Online gambling has become an increasingly prevalent activity in the digital age, offering quick thrills and the allure of potential wealth at the taps of a screen.
For many, it starts as an innocent pastime, fuelled by curiosity or the influence of friends, but it often evolves into a complex journey — one marked by highs, lows, and profound realisations.
To better understand the world of online gambling, Sarawak Tribune spoke to an avid online gambler who refused to be named, a man in his late 30s, who candidly shared his story.
This interview offers a raw, unfiltered look into the mindset of an online gambler navigating this high-stakes world, sharing his personal experiences, challenges and reflections on a pastime where the line between entertainment and addiction is often blurred.
Sarawak Tribune: How did you get involved with online gambling?
Answer: I was introduced to it by friends. Initially, I just enjoyed watching them play because it looked fun, and they seemed happy when they played it, so we spent a lot of time at coffee shops. Sometimes they even asked me to make “investments,” you know, to put up money together to play. And we hit it big one time. My initial “investment” of a mere RM30 turned to RM1,200, and I was hooked. So I installed the app on my phone, and I started to play on my own ever since.
What keeps you playing, even with the risk of losing?
To be honest, in the earlier days, I believe that I got hooked because of the payout. I had what they often say as “beginner’s luck.” I kept winning continuously for several weeks, although it is not much, but it’s enough to make me think that this is a way to make easy money. After a while of watching new players win, I realised that it is actually the algorithm that let players win in the beginning to entice new users. And online gambling sites often used attractive graphics and interesting gameplays that makes it addictive. Over time, I feel like the thrill of chasing the big wins is what keeps me playing more and more.
Do you see online gambling as a hobby, a source of income, or something else?
Everybody likes to win money, but to think of it as a source of income is quite ridiculous. I admit that during the early days, this was what I thought as well. But after two or three years, if I’ve ever learned something from gambling, the house always wins. You may get lucky and get a win once in a while, but once you’re addicted and start playing more and more, you’ll realise that you often lose more than you win. But still, you will keep playing. So, to put it simply, I see online gambling as an addiction, no different from drugs.
What strategies or approaches do you use to improve your chances of winning?
Gamblers are often superstitious. It’s like when you hit a big win, you’ll try to repeat what you’ve done to get a similar outcome. However, after quite a while, if it’s not working, you’ll realise that it depends on just pure luck. I have read somewhere that online gambling sites have a way to limit your wins, so I tried different sites, but in the end, if you can’t control your emotions, you’ll end up losing more and more.
Have you ever considered quitting, and if so, what motivated you toward that decision?
I am currently trying to quit, but speaking from experience, it’s never that easy. I have seen some of my friends go into debt because of online gambling, and some even sold their cars or bikes or even household items just to support their gambling habit. I know people who worked hard for a whole month, just to lose all their money in one day of gambling. I want to avoid that. Some people will feel like they are still in control and only gamble with money that they can afford to lose, but in truth, they are addicted and refuse to admit being so until they hit rock bottom and it’s too late.
