'My gambling addiction hell'
Sara-Jayne Makwala King speaks to 'Peter', a member of Gamblers Anonymous about the recent case of Harold Henry, the South African bookkeeper who stole R14 million from his employer to fund his gambling habit.
Gambling addiction Photo: Responsiblegambling.co.za
A gambling addiction can become a crippling mental disorder that disrupts and destroys all aspects of one's life.
Recently, a Gqberha man was jailed for 18 years for stealing R14 million from his employer.
Harold Henry, stole from farm owners Suenay and Digby White until they did not have a cent left in their bank account.
In court, it was revealed Henry had a raging gambling addiction.
Stories like Henry’s are not uncommon - particularly in the rooms of support groups like Gamblers Anonymous, where men and women who want help recovering from the compulsion to gamble tell their stories and share their experiences.
Sara-Jayne spoke to 'Peter', who found himself in the clutches of a gambling addiction and is now in recovery.
"It was said to me so many times, you can see what it's doing to you, just stop. It makes total sense in hindsight. I feel a lot of empathy for this man although many people will feel he got what he deserved. But the power is immense."
- 'Peter', Gamblers Anonymous member
Peter's foray into gambling started at age 16 when he was introduced to horse racing by his friends.
He recalls his experience as one filled with excitement and camaraderie and describes it as "like I'd come home".
The thrill of winning and the ease access to money gave Peter a sense of power.
But things escalated at age 18 when he started stealing money to gamble and later "other extremes".
"I lied and manipulated people to get money. Then it was illegal acts like taking money from employers. I lost four jobs due to theft and fraud. I pawned cars, weddings riins, i used kids's education policy money. The highs and lows of this addiction is that you can go from a full bank account with a salary to asking your friends for a few rands the next day to buy bread and milk."
- 'Peter', Gamblers Anonymous member
Gambling addiction can have a massive psychological effect to the point where one can become suicidal.
Peter says he had a constant feeling of self-loathing and had thought about taking his own life.
Despite several 'rock-bottom moments' - this was still not enough for him to stop his destructive behaviour.
"It turned me into a person that I'm not proud of. It took me to low places. I've been in hell and I've managed to find my way out."
- 'Peter', Gamblers Anonymous member
Scroll up for the interview.