'Merson on his documentary: I just wanted to help one person'
http://www.skysports.com/share/12431849
"Insists he has a responsibility to help others with gambling addiction"
Shame his employers, and so many other companies, don't feel the same way!
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'Merson on his documentary: I just wanted to help one person'
http://www.skysports.com/share/12431849
"Insists he has a responsibility to help others with gambling addiction"
Shame his employers, and so many other companies, don't feel the same way!
Can’t believe he has eight kids! Imagine gambling away the deposit for a house during first lockdown, he’s still in rented accommodation now. Interesting stuff, it’s a crazy one gambling. It’s way too easy to get involved in I think…..Quote:
Originally Posted by MacAdder
His "mate" Jeff Stelling and his employer Sky should have a look at their part in glorifying gambling in their ads.
It’s totally wrong.Quote:
Originally Posted by UNDERHILL1927
Started over here massively now in States that have legalized sports books.
The betting ads are just wrong. I thank God that gambling has never interested me and never will but I do know that it’s tearing some families apart. It’s a terrible addiction without brakes, you drink too much you fall over, you take drugs you flake out eventually, gambling, you just look for more money to chase the losses. How there hasn’t been an outcry and a ban I’ll never know.........and the smug ‘celebs’ who are enticing mug punters need to have a good look at themselves, mercenary bastards!!Quote:
Originally Posted by UNDERHILL1927
It's a real issue amongst young men, apparently.
It is, it’s so easy nowadays, it’s at their fingertips 24/7, they don’t need encouraging when they turn the telly on. I personally know a few who are struggling, it’s a disease.Quote:
Originally Posted by tforturton
Merson is a good bloke being open about his demons
I am sure he ended his career at Walsall?
We scored a last minute equaliser , Gareth Whalley ?
Merson was having a right laugh with our fans behind the goal
Best of luck to him and others affected
My one abiding memory of Merson is when he played down here for Villa. I'm sure Mad Frankie had arranged it with Villa when they signed Mark Delaney, that they would play a pre season friendly at Ninian Park. Or have I dreamed that up? Anyway Merson stood in the centre circle for the game barely moving but spraying inch perfect passes around the pitch.
Those diagrams showing how Merson reacted to gambling images compared to things like food, family and holiday images were so revealing - the poor sods that are hit hardest by the gambling bug have no chance really and the programme had me thinking there but for the grace of God go I.Quote:
Originally Posted by splott parker
I’ve never been a gambler, but if I were, I’d stop using Ladbrookes who didn’t even respond when asked about the issues raised in the programme - that said, they’re all as bad as each other and I agree about the smug celebs.
I thought it was someone's testimonial maybe? He was quality thoughQuote:
Originally Posted by Mr Soul '68
Agreed mate. Way too accessibleQuote:
Originally Posted by Wash DC Blue
It really is.Quote:
Originally Posted by tforturton
It's hard enough to earn a living, pay a mortgage, bills, run a car and raise a family these days as it is.
Chuck a massive debt and blacklist in the mix...
Not sure if there is any evidence but would not surprise me one iota if there is a direct correlation between gambling and the high suicide rate in young men.
So easy nowadays, don't even have to leave your sofa. Also electronically it's so much harder to see the money as real cash. I once won £600 on the slots and then wasted £400 of it in the next half hour. I would have never done that if I had the cash in my handQuote:
Originally Posted by splott parker
Gambling like any addiction is a form of self abuse and is clearly linked to mental ill healthQuote:
Originally Posted by MacAdder
Alcohol , gambling , drugs all go hand in hand
Oosh, can of worms there, not sure I agree that all people in active addiction have poor mental health.Quote:
Originally Posted by SLUDGE FACTORY
As somebody who has over the past 10 years been at various points along the spectrum of retaining some control and being completely out of control, a lot is spoken about compulsive gambling that I agree with and a lot that I don't. I can stand the people who don't own it, it's the easy way out to latch onto the excuse that it's an illness and you can't do anything about it.
Now, that isn't to say that for compulsive gamblers there isn't a 24/7 haze that nips at you during every lonely or boring moment but when it comes to it, you still have that choice. It also isn't to say that at those crucial moments, every single part of your being is telling you that you should just fill your boring Saturday with some excitement or chase that loss from earlier in the day.
To me, it feels as though during that moment, part of my brain switches off. I make sense of data and numbers for people for a living and then I go home and quite often do something completely irrational with no logical basis.
I think it is quite likely, from my experience it will be the ones who don't want to talk about it and are looking for an escape.Quote:
Originally Posted by UNDERHILL1927
It's very likely for sure, wouldn't say there is always a clear link though.Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric Cartman
I didn't start drinking or gambling due to mental health issues. The drinking and the gambling definitely caused mental health problems themselves though.
Anyway, my last thread about Guinness 0% went way off track and we could discuss this for years haha
Sadly the game we follow is hugely connected to betting firms .
It's creeping in, but nothing like it is in the UK.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wash DC Blue
I noticed the other day that our training kit is sponsored by Sport 888. Bookies should not be able to do business with sports teams that play in any organised league. And they shouldn't be allowed to have ambiguous names like "Sport 888". At least Bet365 state their purpose clearly.Quote:
Originally Posted by life on mars
The 888 component of 'Sport 888' is almost certainly due to the Chinese associating the number 8 with good fortune, particularly in the betting world.Quote:
Originally Posted by NYCBlue
It is indeed! :thumbup:Quote:
Originally Posted by Taunton Blue Genie
Quote:
Originally Posted by splott parker
Both drinking excessively and an addiction to drugs can also come at a high financial cost. There was a time when the only thing that could put a temporary rein on my alcohol addiction was that I didn't have any more money left to buy alcohol.
The visual representation of Merson's brain and what stimulates it was fascinating - and educated those of us who have never fully appreciated what is involved regarding such conditions.
There’s no greater high than having your hard earned cash on a horse that wins 🐎💴
Casinos fortunately have never floated my boat and sitting around in stale smelling betting shops putting my change in those FOB machines or betting on virtual racing doesn’t interest me either.
I suppose it’s all down to the individuals mindset and not just walking away when you run out of money but knowing that when you’re lucks out it’s out.
Chasing your losses is a no no and having the willpower to walk away is difficult but should be done.
However I do sympathise with the addicted.
Glossy ads in print and the entertaining visual ads on TV - Paddy Powers adds with their comedy element softens the stark and dangerous realities that gambling effects can have on individuals and families.
A very good friend of mine confided in me three years ago that he was addicted to the FOB Roulette machines inside bookies shops - he’s married with three kids and a mortgage
Wracked up credit card debt and loans to pay for his addiction to the tune of sixty grand
Fortunately his wife forgave him and he’s turned the corner getting back on track financially but most importantly he says - he spoke to someone about the deep regret and shame that was gambling and the scourge that ripped him apart mentally and physically which nearly brought him to suicide.
If you are in a sorry situation my message would be always talk about your problem to someone that cares and will listen 👍
I take it that you are referring to those with a fondness for, or addiction to, gambling - as I imagine that most people would consider their highs coming from elsewhere.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sunnysideup
I’m referring to the high or buzz you get from winning via the medium of gambling whereby you have wagered your hard earned money on an outcome.
I’ve never taken drugs so am unable to comment and alcohol has its high then dreadful low of a hangover the following day 🙁
That's a really good point and, for me, one of the big reasons why people get into so much trouble. It makes it feel more like a game than something that can have real and serious financial consequences.Quote:
Originally Posted by UNDERHILL1927
Worked with him recently and he’s a top bloke. Very funny.Quote:
Originally Posted by MacAdder
Was racing around getting the kids from school etc.
Football-related job and put so much into it he could barely walk after.
It's easier these days but I well remember my mate getting his wages and going straight down the bookies and dropped half of it there.
I love the occasional gamble, particularly on an event I'm watching but I'll admit I can't relate too much to those that become sadly addicted to it.
It's a big contributor to the UK economy and directly and indirectly in the UK so its not going anywhere but something should be done for the most vulnerable
Question is what? I haven't watched the doc yet, did they give any suggestions?
One thing for starters from my own experience, some don't make it easy to close the account. I signed up for the bonus, made a profit, withdrew and then wanted to just close the account, this wasn't obvious and after a Google search I had to email them. Most probably give up, get bombarded by emails, texts and some then will drop more into it eventually.
That is the problem with an addiction though isn't it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Taunton Blue Genie
I'm sure many addicts would prefer their highs come from other, less expensive areas of life but for many they don't.
It is illogical in many ways. Maybe a few on here are addicted to football and watching City which probably doesn't make sense to many others but like minded individuals.
Which just makes it worse.Quote:
Originally Posted by Taunton Blue Genie
The guy is a complete idiot. Three marriages, eight kids and after an illustrious career earning lots of money is still skint and still wallowing in self pity.
Never been into gambling, went to the casino on st Mary street back in the day now and then, and had the odd bet on the World Cup etc but that’s it. I do notice these days the amount of adverts offering you a free bet etc trying to entice you in, almost tempted and I have no addictive tendancys at all. I imagine that might be hard for a quite a few who have the bug. A good mate of mine whose lost 1000’s has just managed to get all his accounts closed and he can’t reopen them either…..