How To Fix Gambling Debt

Gambling addictions very often result in significant financial losses. It’s not uncommon for tens and even hundreds of thousands of dollars to be the gambling debt of a single individual.

Credit cards are opened and used to their limits. Property and possessions are traded and sold. Bills go unpaid. Money is borrowed from family members and friends.

And at the end, the total cost of gambling has stacked up significantly.

How to Pay Off Gambling Debt. The basic principle is that you take out one large loan to pay off your smaller debts. Then you only pay one creditor. There are a few ways to do this. Consolidation credit cards and loans are two options. Look for a credit card that offers 0% interest for a year to 18 months. Jul 13, 2019  Paying Off Gambling Debt. Once you deal with the addiction, then you can focus on the debt. Start by writing out a list of everyone you owe. Some of your gambling debt may be on credit cards. You may have overdrawn bank accounts. Or, you may even owe casinos. Put all the debts. Oct 11, 2007  Ok, I have a sizeable amount of gambling losses through my bank account to an online sportsbook. Right now I could care less about the ethical issues but I am going to try to recoup the gambling losses (to help me pay off my legit debt) because they should have never been processed.

What can you do?

Start Your Gambling Addiction & Gambling Debt Recovery

Before any sort of financial plan to repay debts can begin, the problem gambler must first begin his or her recovery. Gambling must be stopped. Find the counselor, support groups or rehabilitation treatment center needed to keep the recovery on track and help begin to repair relationships with family members and friends. If you’re the problem gambler, you’ll have to work on your own relationship with yourself, building up self respect and hope for your future.

Find out how to seek help for problem gambling, and find the local opportunities for family members to get the support they need as they work to repair the consequences of addiction.

Outline a List of All Debts That Need to be Repaid

For a financial recovery to begin, there needs to be complete honesty about all debts that exist. Outline a comprehensive list of all debts, such as:

  • The debt of one or more credit cards
  • Unpaid utility bills, phone and cable bills, insurance or other regularly-scheduled payments
  • Past-due mortgage or rent payments
  • Open tabs or credits at various gaming and sports venues
  • Money borrowed from family members and friends that must be returned, whether partially or in full
  • Money that had been pulled out of savings or other funds the family depends on for the future

For progress to be made, every debt must be exposed to your spouse or head of household, anyone that depends on you for necessities, and anyone working with you to get out of debt, such as an attorney or trained counselor.

Name the Person Responsible for the Finances of the Problem Gambler

If you are the problem gambler, it is likely your access to your family’s paychecks, savings accounts and other financial accounts will be taken away. Early in your recovery, you will need to be focused on staying away from gambling opportunities, and being restricted from money sources will help everyone.

Someone else, such as your husband, wife or parents, will take responsibility for managing bills and making payments where necessary. He or she (or they) will be in charge of managing your finances, and may choose to give you money only when a purpose for its spending is defined. This lack of control for your own money can lessen overtime as your recovery progresses.

How To Fix Gambling Debt

Contact the Appropriate Professionals to Help You Plan Your Financial Recovery

When you or the problem gambler you know begins seeing a counselor and/or members of a support group such as Gamblers Anonymous, ask for advice on who to speak to about financial issues. Some counselors are prepared to help you immediately, while others will refer you to someone for debt management purposes.

Questions and matters that may be discussed include:

  • Is there property, such as vehicles or homes, which need to be sold?
  • Are any debts due to be repaid immediately, such as debts to bookies?
  • Will your credit card companies accept a smaller repayment than what is due?
  • Should you be seeking a second job to help repay debts and avoid free time previously spent gambling?
  • Are there titles and accounts that need to be transferred into the name of someone other than the problem gambler?

Every problem gambler’s debt situation is unique, and repayment plans must be customized based on the type of debts, amount of debt and income available to repay them. The best way to begin straightening out finances is to begin the process with complete honesty and professional guidance.

To find help for problem gambling or to help a recovery stay on track, contact the NYS HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY.

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How To Fix Gambling Debt Relief

It’s a wager. You bet something of value – usually money – on an event with an uncertain outcome hoping to take home a bigger return. That shouldn’t be news to most people. About 85% of adults in the U.S. have gambled at least once in their life and the gambling industry takes in about $500 billion a year.

What might be news is that as many as 23 million Americans go into debt because of gambling and the average loss is estimated to be around $55,000.

How To Fix Gambling Debt Calculator

So how do gamblers pay for their losses?

They “borrow” from credit cards, savings accounts, investment portfolios, retirement funds – anywhere there’s money or credit available – hoping to fund the one big bet that gets them back to even.

But if you’re out of luck and that pile of chips has turned into a pile of debt, the answer is not to go all in. The answer is to convince yourself to stop gambling altogether, and seek psychological help for the addictive nature of the problem.

Steps to Overcome Gambling Addiction

Before you think about paying off your gambling debts, treat the root of the problem: an addiction to betting. It won’t do you any good to make a $1,000 payment on your credit cards, if you bet a $1,000 on this week’s big game and lose. You’re still in a hole, it’s just a little deeper.

Here are some ways to address your gambling addiction first. Once you get your mind right, then you can get your finances straightened out.

How
  1. Make a choice to quit gambling – A gambling addiction is classified as a substance abuse disorder, so treat it as such and get straightened out. To say that you are going to stop gambling implies that you may start again. Decide yourself that you will quit gambling forever.
  2. Cut off gambling fund – Close any credit accounts that could feed your gambling problem. Get rid of credit cards and especially ATM cards. Have your bank require two signatures for a withdrawal, one from you and one from a trusted friend or relative. Compulsive gamblers can get the urge to place a bet at any time. Create a buffer between you and your money.
  3. Treat your addiction – There is an 800-number national help line as well as many treatment centers and clinics for people with a gambling addiction. Therapy can help with your problem, and entering a safe environment where you can get some things off your chest will offer relief. Gambling addictions were added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as a substance abuse disorder. That means your health insurance is required to provide some form of coverage for therapy through the Affordable Care Act mandate.
  4. Get a support system – It’s hard to admit to yourself that you have a problem, and it’s even harder to admit to others, but it could be the key to keeping you motivated. Explain to your friends and relatives that you have a problem. They should be understanding and admire that you are getting help. It is hard to go about it alone and much easier when you have loved ones encouraging you. Look for support groups like Gamblers Anonymous. It will be beneficial to get advice from people you can relate to, the ones that have been there and done that.
  5. Understand the term winnings – Winnings is how much money you won gambling. It’s what everyone wants to know after you place a bet. How much did you win? You probably know deep down that winnings does not count how much you bet, so know it up front. For example, don’t think that you won a modest $30 if you placed $10 bets in five different leagues and only one paid out. That’s a loss. Daily fantasy sports are especially good at tricking you into thinking you are winning money, when in fact, you are losing.

Gambling’s Impact on Family and Friends

A gambling addiction affects more than just the gambler. The money lost at the casino could have gone to bills and to provide for a family. Friends and relatives that feel the effects of someone’s gambling problem can seek help from organizations like GamCare.

Family and friends absorb the fall out that comes when gamblers start searching for ways to cover their habits and their losses.

Some of the signs that someone you know might be addicted to gambling include:

  • Constantly talks about gambling opportunities
  • Unable to cut back or stop gambling
  • Willing to take high risks when gambling
  • Takes time off from work to gamble
  • Tries to hide gambling habits from family and friends
  • Asks for loans to cover gambling losses
How To Fix Gambling Debt

Family and friends are usually the first ones to recognize these signs. If you see this happening, bring it to the gambler’s attention and stand by them when they reach out for help at treatment centers or clinics.

How to Pay Off Gambling Debt

Once the addiction has been treated, it’s time to deal with the debts that resulted. There are several avenues to address that issue, but one that seldom is suggested would be to put them in touch with a credit counselor from a nonprofit debt management agency.

The credit counselors can help them get on a budget and assist with things like reducing interest rates on credit cards. This is usually a long process so family and friends of a gamble should be patient while waiting for a successful outcome.

Gambling debt is no different than other types of debt. You often owe multiple people or creditors money plain and simple. You need to develop a plan to pay them back.

  • List who you owe and how much you owe – Write down everyone you owe money too. That includes casinos, bookies, loan sharks, credit cards, overdrawn bank accounts, personal loans and home equity loans. Calculate the dollar amount you owe each of them.
  • Pay off as much as you can – Consider selling some of your valuables like jewelry, electronics or memorabilia. Don’t sell your car if it provides you transportation to work. Pay off what you can right away. The longer you wait, the more dangerous the situation with bookies and loan sharks becomes and the more interest you rack up through credit accounts.
  • Consolidate your debt – Consolidating your debt gives you a clearer picture on what it will take to break even. The basic principle is that you take out one large loan to pay off your smaller debts. Then you only pay one creditor. There are a few ways to do this. Consolidation credit cards and loans are two options. Look for a credit card that offers 0% interest for a year to 18 months. Another option is to enroll in a debt management program, which will take over payment on your credit card debts and help you lower interest rates. You pay the debt management company once a month and they pay your creditors. Talk with a nonprofit credit counselor to see if this might be your best option.
  • Create a budget – You won’t know how much money you can put toward your debt until you know exactly how much money you need to pay every day bills each month. If the numbers don’t add up, you’re going to need more income.
  • Get a second job – The quickest way to get out of debt is to boost your income. That doesn’t mean bet the house on black. You need steady, predictable income. Find a part-time job and apply that money to your gambling debt.
  • Bankruptcy – This should always be a last resort, but in extreme cases it might be the only option. There is no guarantee that your gambling debt will be discharged, but there isn’t a specific law for or against it. However, the trustee may decide that you accumulated the debt with no intention of paying it back. If you can discharge your debts through bankruptcy, know that your credit will tank, and it will stay on your credit report for 7-10 years depending on whether you file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

Odds Are Against You

There is a tiny minority of people who make a living by gambling, but unless you are an expert in statistical analysis, you are most likely in the vast majority who don’t win.

If you are an expert in statistical analysis, you would know that the odds are stacked high against you. It’s one of the reasons the United States leads the world in gambling losses. According to the Economist magazine, U.S. gamblers lost $117 billion legally in 2016 and another $150 billion was wagered with bookies on illegal sports betting.

And there are plenty of places to place a bet.

The casinos in Nevada and New Jersey are the most obvious spots, but hardly the only places to gamble. Native American casinos operate in 28 states with annual revenue of nearly $30 billion.

And gambling does not have to take place in a casino at all. There are horse tracks, dog tracks, jai-alai frontons, daily fantasy leagues and online gambling sites for those so inclined. In fact, gambling of some kind is permitted in every state in the U.S., except in Utah and Hawaii.

The easiest place to gamble is probably right in your neighborhood where you can buy a state lottery ticket or play in the weekly poker game at a friend’s house. Either place can take a big bite out of the family budget if you spend $200-$300 a week to get your fix.

Gambling Common in U.S.

Betting on sports and gaming in other areas is easy to find in the United States. There are many outlets. They include:

  • Card playing
  • Commercial and American Indian-owned casinos
  • Charitable games like bingo
  • Sports betting
  • State lottery games
  • Pari-mutuel wagering on horse and dog racing and jai alai
  • Electronic and internet gambling
  • Fantasy sports leagues

Most Americans are casual gamblers and can indulge from time to time without suffering any negative emotional or financial consequences. They gamble for relatively small sums and don’t bet more than they can afford to lose.

They just want some action. It’s a form of entertainment to them. Their small losses are simply the price of admission. And there is the thrill of winning. The satisfaction that you beat the odds, and this time it wasn’t luck!

Problem Gamblers and Debt

Many other Americans are not casual gamblers. In fact, according to the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), an estimated 2 million people in America meet the accepted criteria for addictive or pathological gambling.

As many as four million to six million people are classified as problem gamblers, and perhaps another 15 million are thought of as at-risk.

Problem gambling is a mental health disorder, in which the individual can’t control the urge to gamble. Like any addiction, problem gambling can cause major disruptions in personal, professional, and family life. It can also precipitate serious financial difficulties.

A problem gambler cannot stop gambling behavior despite the recognition of ever-increasing, serious negative consequences.

Problem gamblers may exhibit any or all of the following characteristics:

  • A preoccupation with gambling and thoughts of gambling
  • Borrowing from co-workers, friends or family in order to gamble
  • Lying about money lost and/or the amount of time spent gambling
  • A growing need to continue betting larger amounts to overcome gambling losses
  • Shifting money around in various accounts to hide gambling activity
  • Selling possessions to finance a gambling habit
  • Restlessness or irritability when attempting to stop gambling
  • Continued unsuccessful attempts to stop or limit gambling
  • Neglecting to pay bills on time and/or taking out many loans
  • Taking money from a spouse or children
  • Criminal activity for the purpose of funding a gambling habit

The most consistent distinguishing aspect of the problem gambler is that his or her finances are usually in some state of disorder. Create your own casino online. That means maxed-out credit cards, overdue bills, overdrawn checking accounts, and/or unpaid or neglected loans.

And they are often in debt.

The average debt generated by a man addicted to gambling is between $55,000 and $90,000. Women gamblers average $15,000 of debt.

How To Fix Us Debt

In extreme cases, problem gambling can result in serious legal problems or financial ruin. More than 20% of compulsive gamblers end up filing for bankruptcy because of gambling losses.

The personal damage is also great: the divorce rate for problem gamblers is twice the rate of non-gamblers, and 1 in 5 addicted gamblers attempt suicide – 20 times the rate of non-gamblers.

Contributing to the debt problems of the compulsive gambler is all-too-easy access to credit: 90% of those suffering from gambling addiction withdraw cash advances from their personal credit card accounts in order to gamble.

Also, long gone are the days when a gambler has to leave the table because of a lack of funds. Casinos extend billions of dollars of loans to their customers each year in the form of credit markers. The casinos charge 3 to 10 percent interest or more for that service. In fact, only about half the money wagered in casinos are funds physically brought onto the premises. The rest is borrowed.

College Students and Online Gambling

College students are among the most vulnerable when it comes to gambling. The combination of free time and easy access to student loan money doesn’t mix well. About 75% of college students have gambled in the last year, and 6% of young adults have a gambling problem— a higher rate than adults— according to the National Center for Responsible Gaming.

There are state lotteries that 18 year-olds can play, and some casinos have an 18+ policy on poker, but the real cause has been the rise of online gambling.

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The Unlawful Internet Gambling Act of 2006 tried to restrict online gambling, targeting poker sites such as PokerStars, Absolute Poker and Full Tilt Poker. Online poker has survived in the U.S. and these days online sports books like Bovada and 5Dimes are thriving.

Fantasy sports were declared a game of skill and excluded from the UIGEA, giving way to an explosion of daily fantasy sports leagues, like DraftKings and FanDuel, in recent years. You may remember them from their $200 million ad campaign in 2015. Fantasy sports have long been a popular recreational activity, with 57.4 million people playing in the U.S. and Canada in 2016. Now it has become a feeding ground for former online poker professionals.

Gambling code of conduct victoria. Keno Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct Victoria 1. Definitions Accredited agent means the person or persons who have been accredited by the Keno Licensee under section 6A.2.4(3) of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 to sell tickets in Keno games Outlet or Keno outlet means the place of business of the accredited agent. Keno Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct Victoria. Accredited agent means the person or persons who have been accredited by the Keno Licensee under section 6A.2.4(3) of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 to sell tickets in keno games. The Gambling Regulation Act 2003 makes it compulsory for certain organisations holding gambling industry licences to have a Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct (Code) and, in the case of gaming venue operators, a self-exclusion program (SEP) in place.

Help With Gambling Debt

When the U.S. Department of Justice indicted three of the main poker sites in 2011, they fled the U.S. market. Online poker players turned to daily fantasy sports. It’s a lucrative business for professionals with access to spreadsheets and algorithms that give them all the advantage over your average sports fan. DraftKings and Fanduel have faced their own legal problems of late, and are currently banned in 11 states.

How To Overcome Gambling Debt

A credit card is all it takes to get wrapped up in the world of online gambling. Before you know it, you’ve landed in a pile of credit card debt.

Don’t be afraid to seek help.