'I hope my children will not pick up the habit'

KUALA LUMPUR: Janice (not her real name), 35, tried her hand at gambling for the first time when she was in college.

She played poker with friends and family members once or twice a year during Chinese New Year or special occasions.

“I am not addicted to the games, but many are unable to control themselves. One of them is my husband. He plays mahjong during his spare time and bets on football during the World Cup.

“He learned to gamble from his family when young and there is no sign that he will stop any time soon,” she said.

Janice said that although gambling was a norm in many Chinese families, she and her husband hope that their children do not pick up the habit.

She said their children, aged four and six, had been exposed to mahjong and poker since they were born.

“The games are weekend activities for my family. The children are always very curious and love to touch the mahjong tiles and playing cards.

“I always tell them that it is not a good thing but I am not sure how far they will understand because they see it often at home.

“To keep them away from gambling, I plan outings with them during weekends,” she said.

Richard (not his real name), 26, said he got into football betting when he was 14 after being influenced by friends.

“It went on for about two years until I lost RM500, which was all my savings,” he said, adding that he stopped betting on football games after that.

“I was lucky to stop early. Many say they will not get addicted but from my own experience, one can get hooked easily.

“I might not have stopped if I had not lost,” he said.

Richard said many of his former schoolmates were still gambling.

“One of them won RM400,000 when he was 19 and kept all his cash at home.

“He lost everything on gambling and an additional RM200,000 a few years later,” said the businessman.

Richard said many gamblers did not know the risks and dangers of the vice.

“It will be too late when they are too deep in trouble,” he added.

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