A young man from South Africa shared his difficult story of battling gambling addiction, emphasizing the financial and emotional burden it places on individuals and families amid rising unemployment.
This 22-year-old man, who is currently recovering from addiction, from Durban, recounted how the consequences of gambling became increasingly severe after initially seeming like harmless entertainment. He works in the financial sector but requested anonymity due to the personal nature of his experience.
He started gambling shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic while still in high school. Initially, it was just a casual activity, with bets placed once every one or two weeks. However, the situation changed after he incurred significant losses while being unemployed and a university student. Instead of accepting the loss, he began gambling in an attempt to recoup the money.
“What started as an attempt to quickly cover that loss turned into an addiction,” he stated. Paradoxically, a subsequent major win reinforced his belief that he could continue playing successfully. “That one big win turned into my biggest loss. It created a false sense of confidence, making me believe I could always win back or recover my losses. In reality, the losses almost always exceeded the winnings.”
What began as leisure and an attempt to earn extra income ultimately led him to gamble money intended for more important life priorities. “When I started gambling with money meant for more important things related to my future, I realized I had a problem,” he said. The realization came too late, as gambling began to affect his daily life.
The recovering gambler noted that one of the most destructive aspects of gambling addiction is the constant mental focus on the next potential win. “When I was gambling, I often started the day excited because I already had plans for money I hadn't even won yet,” he shared. Instead, he often ended days stressed and anxious. “You can’t concentrate on anything else. You are constantly checking results, races, tips, and forecasts.”
This distraction negatively impacted his ability to concentrate in other areas of life, including studies and work. For him, the motivation shifted over time from entertainment to the pursuit of money. “Initially, gambling was enjoyable when it was just a form of entertainment and there was no need to cover losses. But as soon as the addiction takes over, everything becomes about money,” he explained. “When you run out of cash, you start risking the last cent hoping to change the situation because you feel you have no other options.”
He warned that this is precisely when gambling becomes most dangerous. “Looking at the big picture, it is the worst decision you can make. You will almost always end up in a worse financial position.”
He described a cycle where money intended for household basic expenses could go into the next bet. For example, one might decide: “I am short on food this month. Let me use the money saved for electricity and try to make a profit. The electricity bill is only due mid-month.” But as soon as that money disappeared, the financial pressure intensified. “Before you realize it, that money is gone too. Now you have no money for food or electricity. As a result, you start borrowing or taking out loans, creating an even bigger problem for yourself.”
He admitted that his own gambling consumed savings intended for the future, including education and emergencies. “I had absolutely no reason to touch that money, but I did. As a result, I had to start from scratch, which put me in severe financial difficulty.”
This experience caused him particular concern regarding the impact of gambling amidst the rising cost of living, which already puts pressure on households. “With the rising cost of living, life was already expensive enough, and gambling only exacerbated the situation.”
One of the main difficulties he faced was the desire to recover already lost funds. “Human nature strives to get back what has been lost. However, when it comes to gambling, it is much better to admit defeat and seek help before the situation worsens.”
He noted that attempts to recoup losses can last for years, during which the gambler becomes increasingly financially vulnerable. “You can spend years trying to get back your losses only to create even bigger problems for yourself. The house always wins.”
Ultimately, his gambling led both him and his family to significant financial strain. “My attempts to recover losses put both me and my household under financial pressure, something we had never experienced before. We had to change our entire lifestyle and sacrifice a lot.”
The consequences extended beyond finances. He reported that gambling also damaged relationships and eroded trust among loved ones. “You lose the trust of friends and family when gambling starts controlling your life,” he said. “People will help you at first, but when you find yourself in the same situation again and again, you may start lying to get money or avoid difficult conversations. In the process, you lose trust, respect, your reputation, and sometimes even important relationships. That is what happened to me.”
Addiction also affected his education and career. There were instances where he gambled during university lunch breaks and later at work. “Once a bet is placed, you get distracted. You are constantly checking your phone for results and bills.”
He added that the emotional highs and lows associated with gambling affected his well-being, concentration, and productivity. “In most cases, things don't go as planned, and the emotional roller coaster that follows affects your well-being, concentration, and productivity in all aspects of life.”
He described the constant search for money to fund the next bet as the defining characteristic of his addiction. “Many gamblers will understand when I say: ‘There is always a plan for the next bet.’ As a gambler, you always find a way to get money for the next bet, and you often have plans for winning even before you win it.”
In his case, he repeatedly convinced himself that the next win would provide the money needed to pay off debts and overdue bills. “However, as I said, the house always wins. These bets never paid off. Instead, I drove myself into a deeper hole from which I couldn't climb out.”
Eventually, he reached a point where he could not continue. “I was emotionally, mentally, and financially exhausted. Enough.”
His recovery began when he acknowledged having a gambling problem and sought help. “I admitted defeat. It takes real courage to admit defeat.”
Although admitting the addiction was painful, he said that accepting the problem was the first step toward recovering his life. He joined Gamblers Anonymous and has not gambled since. “Meetings have had a significant impact on my life. Every day I reflect, learn, and strive to be a better person.”
He believes his recovery would have been impossible without admitting he needed help. “None of this would have been possible if I hadn't admitted defeat and sought help.”
The recovering gambler advised people struggling with gambling not to be ashamed to seek support. “There is always someone who has overcome even greater difficulties, so seeking help is so important.”
He emphasized that support doesn't necessarily have to take the form of financial aid. “Sometimes just the opportunity to listen to another person's story and share your own in a room where no one judges can change a life.”
His advice to those worried about their gambling is to conduct an honest assessment of the real cost of this activity. He urged players to ask themselves two questions: “What have I truly gained from gambling, and what have I truly lost because of it?” He believes that an honest answer to these questions can change a person's view of their gambling behavior.
The young man's experience serves as a personal illustration of a broader warning issued by NGB during periods of high unemployment and financial pressure on many households. His message is simple: gambling should never be seen as a way to solve financial problems. “I also want people to know that there is no shame in admitting defeat and asking for help,” he concluded. “You are already losing money daily because of gambling. Instead, take one difficult step that can ultimately become your greatest victory: overcoming addiction and rebuilding your life.”
He stated that he is ready to help others who may face similar struggles. “I am always ready to help others who may face the same struggle.”
