Paul Merson blew 160k betting in lockdown

[HoylandOwl]

https://www.ladbible.com/news/paul-merson-family-160000-house-deposit-gambling-20220918

Since those games with Arsenal in the early 90s, I’ve far from been a fan or Merson. However, his gambling and drink addiction was sad to read about.

So, to see it reappear a few years ago, just shows how addictions can destroy things very quickly. 

[Andyben]

No sympathy from me, stupid prick

 

[HoylandOwl]

Tbh AB, I ain’t that fussed about Merson, per se, it bothers me more that people can get so easily sucked in and back into something that can cause so much damage. 
Yet, tobacco advertising isn’t allowed, but Ray fucking Winstone etc can spam the shit out of each ad break and thats ok.

Yes one brings a life ending illness; however, you could argue gambling has as much of a psychological negative affect for those who have that addictive personality that it grabs hold of.

[Andyben]

But he chose to do it, even after all his perceived troubles in the past.

Nobody forced him.

[HoylandOwl]

I didn’t say that… just saying it’s a sad situation that it’s continually allowed to happen. Yet, other things which are deemed bad for us, either psychologically or physically, are banned/not as visible. 

[Andyben]

I agree, you've got three teams (two in the PL) whose owners make their  wealth from sports betting, seems counter intuitive to then try to ban players 

[Otto_Man]

2 hours ago, Andyben said:

But he chose to do it, even after all his perceived troubles in the past.

Nobody forced him.

Not exactly how addiction works AB...

[lobster]

Some years back Swiss Ramble did a report on English club owners linked to gambling. It was not just direct links also included some very suble indirect links . At the time the majority of Championship clubs were involved someway >( We were div 1 at the time )

[Andyben]

2 hours ago, Otto_Man said:

Not exactly how addiction works AB...

Yes iot is, If you're alcoholic, you avoid pubs. He's a weak minded idiot that deserves no sympathy and him blaming his own weaknesses on a purported medical condition instead of manninbg up to them is appaling

[Reesh]

20 minutes ago, Andyben said:

Yes iot is, If you're alcoholic, you avoid pubs. He's a weak minded idiot that deserves no sympathy and him blaming his own weaknesses on a purported medical condition instead of manninbg up to them is appaling

And he is a ****

[Otto_Man]

1 hour ago, Andyben said:

Yes iot is, If you're alcoholic, you avoid pubs. He's a weak minded idiot that deserves no sympathy and him blaming his own weaknesses on a purported medical condition instead of manninbg up to them is appaling

It's a dark hole you seem to have never been down (which I'm pleased for you about), most addicts don't actually want to do what they're doing, they just can't stop. 

[Otto_Man]

There were a lot of downsides to lockdown and a lot of focus on loneliness, but it was equally hard for people who weren't on their own for other reasons, particularly those battling addiction, the things you do to distract yourself aren't there

[Andyben]

49 minutes ago, Otto_Man said:

It's a dark hole you seem to have never been down (which I'm pleased for you about), most addicts don't actually want to do what they're doing, they just can't stop. 

Sadly I have, and I realise what it takes to over come these thinghs and blaming one's impulses on a 'condition' is never going to stop you

[Tylluan]

6 hours ago, Andyben said:

I agree, you've got three teams (two in the PL) whose owners make their  wealth from sports betting, seems counter intuitive to then try to ban players 

That is an excellent point

[Otto_Man]

1 hour ago, Andyben said:

Sadly I have, and I realise what it takes to over come these thinghs and blaming one's impulses on a 'condition' is never going to stop you

Sorry to hear that bud and good on you for overcoming it