Struggling with Baccarat Addiction: The Consequences of Chasing Losses
This article does not represent Mr. Tang’s opinion.
On March 20, I had a disagreement with my wife over work matters. That night, feeling upset, I turned to my phone and accessed an online gambling site. The ease of gambling anywhere at any time is both its appeal and its danger, as it often leads to financial scams.
I started with 6,000 RMB, playing cautiously and avoiding large bets. However, as my balance grew to over 8,000 RMB, the urge to win more took over. When losses began to pile up, I recklessly increased my bets, hoping to recover quickly. By early morning, I had lost my initial stake and additional funds.
The following day, I borrowed 20,000 RMB from my sister, but soon lost it as well. Desperate to cover my losses, I borrowed another 20,000 RMB from clients, ending up with a total loss of 46,000 RMB. Despite knowing that online gambling is a scam and unlikely to yield a profit, I continued to play.
My addiction persisted even though I knew that the online platforms were designed to be rigged against me. The gambling sites exploit human psychology, luring players with occasional wins while ensuring that the majority of bets result in losses. Professional scammers understand how to manipulate and control their targets, making it almost impossible to win in the long run.
I have repeatedly fallen into this trap, losing approximately 50,000 RMB since 2021. Each time I promised to quit, but my addiction drove me back to gambling. I have avoided deeper financial ruin by maintaining my job, but the emotional and financial damage has been significant.
In early April, I tried to recover some of my losses by taking advantage of a promotional offer from the gambling site. I won 43,000 RMB, just 3,000 RMB short of breaking even. However, I lost that amount and more, eventually borrowing 20,000 RMB using my wife’s credit line, hoping to turn things around.
Despite some short-term wins, the overall pattern remained the same: the platform would offer temporary relief, only to eventually drain all my funds. My belief that I could recover my losses by betting more only led to deeper financial trouble. The platform’s “generous” offers were designed to keep me hooked and ensure that I continued to gamble away my money.
Realizing that my strategy was flawed, I tried to recover by gambling on different platforms and using various tactics, but ultimately, I only compounded my losses. My attempts to leverage funds from family and clients to cover gambling debts only made things worse.
I have now reached a point where I must confront the reality of my situation. I am deeply ashamed of my actions and the pain I have caused my family. I must acknowledge my mistakes and work towards rebuilding my life without the destructive influence of gambling.
Key Takeaways
- Recognize the Scam: Online gambling platforms are designed to exploit players. They use psychological tactics to keep players engaged and ensure that the majority of bets result in losses.
- Avoid the Chase: When losing, the urge to chase losses by increasing bets is dangerous and often leads to even greater losses. Understanding this can help break the cycle of addiction.
- Face the Truth: Admitting the problem and seeking help is crucial. Hiding the truth from loved ones only exacerbates the issue and prevents recovery.
- Seek Support: Reaching out to family and friends for support and avoiding further gambling are essential steps in overcoming addiction.
- Focus on Recovery: Channeling energy into work and addressing financial problems responsibly can help rebuild one’s life and prevent falling back into gambling.
For those currently struggling with gambling, my story serves as a cautionary tale. It’s important to recognize the signs of addiction, seek help, and take decisive action to address the underlying issues. Avoiding gambling and focusing on personal and financial recovery is the only way forward.