To think that match betting is still gambling

[Firstimer703]

Earlier on, I sat down with my husband and son for a family breakfast. A minute or so in, DH took his phone out and when I said about not having phones at the table (as I thought we agreed), he basis he had to put a bet on. I said I didn't think that was a good reason and he wouldn't be happy if I did it and I didn't think he'd let DS do it in the future. He completely kicked off, shouting at me in front of DS and being very aggressive.

He's been doing match betting which I've asked him not to do from the start. He told me today he's disappointed that I'm not interested and haven't listened when he's tried to explain. When he has to put a bet on during a 10 minute breakfast with his family and the reason is that he'll lose money if he doesn't, it looks like addiction to me! AIBU?

Yanbu. Is he always this tyrannical, or is it only when he's gambling?

Yanbu although matched betting isn't a gamble as such because you can't lose money. Not the point though, he's acted like a knob

Is this a one off or usual behaviour from him?

No it's not, however your husband is indeed an arsehole.

Matched betting is not gambling and I honestly think you should listen to him on this occasion or do some research online.

There is no risk involved, it’s a mathematical concept.

It was rude of him to use phone at table but also rude of you not to listen and in doing so jump to wrong conclusions.

He shouldn’t be aggressive however and if this is a regular occurrence then you have bigger problems than him matched betting.

It's not gambling.

But some offers are time critical, I suspect it was a rugby world cup bet. I suspect he has made money.

Is it unreasonable for him to make money over breakfast? I personally don't think so. But I did some bets this morning as well. And have some more to do later. And will be about £100 in profit for the day, which will be used towards Christmas.

Would you have been annoyed with a work call at breakfast? If not yabu.

It isn't gambling but the way he's spoken to you is out of order and that's the issue.

Matched betting is not completely risk free. The mathematical concept is, but it then has to work in the real world, and bookies can change the rules or withdraw an offer at the last minute.

Its the aggression thats concerning. If its one rule for him and another for everyone else, thats not reasonable.

It is not gambling, there is a guaranteed profit. It does involve placing bets during short time windows otherwise you will miss out, and if that doesn't fit with your family life then he needs to think about whether it is a suitable way to make money.

However, you should listen to what is involved, and decide whether placing a bet for 2 min in the morning is worth the profit he is making on it.

Is the money he makes being used by the family? If so, I think you should think of it as you would a husband who is a trader. He had a time sensitive bet to place and it sounds as if he is tired of your lack of interest or being closed minded. It'S not gambling. But he shouldn't have been rude to you!

Nice balanced view here, thanks folks!

Matched betting isn’t gambling, but it could still be done compulsively.

I have minimal understanding re the match betting, but it’s never okay for him to speak to you like that. If it’s making him unpleasant, it’s a problem.

I think YABU it was a few minutes and may have made you £20.

The shouting was unreasonable though.

YANBU.

Matched betting may not be gambling as such but neither is it risk free in that it will still trigger the same chemical reactions in the brain that regular gambling does. Your dh's extreme reaction is abnormal. It's the kind of rage that a regular gambling addict will throw when thwarted.

Are you sure it's "only" matched betting he's up to?

Matched betting is not gambling.

Your husband simply made the decision to act like an arse.

Matched betting is NOT gambling.
YABU for expecting him to listen to you (no phones at the table) but not listen to him (explain about his hobby)
He was BVU for shouting and being aggressive.

@mysticpizza what a load of rubbish. It doesn't trigger the same reactions at all. Do you think I get the thrill a gambling addict might when I'm helping the kids with their times tables too?

You need to listen to him op. It's not gambling and for you to think so means you're not paying attention to something that is helping your finances out

Why have you "asked him not to do matched betting from the start"?

Do you want him to go part time at work too?

@Inebriati yeah they can. But that never happens. The fact you called it "gambling" shows you don't know what it is.

Wow can’t believe these responses. Gambling addict in my family so I’ve done the reading and watched the docs.

To believe that matches betting is “guaranteed profit”, “risk free” and “not gambling” is just phenomenally naive.

Ask him to help you understand by watching this together...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p07hjnl6

www.vice.com/en_uk/article/a3mgmk/i-tried-matched-betting-to-see-how-much-easy-money-i-could-make

Matched betting is not gambling. I have made thousands at it. No one ever believes matched betters that they aren't addicted but it is a mathematical process.

Based on my experiences most people refuse to believe because they have to be right.

It's not gambling, I do matched betting daily. Have you even researched what it is?

Are you sure he is doing mtched betting instead of online gambling? His temper when he doesn't get to do whatever on his phone does indicate a problem.

He's probably lost his temper because he's getting nagged not to do something without the poster even knowing what it is. Even your title suggest you don't have a clue but won't learn about it and moan instead?