[Surprise! I've decided, on a whim, to have a change of scenes. Ha ha, you can change your look overnight. Literally. Just with a few clicks and some copying and pasting. I realise that some of the colours I used previously don't work with this new template, but I don't think I'll bother changing them. No time for that...]
In today's ST, there was an article about how rich, famous and addicted athletes spend - and lose - tons of money gambling.
Charles Barkley, once the NBA's Most Valuable Player, lost US$10 million (S$16 million) gambling.
Golfer John Daly has lost US$55 to US$60 million over the last 10 years.
Etc.
Here's what Mr Barkley says about his 'habit':
'It's not a problem. If you're a drug addict or an alcoholic, those are problems. I've got to a point where I don't gamble as much.
I'm not going to quit gambling as it's my life and it's my money.
Let's get this straight: losing millions of dollars at the blackjack table is not the problem. Those big bets are. Wagering less is the answer.'
Ha ha...
He is quoted at the end of the article again:
'I like to gamble. It's really nobody's business because it's my own money. I earned it... Do I think it's a bad habit? Yes. Am I going to continue to do it? Yes.
But I've got to understand you can't beat the casino.'
Ha ha again.
But it's not so funny, of course, when you think seriously about gambling addiction. I don't know how rich Barkley is but let's say he was worth US$40 million. So he lost a quarter of his money gambling. He still has lots to live on and to gamble further.
Now let's say a Mr Tan earns S$4,000 a month and loses a quarter of this gambling. He's poorer by $1,000. He has $3,000 left for utilities, housing and other loans, insurance, savings, and if he has a family, many bills to pay. Let's say his is a double income family. His wife's (hopefully she's not a gambler herself) salary will be of some help here. Better yet if he stops gambling altogether after this major $1,000 setback. But will he?
Then let's say there's this Mr Lim who earns $400 a month and loses a quarter of this gambling. He has just $300 left...
Say Mr Tan and Mr Lim are as addicted to and as deluded - or 'enlightened', depending on how you want to see it - about gambling as Mr Barkley. What are the odds for them?
Many years ago in Melbourne, we saw children sitting outside the casino doing their homework, resting, etc while their parents staked their chips at the gambling table. It was quite a shocker to me. Things like that I don't forget too easily.
Especially now, with the World Cup and casinos around the corner...
[Aiyah... David Nalbandian lost to Roger Federer in the ATP Masters semi-final. Was following the live scoring on the Internet for a bit because they have been showing the FA Cup on channel 24 all this while. And STILL showing it. It was apparently a 'very even encounter'. Third set tie-break and all. ]
In today's ST, there was an article about how rich, famous and addicted athletes spend - and lose - tons of money gambling.
Charles Barkley, once the NBA's Most Valuable Player, lost US$10 million (S$16 million) gambling.
Golfer John Daly has lost US$55 to US$60 million over the last 10 years.
Etc.
Here's what Mr Barkley says about his 'habit':
'It's not a problem. If you're a drug addict or an alcoholic, those are problems. I've got to a point where I don't gamble as much.
I'm not going to quit gambling as it's my life and it's my money.
Let's get this straight: losing millions of dollars at the blackjack table is not the problem. Those big bets are. Wagering less is the answer.'
Ha ha...
He is quoted at the end of the article again:
'I like to gamble. It's really nobody's business because it's my own money. I earned it... Do I think it's a bad habit? Yes. Am I going to continue to do it? Yes.
But I've got to understand you can't beat the casino.'
Ha ha again.
But it's not so funny, of course, when you think seriously about gambling addiction. I don't know how rich Barkley is but let's say he was worth US$40 million. So he lost a quarter of his money gambling. He still has lots to live on and to gamble further.
Now let's say a Mr Tan earns S$4,000 a month and loses a quarter of this gambling. He's poorer by $1,000. He has $3,000 left for utilities, housing and other loans, insurance, savings, and if he has a family, many bills to pay. Let's say his is a double income family. His wife's (hopefully she's not a gambler herself) salary will be of some help here. Better yet if he stops gambling altogether after this major $1,000 setback. But will he?
Then let's say there's this Mr Lim who earns $400 a month and loses a quarter of this gambling. He has just $300 left...
Say Mr Tan and Mr Lim are as addicted to and as deluded - or 'enlightened', depending on how you want to see it - about gambling as Mr Barkley. What are the odds for them?
Many years ago in Melbourne, we saw children sitting outside the casino doing their homework, resting, etc while their parents staked their chips at the gambling table. It was quite a shocker to me. Things like that I don't forget too easily.
Especially now, with the World Cup and casinos around the corner...
[Aiyah... David Nalbandian lost to Roger Federer in the ATP Masters semi-final. Was following the live scoring on the Internet for a bit because they have been showing the FA Cup on channel 24 all this while. And STILL showing it. It was apparently a 'very even encounter'. Third set tie-break and all. ]
Comments
Thanks! I like it better too!