world ... shopping, chocolate, the internet, smoking, drinking, gambling, working out, what have you. And people know that they are addicted.I say as long as the bills are paid then there is no problem but if bill money is being used, then there is a problem. What I would do is print out a note and hang it on the fridge saying ... I would like to thank the person who made the observation that I am addicted to gambling. BUT I KNEW THAT ALREADY! If you would like to be constructive, tell me how it is affecting you and I will take it from there. If you can't do that, why not take that time and take a look at your life and see what you are addicted to. And when that's done and you see we both are not affecting anyone, try and explain to me what makes my addiction any different than yours. Thanks for the time you took observing my life. Now go get your own!

 

[omeg]

Very well put Mben....Thanks for reading and replying.                                                     Pam

 

[milkman]

i'm glad they have online casinos now.....i get to play more. last time i got to go to a land based one was in tunica to see a HEART concert, thats 120 miles away. there is one in philadelphia too that is closer than that. and no thats not philadelphia pa

 

[Mben]

Better watch out mlkmn. If you live with anyone they will see you playing online and then judge as to what you're doing. If you go to a land based casino, at least you can say you were at the mall!

 

[milkman]

don't live with anyone. just my girlfriend and her kid are here. but i've already been judged by other people around me about playing online.....goes in one ear and out da other...if the don't like it they can.......you know

 

[daniela6968]

Addicted is when you start borrowing money to play while your lights are about to be cut off. (My sister!)On Fridays (payday), I will go online and pay all the bills. Then we will decide it we go to the land casino a hour away. I know how much I have available to play online, also.We don't drink, smoke or do drugs. Slots are our only vice if you want to call it that. As long as we don't beg, borrow or steal, they can suck it.

 

[omeg]

I have really enjoyed the comments and replies here that this thread has brought the forum.As I wake up each day, I know I am a good person, and hurt no one , or even myself, by playing a game or two at the casino.  Whats more? I never judge people in any way. That is not up to me, it is up to the Almighty.Why do people have to be so mean anyways.                                                   Pam

 

[slotspartner]

How much money are you losing and how does it compare to your income?

 

[crazysider69]

your own personal happiness is far more important than anyone else's  opinion of what is right or wrong

 

[queenmap]

The old saying sticks and stones.. Well yes, names do hurt!! Whomever it was that didn't have the balls to tell you to your face their feelings really should not be casting them stones.I for one love to gamble and have fun as well. Your right Pam, it is relaxing. Suck that note writer!! LOL

 

[tamaroa]

Pam, I have been talked about many times for my playing habit. It's funny because I can go to the local bar to play the machines and the people that spend 50.00 and up drinking in one night are the ones that be-little me for playing the machines. We all have our vices, but people are so ready to talk about others rather than look in mirror. So amny times I have often thought about getting a shirt made What's your addiction LMAO and wear it every time I go to town !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!You are from the only one who is judged by others. Myself I could careless what the next guy does. how he spends his or her monies. If we were all perfect it would be a boring world !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! T

 

[omeg]

tamaroa wrote: Pam, I have been talked about many times for my playing habit. It's funny because I can go to the local bar to play the machines and the people that spend 50.00 and up drinking in one night are the ones that be-little me for playing the machines. We all have our vices, but people are so ready to talk about others rather than look in mirror. So amny times I have often thought about getting a shirt made What's your addiction LMAO and wear it every time I go to town !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!You are from the only one who is judged by others. Myself I could careless what the next guy does. how he spends his or her monies. If we were all perfect it would be a boring world !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! T

 Soooooo true Tamaroa.The part in your post about how people will sit there and drink it up all night and spend tons of cash are the same ones that look down at you for playing the machines.  Isnt that unreal?  My goodness. As if they have room to judge anyone about how they spend their money as they sit there and drink it away.   Makes me shake my head in disbelief.Thanks for the reply friend.                                                           Pam

 

[Mben]

I couldn't resist!

So have you confronted anyone about the note? And if so, what did they all say? 

 

[omeg]

I love it.As far as  confronting anyone about the note, I have not, but I got a pretty good suspicion I know who it was.

Still thinking how I want to proceed. hehe                                                            Pam

 

[PSP]

Looks like you picked a bad day to stop sniffing glue.... (and just so that no one is offended, that's a paraphrase of a line from Airplane! ) OK, I apologize for leaving you that note - it will never happen again! Oh, wait - I'm over 1,000 miles away and have only a vague idea where you live... .... and yes, it's true -  I am addicted to breathing   Time to tell the guilty party to go fornicate themself   

 

[signman48]

Pam,You know that you have a lot of friends ready to come to your defense, If you will let meI'll write something real UGLY to that person. Or say it to their face if I knew where to go!!! There's nothing wrong with what you do.

 

[petrovici]

It is ok Pam.I like playing games at casino but i dont have a casino in my town,so i play at online casino games,from my home,and it is so funny.

 

[daremeto]

omg i can't believe someone had the balls to put that note on your players card. if they think that about you then they don't have a clue what a gambling addict does. i used to manage the roadhouse casino in vegas when i lived there. it made me sick seeing some of the things i saw while working there. we had people that gambled their electic bill money, grocery money and they had little mouths to feed at home, car payment money, house payment money and after they lost it all they would come crying to me begging me to loan them just $10 because they just knew they were going to win  i have just one rule when i go play at a land based casino or even online gambling. i never gamble what i can't afford to lose, if i can't afford to lose it i don't play simple as that. i had to go 5 months one time without playing because my husband lost his job and that was no fun i missed the hell out of playing lol. it is really sad that some peoples lives are so pathetic that they have to make others feel as bad about their life as they do theirs. reality is as you perceive it. to me sounds like someone is jealous of you. tell them to go to a gambling anonymous meeting sometime and they will see what a real gambling addict is. it is really pathetic. Mben is right we all are addicts of some sort and my addiction is pepsi, i feel sorry for the person that tries to take that away from me lol

 

[PhillipR]

 

[omeg]

PhillipR wrote:

 haha, Right on PhillipR.

 

[omeg]

daremeto wrote: omg i can't believe someone had the balls to put that note on your players card. if they think that about you then they don't have a clue what a gambling addict does. i used to manage the roadhouse casino in vegas when i lived there. it made me sick seeing some of the things i saw while working there. we had people that gambled their electic bill money, grocery money and they had little mouths to feed at home, car payment money, house payment money and after they lost it all they would come crying to me begging me to loan them just $10 because they just knew they were going to win  i have just one rule when i go play at a land based casino or even online gambling. i never gamble what i can't afford to lose, if i can't afford to lose it i don't play simple as that. i had to go 5 months one time without playing because my husband lost his job and that was no fun i missed the hell out of playing lol. it is really sad that some peoples lives are so pathetic that they have to make others feel as bad about their life as they do theirs. reality is as you perceive it. to me sounds like someone is jealous of you. tell them to go to a gambling anonymous meeting sometime and they will see what a real gambling addict is. it is really pathetic. Mben is right we all are addicts of some sort and my addiction is pepsi, i feel sorry for the person that tries to take that away from me lol

 Hi daremeto:It sounds like you do if fact know what a real gambling addict is.  I cant imagine some of the things you must have seen.I too only play with money that I deem fun money. It has been some time since I originally wrote this post, and I can count on my one hand how many times I have been to the casino since then.  Simple to understand......Responsibilities come first.It occured to me the other day, people just have to have something to bi**h about you know? So many people are in other peoples business and it is amazing they cant stop once and look at themselves while they are too busy judging others.If I bought a six pack 2 times a week, then I must be an alcoholic.  If I go to the casino three times a month...I must be a degenerate gambler.  If I went out to eat instead of spinning, would I be addicted to food?  You see my point here?  The judging never stops from some, and likely never will.Heres my last thought on this for now.It never seems to be a problem when I win and bring extra money into the household for little extra things we usually cant obtain.  Only when I lose does it seem to be the problem to these judgemental people.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Pam

 

[PSP]

PMM2008 wrote:

daremeto wrote: omg i can't believe someone had the balls to put that note on your players card. if they think that about you then they don't have a clue what a gambling addict does. i used to manage the roadhouse casino in vegas when i lived there. it made me sick seeing some of the things i saw while working there. we had people that gambled their electic bill money, grocery money and they had little mouths to feed at home, car payment money, house payment money and after they lost it all they would come crying to me begging me to loan them just $10 because they just knew they were going to win  i have just one rule when i go play at a land based casino or even online gambling. i never gamble what i can't afford to lose, if i can't afford to lose it i don't play simple as that. i had to go 5 months one time without playing because my husband lost his job and that was no fun i missed the hell out of playing lol. it is really sad that some peoples lives are so pathetic that they have to make others feel as bad about their life as they do theirs. reality is as you perceive it. to me sounds like someone is jealous of you. tell them to go to a gambling anonymous meeting sometime and they will see what a real gambling addict is. it is really pathetic. Mben is right we all are addicts of some sort and my addiction is pepsi, i feel sorry for the person that tries to take that away from me lol

 Hi daremeto:It sounds like you do if fact know what a real gambling addict is.  I cant imagine some of the things you must have seen.I too only play with money that I deem fun money. It has been some time since I originally wrote this post, and I can count on my one hand how many times I have been to the casino since then.  Simple to understand......Responsibilities come first.It occured to me the other day, people just have to have something to bi**h about you know? So many people are in other peoples business and it is amazing they cant stop once and look at themselves while they are too busy judging others.If I bought a six pack 2 times a week, then I must be an alcoholic.  If I go to the casino three times a month...I must be a degenerate gambler.  If I went out to eat instead of spinning, would I be addicted to food?  You see my point here?  The judging never stops from some, and likely never will.Heres my last thought on this for now.It never seems to be a problem when I win and bring extra money into the household for little extra things we usually cant obtain.  Only when I lose does it seem to be the problem to these judgemental people.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Pam

 So, let me get this straight - not only are you a gambling addict, but you are an alcoholic too?    (running for cover.....  ) 

 

[omeg]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA.PSP, you kill me.I cant remember the last time I had a beer. Oh wait, yes I do....When I am being a degenerate gambler at the casino.  HAHAHAHAHA 

 

[GREATHOUSE]

I go to silver star myself. 

 

[omeg]

GREATHOUSE wrote: I go to silver star myself.