@Fraudmaud
Absolutly spot on !
I don't even know where to start, as for my own background within the gamling adventures.
But it was quite similar to yours tbh. I have always had a destructional behavior - like most compulsive gamblers have. I even had a drinking problem at one time - which is also quite "normal" within the risky and destructional behavior spectre. And I have almost been so down in the mud, that what you are reffering to, was acctually starting to look like a real life solution - it looked like a way out. Just think about that. Ending the most precious thing you have beside your kids, your own freaking life......
Luckily it didn't come to that, and I managed to pick up my willpower - in which I had totaly forgot I possesed, and with family and friends help, slowly but surely could get a direction on my life again.
But what you are talking about here, is such a delicate and double standard issue, that it really should be adressed alot more. And truth to be told - I really don't understand how you can build up a business, earning tons of money, on other peoples mistakes and illness ( Compulsive gambling IS an illness ) - in fact it is alot similar to drugsdealing.
BUT - that said, im absolutly convinced that the streamers we all love and cheerish, don't think of it that way, and don't want ANY of their viewers to get into trouble from gambling. But - that is the problem with gambling. It is all good and fun when it doesnt matter if you loose 500 or 1000 euroes - heck, I would be playing daily if I could afford that. The only problem is, that 500 Euroes IS alot of money for most people, and when the ballance hits zero, noone is there to chip in and help you up again. And then you have to go explain to your wife that the food money is gone for this month - only because you thought you could control it.
We have all seen how one single spin can change everything, how you can go from 1 euro to thousands within minutes. And heck - I have tried it many times, I even won a major jackpot 35000 Euroes. I have seen it is possible to get your hands on those winnings, and it really isn't a fairytale story, it is true.
The only thing that isn't true here, is that it is bound to happend. But alot of people really do that impression.
Looking at a streamers like Jarttu84 or Roshtein, who are printing money almost daily, with huge bets, make people think that is possible. But what most people don't, is to watch their entire stream, and only the YT highlights. Looking at their full streams, you see them go with 2,3,4,5-6 bullets before even hitting anything good. But in the compulsive gamblers mind, you don't see the losses, only the winnings.
There are several streamers, who are open about how they keep track on their gambling addiction, and how NOT to loose that important control. Several in which I think should be highlighted here, is Letsgiveitaspin and Davidlabowski. They talk about having a gambling budget, and even do excel sheets on win/loss progress. And I think that is a very good thing to advice people to do, because it helps you keep track, in which I would have wished I had back in the days. Only by doing that, and having a maximum deposit limit can make it somewhat plausible that you wont end up hurting yourself and your loved ones.
What really tilted everything for me, and what made me go into dark places and loose control, was acctually when I hit the 35 k Euro Jackpot. Because it made me realize that it was possible, and it wasn't like the forbidden fruit anymore, or the wall I couldn't climb. But from that day, it went downhill, and almost ended very bad.
Gambling is a drug, and rehabilitation places adresses gambling, just like drugs or alcohol. All the lights and noises you hear when playing, will make your brain grant you dopamin - which basicly is a reward drug in your brain.
Don't be fooled, the developers know that, and they know how to trick you into playing more and more. The reason why you are getting the graphics, and not only a mathematical outcome, is so you will be tricked. And when the slot ALMOST hits the symbol you need, it is deliberete, eventhough the outcome is done the same second you press the button. There is no reason for all the teasers, it will only make you feel somewhat in control. Powerspinning is the same, it makes you feel a little bit in control, eventhough you cant control any outcome - just like the button on the traffic lights, or the door button in the elevator.
Jackpots is even worse, because you are told that if you bet with higher bets, the chance of you winning will be bigger, and people just accept that as a fact, eventhough there is no statistics available to back that claim up. And most of the times, it is someone betting the lowest betsize that is to pick it up anyways. It is all RNG - Random number generators who are deciding who is winning, and who is not.
Take care outthere, and for the OT - I really wish you and your family the best, rest assued that your are NOT alone, and alot of us have tried the same thing. It won't help you in your current situation, but I promise you, there is hope and a way out. Stay strong, and most important - be honest to your loved ones. Face the demon and fight it together !
<3
