Father is a Lotto addict

LegacyUser

Hi, just hoping for some advice on this problem. My parents are retired and on a pension income. The problem is that they fight and argue all the time because my dad spends so much money on Lotto tickets. He plays Monday Millions, Lotto & Lotto Plus, Euromillions, Millionaire Raffle, scratch cards, you name it. The long and the short of it is that he is spending between €200 and €250 a week on tickets, going to all the shops around the area to spread out his spending so none of them will think it is unusual. When there is a big draw with a high jackpot, he will spend even more. He is 100% convinced that it is only a matter of time before he wins a big jackpot, even though I have tried to argue with him that the odds are millions to one. He and my mother don't do many of the things they do because of his Lotto spending, then my sister tackles my dad over it. When he is confronted, he promises to stop, but instead does the Lotto in secret and hides the tickets in his car. I'm judging his expenditure by how many tickets I found in the glove compartment of his car last week. Technically, yes, this is none of my business, but has become an issue in the family and has caused many arguments. I would love to hear if anyone has had such a problem and how they have dealt with it.

Kirnsy

if its his money he can do what he likes with it.

but if it means that he's borrowing money from others then you have a legitimate reason to try to dissuade him from it.

OP do you think your da has a gambling problem?? or are you worried that he's just pissing his money away in your eyes?

LegacyUser

It certainly sounds like your father has a gambling partner. Unfortunately you can't force him to believe that what he is doing may be excessive or wrong until he is ready. I recomment you have a look at gamblersanonymous.ie and gamanon.ie. Until he is ready to change his behaviour you and your mother may wish to attend gamanon meetings for some support. Also the website gamblingtherapy.org is a great resource, with sections for friends and family, live advice helplines and chat rooms.

Hope this helps

Jimmy Bottlehead

Kirnsy wrote: »

if its his money he can do what he likes with it.

but if it means that he's borrowing money from others then you have a legitimate reason to try to dissuade him from it.

OP do you think your da has a gambling problem?? or are you worried that he's just pissing his money away in your eyes?

Sounds like both in fairness... thats a ridiculous amount to spend on the lottery. Nothing wrong with a weekly flutter on it, but its pure chance that wins it, not how many tickets you buy.

He should really take a step back and ask himself if he has a problem.

LegacyUser

Is he on any medications at all? I work in a pharmacy and was researching something completely different for a patient the other day and came across some interesting info. A group of medications which I won't go into but could often be used to treat older people can cause compulsive gambling!! I thought it was odd so it stuck in my head, strange side effect of a medicine tho....

Kirnsy

Kirnsy wrote: »

if its his money he can do what he likes with it.

but if it means that he's borrowing money from others then you have a legitimate reason to try to dissuade him from it.

OP do you think your da has a gambling problem?? or are you worried that he's just pissing his money away in your eyes?

eh no. it's an unhealthy addiction that's upsetting his family. he cant do what he likes with it.

Kirnsy

Deleted User wrote: »

eh no. it's an unhealthy addiction that's upsetting his family. he cant do what he likes with it.

i agree that its upstetting his family and that that is a problem however if his dad is earning the money, it is up to him whether he wants to spend it on lotto tickets or otherwise.

Orion

Lotto loser wrote: »

He and my mother

Does she have a problem with it?

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

Deleted User wrote: »

eh no. it's an unhealthy addiction that's upsetting his family. he cant do what he likes with it.

Lol. of course he can, it's his money, so therefore he can do as he likes with it...

Express your concern to your father. Not too much you can do to be honest.

Adam

hope he win! ^_^

Lollipops23

Kirnsy wrote: »

i agree that its upstetting his family and that that is a problem however if his dad is earning the money, it is up to him whether he wants to spend it on lotto tickets or otherwise.

Lotto loser wrote: »

Hi, just hoping for some advice on this problem. My parents are retired and on a pension income.

he's not earning it,the state pension is small enough that this is a huge deal. OP the secretive behaviour is what sets alarm bells off in my head. sounds like a full blown addict to me. try and get in touch with gambler's anon?

Wagon

Kirnsy wrote: »

i agree that its upstetting his family and that that is a problem however if his dad is earning the money, it is up to him whether he wants to spend it on lotto tickets or otherwise.

The parents are both retired. Pensions doesn't last forever. The only way you can excuse that amount of spending is if he's already rich, and then ask why the **** would he even need to play the lotto in that case? From the OP's estimates, it looks like your man is spending at the worst, €12,000 a year which is far too bloody much for a hobby or a chance at luck.