What’s the average person thinks of a gambler
Slick
A con
Broke
Thievery
No girlfriend
Hustler
Moody
Fast talker
Anti social
“ that guy a gambler” neighbor #1
Like most stereotypes - we have a rotten few to blame for this stigma when the majority are nothing like this. I could name a few posters who absolutely meet those criteria - but I can also think of many who none of these apply to.
Many years ago when I was a kid hanging out in the baseball card shop and got my introduction to gambling (the whole operation was a front for a gambling operation) - met some of the most benevolent and generous men who did quite a bit for me and others. It was a nicely kept secret - shop acted as a front for gambling operation - and local police looked the other way as owners were also actively supporting things like scout groups and local sports leagues via their shop and other businesses.
Gave me a job and taught me more about both gambling and business as well as dealing with people than any college could have came close to doing - all by the time I was 18.
Getting a 4 year head start on everyone else proved a valuable advantage - when I was 23 and others from my high school were getting ready to graduate college with a ton of debt - I was living in my relatively modest paid off house, driving a paid off car and enjoying the spoils. Granted I managed to piss it all say over the next decade - but that’s gambling for you. I recovered and am doing alright now.