Professional Athletes Gambling to Excess
“I am one of many professional athletes gambling to excess. I spent most of my time at casinos in Las Vegas. It would often lose $40,000 within a few hours. I used to think that since I had a lot of money that I could afford to gamble. During a conversation with one of the Gamblers Anonymous meetings members I realized I was no different from them. They had little money and were broke from gambling. I made a lot of money but was broke just like they were. The Georgia Gamblers Anonymous meetings have been very helpful. If you are a one of so many professional athletes gambling out of control, please seek help.”
Stress and Gambling Addiction
The above describes a story frequently reported by professional athletes gambling to the point of addiction. Even for those in recovery, the loneliness and isolation of frequent travel and life on the road create an enormous stressor for someone with a gambling problem and their continued recovery. Having seemingly no problem with access to financial resources and in fact having enormous wealth often obscures the fact that the athlete may have an addiction: ‘I have almost limitless money for gambling–why not?’.
Implications For Gambling Counseling
1) Encourage attending Gamblers Anonymous meetings while traveling; in whichever city or town they are.
2) Remind your problem gamblers that regardless of wealth, they are struggling with an addiction and even if it does not have an immediate on their finances, gambling addiction hurts family and loved ones.
3) As with all problem gamblers, it is often helpful for a husband, wife or significant other to take control of all finances. Financial management is key to recovery from gambling addiction particularly in the early phases of gambling treatment.
