Survey - Does your significant other support your gaming habits?

[Darem1]

I thought it might be fun to take a survey of, on a scale of 1 to 10, how much support of your gaming habits you get from your spouse, partner, significant other, you get the idea. Where #1 would mean they are opposed to any type of gambling at all, #2 may mean limited lotto, a trip to dog or horse track once in a while is OK in their book, #3 would also include limited play at land based casinos, #4 would start to include on-line play (what we are all here for, at a minimum) right on up through a #10 which means that the two of you are fighting over using the computer to see who is going to get to gamble first and you have so much fun gambling together that if you don't look out you will be eventually selling the house and kids, etc. This scale is for THEIR perception of gambling. You could be on line twelve hours a day gambling but if, say, your significant other were opposed to all but the smallest amount of gambling you would say the support for your gaming is probably a #2. For example I would say a #3 in my case because although we go to the tracks and casinos once in a while my little on-line "hobby" wouldn't be looked on as a great idea. Forgive me if this type survey has be done previously, I am fairly new to this forum. Just thought it may be fun and make for a good discussion.

 

[Pinababy69]

I'd be glad to answer, but praise the Lord, I have no significant other, lol.

Interesting topic though, if people answer honestly.

 

[johnsteed]

***

Hmmm,


While I'm also single (for the time being), I have had girlfriends (long-term) who I had dated during my highest points of gambling online.


I think that they would have both qualified anywhere between stages #1-4. But here's the thing, I was excellent at never revealing how much I was playing online. In fact, I would rarely ever elect to discuss it with either one of them. I'm not sure that the "secrecy" factor is a part of your scale, because that may throw everything off kilter. Again, to be clear, they knew I was playing, but it never appeared as though I were ever actually playing.


I probably could never be with someone who's a gambling fanatic, which would mean something (I'm guessing) at about the #6-10 levels on your scale. While I do thoroughly enjoy playing, and have done so for extremely long sessions (at a time), I can't imagine what it would be like having two people hammering away on the computer every night. I'm also at the point now (and this would be going back to a few months now) where I realized that I needed to limit the amount which I spend gambling (financially and especially time-wise).


If I were involved with someone who was RIGHT into it now, that could be disastrous.


I know a married couple, that are quite content with BOTH being right into gambling, and openly (very open about it because that's pretty much all they do). As long as they're happy about their situation, all the power to them. I think that keeping my passion for a loved one seperate from other things (such as gambling) is the best way to go. The idea of gambling (surely at B&M casinos) is appealing and at times (gulp!) "sexy", it even offers tons of "drama" but it's hardly "romantic". There's something neat and tidy about keeping my gaming experience (within the forum and) within the walls of my apartment, AND away from others who are dear to me.


Certainly an interesting topic to cover "Darem1".


Steed

***

 

[PackerBacker]

My husband is 8 or 9.........he doesn't play online at all, but has no problem with my playing. He loves to hear if I have hit a big jackpot, but doesn't ask if I am losing. I think he's just happy that I am doing something I like, so he can run down to the pub without feeling guilty

 

[Mousey]

9 or 10

The family that plays together, stays together. While he's playing poker on his computer, I'm on my computer playing VP or slots at an online casino or cruising the forums.

Our favorite vacation is 3 or 4 (free) nights at a land based casino -- usually 3 or 4 times per year.

But we won't be selling the house or cats... We're very tight with our gambling bankroll. We enjoy gambling, but always stay within our limits -- that's part of the fun.

 

[The Watchdog]

Hell No

As a matter of fact I probably lost the girl I have loved the most in my life due to gambling...

Worst thank Crack this addiction..

 

[tennis_balls]

I'd be glad to answer, but praise the Lord, I have no significant other, lol.

Interesting topic though, if people answer honestly.

Road Trip to Toronto!!!

 

[Darem1]

Thanks to all who have posted so far

Thanks to all who have posted so far. One thing that I thought about - someone may think that I am making the online gambling somehow "worse" on the scale than the bricks and mortar kind, but that wasn't my intent. I guess that what I was getting at, and as someone did mention, is that you really can't hide going to a bricks and mortar casino unless you live in Vegas or someplace like that, ususally you will go as a couple. But online is different.
Sometimes one or the other will play without the other's knowledge, especially if the other person doesn't support your hobby, er habit. Keeo the comments coming, good or bad. When did they get casinos in Toronto? I lived in Canada in the seventies for a while but no casinos up there then.

 

[soflat]

4-5

My other doesn't like to gamble except the occasional lotto ticket or to play a few dollars socially in the slots with friends, but doesn't have any big problem with me going to a track or casino or paying a little online. I am a low stakes controlled gambler, so if I started to go crazy then that would be a problem.

 

[nafanny29]

My significant other eclipses my gaming online by a mile!!! So I get zero grief with my poker/casino fun whatsoever

 

[chuchu59]

8-9. My wife doesnt mind my gambling habits as long as I can spend some time with her each week watching movies or dining out and not missing on her birthday, wedding anniversary etc. If I look jaded after a hard day's work, she will cheer me up by suggesting we spend our weekend at the tables in Macau or the cruise ships. Simply cant find a better one.

 

[KasinoKing]

I thought it might be fun to take a survey of, on a scale of 1 to 10, how much support of your gaming habits you get from your spouse, partner, significant other, you get the idea...

Great question!

I think my missus must rate about a 7. She knows I do it (she's have to be blind & deaf not to know!), and I would say she 'tolerates' it mainly because she knows I always win. She's a money worrier and would give me no end of grief if I was losing!
I find it a little frustrating that she has absolutely no interest whatsoever in gambling - she never watches what I'm doing and does not even get excited at a big win. Like when I hit that Jackpot on Moonshine a few weeks back and was jumping around saying "I just won $162 off a 50c bet!" She just goes "That's nice dear. Do you want a cup of tea?"
But I can't say anything bad about her - she tolerates me being online an awful lot and doesn't make that much fuss about it really.

My biggest enemy is TIME! There is just not enough of it. I estimate I am online an average of 3-4 hrs every weekday evening, and up to 6-7hrs/day at the weekend. (My wife works shifts which gives me the opportunity to do my 'work' for long spells at a time).
Of this I would say about 40-50% of my time is spent actually gambling, 10 - 15% reading & posting on the fora (mainly CM of course!) and the rest of the time working on or researching for my website.
The lack of time is very annoying for me - with more time I could make more money and read more. For example, I have several new sign-ups I've been thinking of for about 6-months now - but haven't had time to do them. And their are quite a few big threads here at CM which I would like to read - but simply can not spare the time for that! (Hope to get to JS's one about Macgyver before the end of the month.. )
Oh well - I must get on now... I've work to do before she wakes up!!

 

[Pinababy69]

When did they get casinos in Toronto? I lived in Canada in the seventies for a while but no casinos up there then.

You know what? I can't say exactly when Darem, maybe 10-15 years ago. In the Toronto area, we only have the casino that is at the racetrack, Woodbine. However, there are two top-notch ones in Niagara Falls, which is about a one hour drive from TO. And another in Orillia called CasinoRama, which is maybe 1-1 1/2 hours from TO. I've never been to any of them, can you believe that? LOL....

tennis_balls....ha ha ha, you are a funny guy, lol.

 

[-z-]

If 10 is "fighting over using the computer to see who is going to get to gamble first" (a comical concept as we each have a number of machines at our disposal,) I would have to pick 7.

Ultimately, having never had a losing month, we often joke what about what I should use each years winnings on, trying to find a single thing that you could buy for $x. I'm the only one with the patience and interest and she's not really interested in 'wacky statistical math' and 'bizarre card combinations'... (both of which I find fascinating.)

-z-

 

[kirby]

I'd say a 7 or so. She knows I enjoy the challenge. As long as I stay on my small ($100/month) budget and if I occasionally win, so much the better. Would she ever gamble online herself? Definitely not. Land-based casino, no with any enthusiasm.

 

[venetian]

I have no one to tell me what to do and I LIKE it that way! A wise woman once said, "it would take a REALLY good man to beat having no man at all". I love to gamble and it would take a gamblin' man to win me.

 

[PackerBacker]

way to go venetian

 

[Darem1]

Thanks for all the participation

Thanks to everyone who responded. The answers were candid and very interesting. Looks like this thread has run it's course. From what I can tell we run the gamut from not having to answer to anyone regarding our gambling, to full and even eager participation by the significant other. I can tell by the answers that the happiest gamblers are at one of these ends of the spectrum. Those of us that fall in between would like our "other" to be happy for us when we win and console us when we lose, but since we don't have that level of participation from them,we have our other friends and also this forum. Remember, when you are here you aren't losing!

 

[mattysgirl]

Support

I cant give a 1-10, all i can say is my husband supports when he sees the cash lol took some of my win from 32red $300 of it on friday to the river boat, 6 hours later left with 31 bens, god those looked nice in my purse.

Needlees to say yeah he supports when i am making bank lol
was a great feeling yesterday to pay off bills, buy my family a pool ($650 later)
Gave a few gifts. So far all i have done for myself is spend $150 at a sallon.
On another note it was so nice to hear my husband say "good job you did what you said you were going to do with your wins"

mattysgirl

 

[jenn1381]

I can't imagine having to explain my gambling to anyone! I'm currently single, but even when I wasn't, my significant other either didn't know I was gambling or was here gambling with me. I have a job, I make my own money, and as long as all my bills are paid I'll do what I wish with the rest. Now, if I had kids that would of course be different. But, with the exception of a horrible bingo addiction that I am finally getting over I've never really went over my limit. I could never be with someone who wasn't a gambler as well. At the same time, I could never be with an excessive gambler, either. I need to know that my house is safe and our kids are taken care of before any funds are gambled away. (house and kids imaginary for now, lol).

For the time being, I am enjoying only having myself to answer to. However, sometimes I can be far more harsh on me than others would have been.. lol

 

[paul02085]

My wife has no problem with my online poker playing since it gives us a nice chunk of fun money each month. If i was losing money it would be the opposite, believe me. Sometimes when she sees something she wants she says get in there and start playing!. I love it.

 

[Jasminebed]

Significant other & gambling

I know this is an old post, but an interesting one. Back in the mid eighties when I was pregnant, I started going to bingo, as my other pasttime drinking in bars was not really an option. My ex and I made close to the same money, and we both had our own money to do what what we liked. He bought comic books & collectibles, played D&D and I went to bars & gambled. The only time he EVER gave me money to gamble was about 7 weeks before our wedding, & I must have been "grumpy", because he gave me 30 dollars & told me to go to bingo & get out of the house. I told him that if I won we would go to Jamaica for our honeymoon. I won the $1000 jackpot--- did not quite take us to Jamaica, but we got a week in the Bahamas (Freeport). Played my first land-based casino with two rolls of quarters while he went comic shopping, and won $100, and we went back to the casino all dolled up in our wedding clothes (I wore dusty rose, our daughter was an infant), where he promptly lost his $50 at BJ, but I played for about 4 hours & did my best to drink as much as I lost.

My other significant other ('94 to '07 when he died) bought lotto tickets & the big hospital lotteries ($100 tickets, with some luck), and I went on bus trips to local casinos. Nothing about 5 or 8 hours on a bus interested him, but comp'ed rooms & concert tickets & meals would be good for a jaunt a couple of times a year. I am almost certain he lied to me about how much he was losing, because my player status for comps always went up after a visit with him. His money, and his choice, nothing to do with me. He was not hurting financially, and this was a couple of times a year for him. I think I probably actually spent less on gambling than Jim, but a larger percentage of my discretionary income.

 

[NZmumof4]

My husband does not support it at all ...however he doesn't mind it if I win and then he wants to spend the money...so I dont tell him anymore as what he does not know he cannot spend.

I am moving to TX this year so I hope online gaming is legal there and there are land based casinos, I will go by myself.

 

[oyw7862]

single

and my family does not like my heavy gambling. so score 0.

My parents often suggest me I should buy share if I really enjoy risky.

I feel lucky I did not do that. see ASX worse than a casino.

 

[steinhaug]

My parents often suggest me I should buy share if I really enjoy risky.

As a sidenote there, I would not recommend anyone bying shares theese days. Looking at the current situation with the dollar, the potential of a global depression if the dollar collapses and such. What would truly be the best thing to do theese days is purchase some gold - and by that I mean real gold - not shares in the gold industry which is only paper money anyways.

For the OP, I would think it's only natural to devide gamblers into two camps - recreational gamblers and gambling addicts (sorry for that nasty word). Any gambling addict will usually bet over their heads and loose money, loosing is no fun, and I would expect nobody would pet their partner on their shoulder while loosing lots of money - which - let's be honest:

1. vacation
2. new car
3. bigger house
4. renovate parts of the house /apartement
5. a nice dinner
and so on

I for one would not be happy if my girlfriend (however I'm single) gambled away huge amounts of money while I still want that 55 inch plasma television for my Xbox360 to play gears of War, LOL.

Then again, what is happiness?

Being I belong to the compulsive gamblers camp, I find the OP question erroneous. I would rather say:

Is it based in reality to even expect your significant other to support your gambling habits? Is it even fair to expect anyone to support such a destructive habbit?

Reality check, usually no fun at all, LOL!

 

[classymom]

I love to gamble - my husband not so much. When we lived in Las Vegas and I was pregnant and couldnt go to the casino - ( people's smoking would make me sick) so I started gambling online - when I won a lot of money from Showdown. My husband freaked out he said I must be an idiot to gamble online. He still thinks its silly but has no problem spending the money. He likes to play the Florida lottery and I think thats a little silly.

 

[dirtydealin]

I would say we're a definate 10, I play table games and she's a slot hound. We are notrious low-rollers, usually only having $50 or so per week for online play. We do take our weekly trips to Argosy(our local B&M) every Thursday. The funny thing is, when we do we won't see each other for hours. Unless, she goes bust. Then she's right there in the poker room, dipping into my stack.

The online stuff is really just for entertainment, we do enjoy it though.

DD

 

[babs7262]

No problems on my end. My husband has his vices and I have mine


BUT..If it became a problem I would expect him tell me to slow down just as I do when he over does some things

 

[Darem1]

Ressurecting old post

Thanks for ressurecting my old post. It is interesting to see where everyone stands. Since I can no longer gamble online (American), hubby and I go every few months to Biloxi (our closest B & M) and have a good time getting the free room, meal comps and free tickets to shows. Slowly but surely Biloxi is coming back, more casinos open now and the Beau Rivage is stil good. We also like the new Hard Rock casino. Can't wait for the new Margaritaville complex to open on the grounds of the old Grand and Casino Magic.
Anyway, I limit myself to just a certain amount for a couple of days, and with all the Freeplay I get it is fine. He doesn't have any problem with this, it is a "free" trip every so often. Sure can't make the money like I used to make (and lose) online, so I just low roll (slots) and make the money go far enough to get invited back. Wish it weren't so far from us, but that may be a good thing. LOL.

 

[RobWin]

No problems on my end. My husband has his vices and I have mine


BUT..If it became a problem I would expect him tell me to slow down just as I do when he over does some things

Everybody has their own skeletons in the closet, don't they babs...

 

[paul02085]

Everybody has their own skeletons in the closet, don't they babs...

No kidding. Playing online slots and poker are much better than my hobbies in my younger days

 

[peteyweestro]

Yep my family would much rather have me now with the gambling then what they had before my son was born, but as far as my wife goes i would say she is about an 8 of support scale

 

[kakata]

I honestly think that my wife secretly works for 3dice ,Rival(all of em), clubworld and so on.
Why?
Cause she is laughin to much lately....
Shortly the above mentioned casinos are goin to permanently lose an employee....

 

[Jasminebed]

When did they get casinos in Toronto? I lived in Canada in the seventies for a while but no casinos up there then.

As far as I know, there is no casino in Toronto. They do have a Slots & Trots at Woodbine Racetrack (no tables), run under OLG (Ontario Lottory and Gambling), and easy to get a shuttle to Niagara Falls which has two casinos, both goverment owned (operated by another party I think, you know, management contract stuff), and Casino Rama near Barrie which is Ontario's only Native owned casino, and my personal favorite. I have a post under North American Land Based Casinos about them... hope that is not shilling.

 

[yameater]

My Chihuahua thinks it's foolish and my Rottie mix thinks it's totally cool. My partner used to give me grief about the spending (even tho we don't pool our moolah), but they finally gave up and went with the Rottie's way of thinking and took up the Chihuahua's spending habits whenever I won! To answer the question though, I'd say a 2 or 3.

 

[recruit]

Thanks for ressurecting my old post. It is interesting to see where everyone stands. Since I can no longer gamble online (American), hubby and I go every few months to Biloxi (our closest B & M) and have a good time getting the free room, meal comps and free tickets to shows. Slowly but surely Biloxi is coming back, more casinos open now and the Beau Rivage is stil good. We also like the new Hard Rock casino. Can't wait for the new Margaritaville complex to open on the grounds of the old Grand and Casino Magic.
Anyway, I limit myself to just a certain amount for a couple of days, and with all the Freeplay I get it is fine. He doesn't have any problem with this, it is a "free" trip every so often. Sure can't make the money like I used to make (and lose) online, so I just low roll (slots) and make the money go far enough to get invited back. Wish it weren't so far from us, but that may be a good thing. LOL.

Just curious as to why you say you can no longer gamble online (American)? I'm American as well and still play regularly at many of my online favorites....

 

[Dewberry]

My husband doesn't support my gambling at all. I tend to have to sneak it in when he's out of the house

He does have a point though. I lose way more than I win and can easily play slots for hours at a time , especially when I have a glass of wine (or two).

 

[venetian]

Happily I am unincumbered and can do as I damn well please

 

[Zoozie]

My GF has no problems with my gambling, but it does help that I am an winning player of course. But she often bitch about spending too much time in front of the computer (4-5 hours every day) though most of the time is not gambling related.

She knows what will happen if the makes an ultimatum making me choose between her and the computer, so she gave up on that years ago...

 

[same_old]

No my misses hates me gambling fullstop.

As long as the bills are paid and i put a little money away each fortnight she doesnt mind me doing $100-$200 a fortnight.

In 8 years we havwe been together i have seen her gamble once at the casino in Melbourne, she was betting the baby button 20cents per spin on that slot 50 lions she got the free spins and ended up with $860, I thought this might get her into it a little but NOPE she still hates it.

I just tell her what iam doing and she has a little grumble about it then leaves it alone, If i was to do anymore or abuse my privilages then the shit would hit the fan, We are having our first child so the brakes have come on bigtime when it comes to gambling-I gots a little one to think of now so HE (I found out it was a boy last week, big set of nuts showing on the ultrasound) takes all my money.

I personally think you need to be VERY HONEST about these sort of things as they can get out of hand very quickly and I would rather wake up to the to the beautiful scent of my girlfriend than a debt.

 

[classymom]

No my misses hates me gambling fullstop.

As long as the bills are paid and i put a little money away each fortnight she doesnt mind me doing $100-$200 a fortnight.

In 8 years we havwe been together i have seen her gamble once at the casino in Melbourne, she was betting the baby button 20cents per spin on that slot 50 lions she got the free spins and ended up with $860, I thought this might get her into it a little but NOPE she still hates it.

I just tell her what iam doing and she has a little grumble about it then leaves it alone, If i was to do anymore or abuse my privilages then the shit would hit the fan, We are having our first child so the brakes have come on bigtime when it comes to gambling-I gots a little one to think of now so HE (I found out it was a boy last week, big set of nuts showing on the ultrasound) takes all my money.

I personally think you need to be VERY HONEST about these sort of things as they can get out of hand very quickly and I would rather wake up to the to the beautiful scent of my girlfriend than a debt.

Congrats on the baby

 

[bayleesprings]

Well I'm single. Damn, I think I just figured out why. Yeah, not so good

 

[Mousey]

I looked at my old post... UIGEA (or rather the casinos' reaction to it) has changed things for us.

We hardly play anymore. Once or twice a week (some weeks not at all), small deposits. No wins. Not fun, so we don't play much. It's too complicated (and costly) trying to get money from 'here' to 'there'. Wins (which kept me playing because I recycled -- using wins to deposit again later) have been all but nonexistent. Less disposable income now, so.... I guess you could say the thrill is gone.

 

[LaurieJim]

congrats on the baby boy...........hubby jim is fine with me playing as long as im winning........if i lose, i have to hear about it over and over, just like a man............................laurie

 

[BingoT]

congrats on the baby boy...........hubby jim is fine with me playing as long as im winning........if i lose, i have to hear about it over and over, just like a man............................laurie

So this means you never hear it from Jim
Your a Winner all the time
Love Ya

 

[kakata]

I honestly have to say that my wife is very helpfull.
She always ask me: honey how much have you lost today?
Than....: dont worry tomorrow will be worse.
That's why I love her so much.....

 

[PurpleZelda]

Congratulations same_old on the little man thats on his way!

My partner and I both play poker, although he has regular games with his friends which are usually men only, so I get left to play on line. However its a bit different for me as I work for an online poker room and casino, so he couldnt really complain too much!

 

[bayleesprings]

Mousey

Mousey,
Have you tried TIV? That is the only Rival account I have open at the moment, and the only one I care to play at. I have one MG open but I only play there when I am waiting on my QuickTender limit to refresh, because I can use a CC there. If you haven't tried TIV, it's where it's at

 

[BingoT]

I say what the H just try all Rival places.
You have nothing to lose they are all No Deposit and get free money in each of them.
A great group of people you will ever find.
Superior Casino
Thisisvegas Casino
Slots Of Fortune
SlotoCash Casino
Paradise8 Casino
Cocoa Casino
Simon Says Casino
Davincisgold Casino
Mayan Fortune Casino
Pantasia Casino

 

[mysticjoz]

I have to admit... I will come out of the shadows for my input on this.
First of all ..Great Topic Darem1

None apply to me though .. my EX significant had a 3X a week, couple hundred a nite "Doggie" problem. he moved from pubs that had payout machines and/or keno, to foxwoods, scratch & lottery tickets, more puppies then it was all of the above!! I was rarely invited because it was "his part time job".
I obviously needed something to "amuse" myself !
That is how I stumbled upon the world of "Online Casino's"
And in turn how I found CM!

(footnote: he walked out on us a year ago, he could not admit it was a problem and he became heavily indebted, which I did not know about until he left!).