Gambling

[Swimdog23]

I have recently found out that my new friend of one year owns one of the biggest gambling companies. I put a lot of effort into friendship and value it highly but to be honest it's shaken me and I am not sure of what to do.

If you like your friend, don’t do anything. If, however, you are opposed to gambling to the extent that you feel you can no longer be friends with her, that’s up to you. Your friend hasn’t changed!

Your friend owns one of the biggest gambling companies? Do you mean one the biggest? Denise Coates owns bet365 and she's a billionaire - are you talking about someone like this and you had no idea what she did for a year of friendship?

Thanks. It's a he. I have been involved with someone in the past whose partner was addicted to gambling and it nearly ruined her life. He had remortgaged their house and spent £80000 leaving her with debts which took years to clear.

I researched the lengths that gambling company owners go to to ensure that people part with their money as easily as possible and the techniques are not pretty. But this guy is a lovely person.

Thanks Tisthedamnseason. Good questions. Answer to both is yes. Any business person of that calibre will have diversified into other businesses sometimes of equal or even bigger size than the original company they started. So any front can be presented to you. Sometimes we don't ask the right questions maybe or we just simply trust. I exaggerated the year, probably more like 6 months.

Anyway, I am not sure that detracts from the question on what people on here would give as advice. Do I cut loose on the principle that gambling is not a good thing or do I look past that and see the person's good qualities which he does have?

People working in the gambling industry are just trying to make a living like anyone else. The gambler makes his own life choices honestly the industry is extremely regulated way more so than alcohol industry would you be angry if you found out a friend owned a pub?
Alcohol is one of the biggest killers

Thanks Banking. Yes I have thought about alcohol addiction. It affects the individual who chooses to drink and maybe one or two close relatives and friends. Gambling leaves a legacy of unpaid debt which can affect close relatives for many years after the gambler has done the deeds so to speak. The number of gambling related suicides amongst addicts is very significant but not enough to alter the dubious practices of the gambling companies to actually promote addiction. Gamble Aware does not go far enough in many psychologists minds.

Maybe I am answering my own question but it is interesting to know other people's perspectives.

Alcohol can affect people for generations, it's certainly no less damaging than gambling

If he owned a brewery would you feel differently?

It wouldn't bother me at all. And my family have been affected by a close family member's gambling.

Agreed I know siblings with FAS and one of the symptoms of FAS is low iq which affects their abilities to look after their children. Alcohol can screw up entire family lineages.

The gambling industry is so regulated and gamblers make their choices then they sue when they lose or abuse casino/shop workers. I save my sympathy for the people in the gambling industry just trying to make a living. Although I do sympathise with gamblers wives and children where hes been especially stupid with the money. Although with men like that if it wasn't gambling it would be something else

Thanks Rita. I took have known both addictions in the family and have to say that gambling has been the worst. The alcohol addiction was a life long addiction and although there was a family depressive quality about it as you would expect, when the person finally passed away through a massive organ collapse it came as a relief to almost every one.
The gambler in the family seemed to have a more far reaching affect into the extended family and finally left her (the wife) with massive debts and having three young children was threatened with house eviction. Every day is a worry that enough money is not there not just to live but to.pay off the debt.
Having seen both I am of the opinion that gambling addiction is worse. The guy took his own life through the worry and depression.

Thanks for your help people.

Gamblers make their own choices, they are not forced, the same as smokers and drinkers are not forced, they have to recognise themselves when it's not healthy anymore or need to seek help, if your friend sold cigarettes you would still be friends with him, it's just you've seen firsthand what gambling can do so it's touched a nerve.

Thanks copper I guess you are right.

I've got both in my family and think alcohol is worst no question.

Gambling is an horrific one too though.

It's a case of choosing your poison really. Good luck with your decision.