The Consequences of Gambling: My Journey Through Debt and Betrayal

This article does not represent Mr. Tang’s opinion.

At 26 years old, I’ve experienced significant turmoil due to gambling, which started in high school in Sichuan, where gambling is prevalent. Initially, I played card games like “zhajinhua” with classmates. This early exposure planted the seed for my later struggles. In college, I encountered poker, which further exposed me to the dangers of gambling.

Last year, I transitioned from offline to online gambling. I lost over 50,000 RMB in two sessions with friends before I even started gambling online. My first encounter with online baccarat, discovered through a World Cup betting app in October, was a turning point that led me deeper into gambling’s abyss. Despite my strong financial position, including owning property and a car, and having a stable job, gambling changed everything.

By October last year, after losing 20,000 RMB playing poker, I stumbled upon baccarat. I initially won 8,000 RMB by betting cautiously, but my greed soon took over. I started gambling daily at work and home, lavishing money on my girlfriend. Eventually, my gambling behavior escalated, and one night, I lost 80,000 RMB after an intense session, borrowing 20,000 RMB from friends and losing nearly 110,000 RMB in total.

I knew I was in serious trouble. That night, I confessed to my family, who paid off my 150,000 RMB debt, including previous loans. However, this revelation led to a significant strain on my relationship with my girlfriend, who eventually found another partner, leaving me devastated.

I fell into depression and considered suicide due to my financial and emotional distress. During this period, I met another woman who supported me through my struggles. Despite this, I couldn’t escape my gambling addiction. I soon started trading cryptocurrencies with high leverage and lost significant amounts of money again. Fortunately, I managed to get my family to help me cover these losses as well. I also secured a better job with a higher salary, which seemed to put me on a path to recovery.

However, my addiction persisted. Despite my efforts to stabilize my life, I continued to gamble, losing 30,000 RMB over the past six months. The losses included funds meant for home renovations and significant debt accumulation. My addiction has led me to betray the trust of two significant women in my life and has put me in a precarious financial situation.

In an attempt to regain control, I’ve recently changed my gambling account passwords to ones I can’t remember and am committed to focusing on paying off my debts and rebuilding my life. I hope my story serves as a warning and encourages others to recognize the dangers of gambling before it’s too late.