Hawaii Already Has Problem Gamblers, But It Has Few Resources To Help Them … Fears of increased addiction and crime are frequently cited as reasons not to legalize gambling in the Aloha State.
David was like most people with a gambling addiction: he didn’t think he had a problem at all.
He can count cards, making him adept at games like blackjack, but he also was drawn to any games involving dice. That’s where he says he lost control.
David, who is now retired and recovering from gambling addiction, estimates he lost $2.5 million in 15 years of gambling. Now, he facilitates twice-weekly meetings for Gamblers Anonymous in Hawaii. He’s been in the program for 35 years. Civil Beat is only using David’s first name in keeping with GA guidelines for its members.
David sought help after he started borrowing money from friends and family. He twice borrowed $100,000 from his mother-in-law. That second time around, she made the loan out to David’s wife instead of him.
