Gambling and Its Effects

Gambling is a social ill. Together with alcoholism and drug addiction, they constitute the major problems that society is facing now.

In our country, gambling is widespread. Legally a person can patronize the 4-digit shops, the turf clubs and the casino. Illegally a person can patronize a multitude of gambling operations run by thugs and racketeers. Be it legal or illegal, gambling is big business that does not show any sign of abating.

If we just look into one of the many 4-digit shops when it is open, we will no doubt see a crowd of people jostling with one another to buy their numbers. Often some numbers are sold out very quickly. There are also certain 'hot' numbers that the shops refuse to sell, for they have a habit of being drawn often.

Just why is it that people willingly spend their hard-earned money on pieces of paper that are designed to make money for the operators?

Just why is it that people willingly spend their hard-earned money on pieces of paper that are designed to make money for the operators?

The reasons are complex. However one of my friends, who buy 4-digit tickets regularly, gave me a reason on why he gambles. He told me that he started buying certain numbers hoping to win a prize. As time went by the numbers still did not come out. After a year of buying the numbers he could not possibly stop. He feared that if he stopped, one of his numbers might come out and he would have missed his chance. He would have lost a lot of money He figured it is stupid to invest so much money only not to win any in return because he did not buy the numbers at one particular draw.

So he keeps on pumping his money on a shaky dream. Even if he wins something eventually, most likely his winnings cannot cover the amount he has "invested". He is a certain loser.

I suppose many other punters share his opinion. They cannot stop. They have staked too much already. In short, they are hooked.

So these gamblers carry on regardless what happens to them. I have heard of people who borrow money to gamble. Some of them even steal to finance their gambling needs. I know a friend who gambled his college fees away on horse-racing. His father gave him a proper lecture and he promised to repent. Alas, he never did. His father had to personally pay all the fees. Even so, this chap somehow or other would get some money from somewhere just to visit the turf club. He is perpetually broke. We avoid him like the plague. He is an example of a person who would do almost anything to feed his gambling habit. He has cried and lamented in front of me for a few ringgit. He has no dignity left. I do not know what to do with him except give him some advice. Advice is of no avail anyway.

Such is the state of hard-core gamblers. They have lost touch with reality. They are living in a world of shattered hopes and dreams. They convert their houses into all-night mahjong dens. They neglect their families and involve themselves in illegal activities. They sometimes dwell in black magic to ask for "luck" and favors in their gambling pursuits, not realizing they are virtually selling their souls to the devil. Their lives deteriorate. Their relationships with friends and families become strained. They are strangers onto others and onto themselves.

Without a strong will and some outside help, an addicted gambler has very little hope of getting out of his predicament. Unless he changes his attitudes and lifestyle he would probably carry on as he has always been doing. He will not find any happiness anywhere. Gambling can give him nothing but grief.

Without a strong will and some outside help, an addicted gambler has very little hope of getting out of his predicament. Unless he changes his attitudes and lifestyle he would probably carry on as he has always been doing. He will not find any happiness anywhere. Gambling can give him nothing but grief.

Shattered lives, broken homes, poor health, poverty and overwhelming problems follow the person who becomes addicted to gambling. It is definitely something to be avoided.