|
Gambling addiction is a serious family problem and one that I was fortunate enough to overcome twelve years ago. But it wasn’t easy. Playing cards for money during my early teenage years seemed like an innocent way to pass time yet all along I sensed that there was something very different between me and my peers. While others were quite content to get up and leave when they had enough, I never wanted the game to end regardless of whether I was winning or losing. My first visit to the racetrack was when I was thirteen years old. A two dollar bet turned out to be a winning ticket worth $230. This win left such an impression on me that by the time I was fifteen, I was a regular weekend patron. While friends were exploring partying and relationships, my first love was lady luck. The only way my gambling changed over the next twenty years is that it became more frequent, bigger bets and more desperate. Action became my passion. |
|
| In the mid eighties I took my first trip to Las Vegas. For someone who
craved action, this was heaven. This is also where I was introduced to
sports betting. On subsequent trips you could always find me sitting at the
sports book. Here you could bet on the outcome of any sporting event as
well as horse racing from the best racetracks across the county.
To continue betting sports upon returning home I found myself a
bookmaker to feed my urges. Although I had a good job that paid well,
finding ways to continually finance my gambling became a regular part of
my daily routine. After twenty some years of excessive gambling, the ship
was going down quickly and I felt like there was no way to stop it. I
believed that no one could possibly understand that I had no control over
the insanity that had taken over my life. |
 |
|
Years later as I reflect back, a feeling of gratitude comes over me.
Grateful to my family and all those who assisted me in overcoming the most
devastating experience I have ever dealt with.
Nick Rupcich For Previous Issues of "The Chase" please Click Here |
|
| Resources |
|
| Police Perspective |
|
| Cop Driven To Crime |
|
| Office of Probation & Parole |
|
Did You Know?
As a financial crime
investigator it is very
evident that the feeding
of a gambling habit is
becoming a more
common motive in
fraud investigations.
Financial crimes
generated from
gambling addictions
know no social
boundaries. The
suspects include professionals,
bankers, lawyers and police
officers.
It is distressing when a husband or
wife calls to complain that their
spouse has mortgaged the house to
fuel their addiction. Our reply,
“we’re the police, call a
counsellor”.
Detective M.L. Kelly |