Were he addicted to gambling it wouldn't surprise me if he was to lie about his motivation,
level of addiction or culpability.

comment by Jose Mauricio (U6489)
posted 2 minutes ago
Were he addicted to gambling it wouldn't surprise me if he was to lie about his motivation,
level of addiction or culpability.
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Potentially - but that wasn’t my first thought when listening to him.

- He said he’d always pay his bills before then gambling, again not the thought process of an addict;
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This is wrong, i know a massive gambling addict but he never gets in debt and pays his bills.

Not all addicts steal to feed their addiction either btw, i've a feeling you probably think they do.

I agree.

I used to work with a guy and we worked a half day on a Friday. So received our cash wages at lunchtime. He went straight to the bookies and often was then ringing the boss that evening for his next week's wages early. The guy had a wife, kids and a house to run. That man was addicted to gambling and no longer has his wife. Lol don't think he complains too much about the last though!

This is wrong, i know a massive gambling addict but he never gets in debt and pays his bills.

Not all addicts steal to feed their addiction either btw, i've a feeling you probably think they do.
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Sounds like he's in control of his gambling. Which would raise the question of whether or not he is ain addict.

comment by InBefore (U20589)
posted 2 minutes ago
- He said he’d always pay his bills before then gambling, again not the thought process of an addict;
_____
This is wrong, i know a massive gambling addict but he never gets in debt and pays his bills.

Not all addicts steal to feed their addiction either btw, i've a feeling you probably think they do.
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I don’t think that at all and don’t go putting words in my mouth, but I appreciate I don’t have first hand experience of this and if you do I’m happy to listen.

Not all addicts behave in identical ways.

comment by InBefore (U20589)
posted 4 minutes ago
- He said he’d always pay his bills before then gambling, again not the thought process of an addict;
_____
This is wrong, i know a massive gambling addict but he never gets in debt and pays his bills.

Not all addicts steal to feed their addiction either btw, i've a feeling you probably think they do.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

This.

Compulsion to gamble doesn't mean they don't pay their bills.

comment by vidicthelegend VIVA LA REVOLUTION (U8735)
posted 8 seconds ago
comment by InBefore (U20589)
posted 2 minutes ago
- He said he’d always pay his bills before then gambling, again not the thought process of an addict;
_____
This is wrong, i know a massive gambling addict but he never gets in debt and pays his bills.

Not all addicts steal to feed their addiction either btw, i've a feeling you probably think they do.
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I don’t think that at all and don’t go putting words in my mouth, but I appreciate I don’t have first hand experience of this and if you do I’m happy to listen.
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I'm just making sure. On this point though you dont have to be in debt to be an addict. Theres plenty who are addicted but dont get into debt, lose their house, jobs, family through stealing and debt or w.e.

Your other points are fair though but as others have said already i wouldnt put it past an addict to lie either.

comment by InBefore (U20589)
posted 18 seconds ago
comment by vidicthelegend VIVA LA REVOLUTION (U8735)
posted 8 seconds ago
comment by InBefore (U20589)
posted 2 minutes ago
- He said he’d always pay his bills before then gambling, again not the thought process of an addict;
_____
This is wrong, i know a massive gambling addict but he never gets in debt and pays his bills.

Not all addicts steal to feed their addiction either btw, i've a feeling you probably think they do.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I don’t think that at all and don’t go putting words in my mouth, but I appreciate I don’t have first hand experience of this and if you do I’m happy to listen.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm just making sure. On this point though you dont have to be in debt to be an addict. Theres plenty who are addicted but dont get into debt, lose their house, jobs, family through stealing and debt or w.e.

Your other points are fair though but as others have said already i wouldnt put it past an addict to lie either.
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Fair points - appreciate you bringing them up

comment by Patriarch (U11015)
posted 3 minutes ago
This is wrong, i know a massive gambling addict but he never gets in debt and pays his bills.

Not all addicts steal to feed their addiction either btw, i've a feeling you probably think they do.
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Sounds like he's in control of his gambling. Which would raise the question of whether or not he is ain addict.
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Well depends what you consider in control. I know hes taken out atleast 2 loans to gamble with though hes paid them back. I know hes been 40 grand up and put it all back in. i know hes gam banned himself for years which just ran out, yet he used non licensed casino sites still during that period even though he knows its likely they can refuse to pay out etc if you win big.

And hes had payouts refused on such sites*

You also have to consider that average Joe addicted to gambling often would have to choose between gambling & bills, etc. It's much easier to pay your bills before gambling when you're earning good money, which he would have been even 3 or 4 years ago.

No one to blame but himself

I'd have hoped he used the podcast to help others though not make excuses. Especially other footballers, with kids getting so much money so early now too, it can ruin lives.

I always had it in my head that an addict was someone who had little to no control over their actions and realised that their actions could potentially hurt or harm themself and others.

However, I know that's not the actual definition and I guess it's quite subjective.

Re Ivan Toney I thought he was an addict as he gambled in spite of putting his football career at risk. But maybe he's just a cheat?

Don't agree with your reasoning here, an addict doesn't need to fit some narrow set of definitions.

There'll be an almost endless set of differences and similarities. In a basic example you can have functioning alcoholics, people that turn up for work every day, can maintain relationships etc but can not live without large amounts of booze. Vs others whose lives revolve around nothing but drinking, usually they end up homeless and would turn down a free meal if someone offered it to them, instead wanting cash so they can buy more booze.

Toney would fall under being a functioning gambling addict but still an addict.

*Whether Toney is talking rubbish to get a lighter ban I don't know.