First off, this post is not an attempt to criticize gambling. It can be a lot of fun and definitely adds to the excitement of watching races. I don't think there is anything wrong with betting on sports, as long as you're being responsible and sticking to your limits. Instead, this post is a way for me to vent and share my experience so that no one else ends up in the position I put myself in over the past year.
I am extremely embarrassed and ashamed but if this post helps even one person, it will be worth it.
So about a year ago, I read a post about betting on supercross races so I thought I would give it a shot. Throughout the season, I would bet on races, winning some and losing some. All in all, I came pretty close to breaking even. Once the season came to an end, I realized that I really enjoyed betting on races so I decided to bet on other sports. I did research on teams and games and ultimately built this false sense of confidence, almost believing I had some kind of edge over the sportsbook.
By early summer, I was overwhelmed with bills. I had rent due, bills due, vehicle repairs, bike needed work, etc. It was during this time that I placed a large bet on a Baseball game and won, which afforded me more than enough to get everything taken care of while also reinforcing this belief that I was becoming "good" at betting.
As the year continued, I found myself in a downward spiral. My small bets grew larger and when I lost, I would chase those losses with even bigger bets in a desperate attempt to break even. This pattern defined my summer and weekends. If I won, I could afford to attend races and pay entry fees; if I lost, I stayed home, and bills piled up.
This whole summer until mid-December, I was caught in a cycle of trying to recover my losses, but I never managed to get back to where I started. I would have $200 in my pocket while facing a $1,000 bill, convinced I could turn that $200 into enough to cover it, only to lose again. I even opened credit cards and basically, I've financially hit rock bottom.
Now, I find myself owing my landlord about $2,000 due to missed rent payments and overdue bills. Facing the reality that I won't be able to come up with that in the next couple of days, I am coming to the realization that I am going to lose my home, which also serves as my business location, due to missed rent payments and overdue bills. Not to mention, my dumb ass drained not only my personal account but the little bit of money my small business was making. I am beyond disappointed in myself and just can't fucking believe I did this to myself.
To get back on my feet, I’ll have to sell my bike and trailer. It's hard to stay positive, but I try to be an optimist and I'm determined to find something positive in this situation. It’s been a tough lesson, but I’m moving forward and will find a way out. I’ve closed all my sportsbook accounts, marking the end of that chapter of my life.
Hopefully, sooner than later, I'll see you all at the races again!
-MidwestMoto
Again, I’m not here to criticize gambling or sports betting. I encourage everyone to give it a try, but do so wisely. Never bet more than you can afford, especially not your bill money. Don’t let it define you. The odds are against you, and pursuing it too aggressively could lead you down a path like mine.
Good post and a great thing to share. Thanks for that.
This is just another one of life’s lessons. Make the necessary adjustments and learn form it.
Good luck!
Manny
Tough story to hear, and good luck in turning everything back around. I enjoy a small bit of gambling myself (Blackjack, playing the ponies) but figured out early on that it wasn't something I ever wanted to go over the deep end with. My mom used to tell me stories of my Grampa slipping away to Golden Gate Fields to bet the horses, but he had a serious gambling problem that cost their family a bunch. When I remember her telling me of the family's losses due to his gambling, it put a real control point in my brain to always keep the gambling fun and never let it get even a little beyond that.
It takes courage to spill your guts like that. Thats admirable. I wish you the best.
The Shop
DeCal Works Huge Plastic Inventory of UFO and Polisport kits.
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
Thanks for the well written account of an all-too-common experience over the last few years of ubiquitous betting availability.
Great post, something that most people are reluctant to share. Sounds like you’re on the right track!
All of us, at some point or another, have let the devil on our shoulder be louder than our voice of reason.
Good on you for putting this out in the world as a cautionary tale....looking forward to part 2 that includes redemption my friend!
Thanks for sharing your gripping tale. Gambling only works if you look at it like entertainment.
Some folks will drop $5K on a Taylor Swift show, others $5K in the casino. Only bet what you can afford to lose.
Major props to you for being vulnerable and sharing with all of us. I believe coming clean in a public way is a good way to hold yourself accountable. You'll forever have this voice of reason in your head to steer clear of these dark pathways in your journey ahead.
I look forward to hearing about your bounce back from this!
Side note: Being a young man of 28, I just learned a couple months ago that rock bottom was the moment where one chooses to say "Enough. I will not go lower that this." I always thought life would send you upward at some point. Now I know it's all about our choices. I commend you for making this one.
PM sent, I just started a side business helping people with their finances. If you are interested I might be able to help you.
You’ve made the hardest step in getting back in charge. You’ll be dialed in soon enough.
Thanks for sharing and keep grinding
Sorry to hear that. Hoping for 2025 to be a better story for you.
Personally i'm a bit angry every time i hear/see ad on sportsbetting during game/race. Inside me i know that the ad wasn't paid by the betting company because it does not make money it was paid by the guy betting, aka losing... and it's legal and somehow moral to advertise that. Maybe the guy at the end was taking it easy and enjoying fun with spare cash but the increasing ammount of the ads make me somehow doubt that.
Be responsible guys and remember:
It took a lot of courage to post that. You will be back on your feet soon. Sending positive vibes your way. There’s a reason they say ‘The house always wins’.
Best of luck to you and hope you flourish in 2025.
Thanks for sharing…if your only $2000 behind your lucky. That’s really peanuts in the grand scheme of things. People are further in debt from buying Xmas gifts…
Anyways, I take the same approach to playing the stock market/crypto..I only invest what I have an appetite to lose that will never effect me financially/personally.
Sports betting is the quickest way to lose large sums of money. It has ruined many many people
I don’t mean to brag, but one of the last times I was in Vegas for work I sat down at a blackjack table and lost $200 in under three minutes. Neither I nor my wife was happy with the ROI.
How does it compare to competing in motorsports?
This is a cautionary tale many people need to read. I know I needed it. Thanks for posting it.
Pit Row
it's just a life learning lesson man everyones been somewhere, buckle down, pay your debt, dont do it again , start over and you will be better
Good luck,
Sad but great post of vulnerabilty.
Happy "New Year"
Man, when I opened this thread I was expecting to see someone’s tales of triumph but the unfortunate reality is that your story is not uncommon. Most people just don’t share their story.
I don’t have much to add other than even if the road ahead is going to be long and tough, you’re still alive and kicking and that’s what matters the most. It takes a big man to post a story like that, thanks for sharing.
At least we get some cool stuff for lighting money on fire
Glad your getting back on track. Nobody starts betting thinking they will develop a problem, but you’re far from alone. If someone reading this is thinking “I’m smarter than all those people who developed a problem”, just remember this: no you’re not.
I feel very fortunate that I’ve never been bitten by the gambling bug, because I’m certain that I’d end up with a similar story. I remember when I was young and my aunt and uncle were talking about their recent trip to Las Vegas and my aunt kept talking about a slot machine win of something like $1K. My uncle was a bit more subdued and when I asked him later why he didn’t seem as excited ($1K was a decent little payout back then), he told me that she forgot to mention how much she had lost before that win. I still remember him asking me if I knew how they built the big fancy casinos, and then told me it’s because everyone who goes there says they’ve come back a winner. That stuck with me, thankfully.
Many people never learn this, or do realize it but are powerless to stop. These casinos were not built on gambling house losses.
OP, stay strong. Thanks for being brave enough to share your story.
Thanks for sharing. Hoping your 2025 is fantastic, MM.
Well…..stop doing that. Gambling with the boys is always fun as hell. Things will get better. STOP GAMBLING. Now you are cured
Unsure of what you are getting at with the pic.
I'm offering my help as a part-time financial, if the OP wants it I'm here to help. If he doesn't that's cool, I'm just making an offer because I believe I can help him if he wants the help.
It ain't a bank that's for sure. I didn't gamble for nearly the entirety of my 20's because I just didn't have the income.
But I do love to gamble. I stay the fuck out of sports books though. I tried it a bit in college on a trip to Vegas. I lost my bets and I hated the feeling that someone else lost my money. Even losing money in a slot felt better to me. At least I pressed the button. Or busting on a BlackJack table. I didn't have to take the card, but I did and I'm ok with that. I'm even ok with losing on someone else's roll on the craps table. But something about sports betting just felt like I had less control than the toss of the dice.
Sports betting also scares me with the accuracy with which these actuaries are able to set the lines. It's so crazy to me. I wonder if Vegas oddsmakers are prohibited from gambling at other books?
And midwestmoto, it sounds like you've really come to terms with the gravity of the situation you're in. I hope that you're able to buy a new dirtbike in a few months saving money that would have gone to sports betting.
Thanks for sharing, it happens all too often and you were lucky to get out when you did as it gets much worse. Gambling is fun, but you are not going to win in the long run. I used to have a GF who was a dealer in a popular town in Nevada at a popular casino, and she was able to count cards. She knew when to tell me to hit or stay. That's the only way you have a chance at winning. And then they will catch on and boot you out when they see you cashing out stacks of their C notes.
Post a reply to: My Gambling Story of 2024