Degenerate IX

What does the term "degenerate" mean in the world of sports betting? What is meant by the term "degenerate"?

In sports betting, a "degenerate" is a negative term for somebody who has had their entire life consumed by gambling. There are rich "degenerates" who are able to scratch their gambling itch by accumulating income from other areas, though most degenerates are usually in a constant state of having no money and needing to borrow to continue gambling.

For instance - let's say that there is a fairly successful poker player who has won a couple of major tournaments. This player is unable to control himself while betting on sports, and has lost millions of dollars betting on college basketball. While this player should have a considerable bankroll from his tournament victories, instead he is left to grovel for stakes to get entered into tournaments. This player would be considered a "degenerate" as he is unable to control his gambling on sports.

Being a "degenerate" doesn't necessarily mean that you are broke, as there are some rich Chinese billionaires who love nothing better than gambling 12 hours plus per day. While these players could be considered "degenerates" thanks to their fascination with gambling, at least they have the bankroll to play in the games that they are sitting in.

There have been numerous well-documented examples of former professional athletes who turned out to be degenerate gamblers. Instead of sitting on tens of millions of dollars, these athletes eventually went broke because they could not control their compulsiveness.

Day 293

A week from Day 300. Need to think of a small reward. I am focusing on Day 365. I will get a decent reward when I hit the one year mark.

A few urges to gamble. Less frequent though. I was having a pub lunch, I had a few coins in my pocket and I kind of stopped in my tracks when I noticed all the flashing bright colourful lights. My hand went towards my pocket due to instinct. I managed to stop myself. Annoying that I am still tempted after all this time.

Congratulations degenerate on 300 Days gamble free.

Wonderful achievement. It pleases me to see friends succeeding in their recovery..stephen

May I add my congratulations Degen - delighted for you mate. Roll on a year, always with one eye scanning the horizon for that lurking gambling devil, always ready to kick it into touch 🙂

Brooooooo! Over 300 days! Wow ! I miss the chat room 🙂 hopefully they’ll sort it out quicker so we can talk about all the treats you bought for yourself 😉 many congratulations

Many thanks to Stephen, Mixer and Sars. The amazing support from fellow gamblers on Gamcare certainly helps with my recovery.

Day 306

I didnt buy anything special for my Day 300 reward as I forgot. I think I got pizza that day, that will need to be my reward. I think I am making good progress, I seem to have forgot I was a degenerate gambler as I have hardly logged on to Gamcare in the past couple of weeks.

Day 309

I have not been dwelling on debts at all for a couple of months. After a lot of meddling I managed to get myself down from many many debts to one BIG credit card debt. I checked my credit rating for the first time in months and apparently my loan affordability was good. So I applied for a big loan that will cover my CC debt and now I will be paying a big loan debt instead of a big CC debt. The APR is lower than the CC so I think its a good move but I dont think its healthy to be obsessing over my debt, I seem to make big finance changes every other month.

Good on you mate. So pleased you are still off. I too am looking at loans to pay off ccards.

Thanks TulsiT. Got the loan yesterday and immediately paid of Credit Cards. I feel good even though I am technically in more debt.

Day 315

Not thought about gambling, been in bookies or watched any TV racing for a good while. I have had a few gambling dreams though which is a bit worrying.

I got a phone call from my local pawn shop today. They were offering some incentive where I got £5 off, I just dismissed the offer without fully hearing the deal. I guess they miss me pawning all my nice things every other month. A nice reminder that I am in a much better place today than when I was gambling. I do not need to go anywhere near a pawn shop.

I must stay mentally strong. Just 50 days to go till I get a full year.

Day 317

Usually I put all my money in my CCs every payday and live of them throughout the month for daily bills. Now that I dont have CC debt I have cash in my account. Getting a few extra gambling thoughts as the small amount of extra money means I am always thinking of ways to spend it.

Stay strong degenerate. You are doing so well and not too far off a year gamble free. Many thanks for posting on my diary.

Sorry your having thoughts and dreams of gambling but I imagine they will pass. Maybe we are never totally out of the woods but presumably it gets easier the further we are from the last bet.

Keep blazing that trail...stephen

Thanks for visiting my page bro! Hope they can fix the chat room soon so we can catch up 🙂 ! Keep up the good work ! ODAAT

Sars

Thank you Sars. See you in chat some day.

A few bits of bad news this week have had me thinking of gambling. Some available cash is not helping. I used to put cash towards CCs and log in to Chat most days to combat gambling urges. I need to rethink my strategy.

Going well for weeks and then sudden urges have me feeling like I am on Day 2.

Day 322

Looking at my day count and counting down the days. Am I counting down to 1 whole year of no gambling or counting down to a day I can gamble again? Surely the first one. I have been tempted and I dont know if I would have abstained from gambling if I wasnt so close to my latest goal.