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Topic: Have casino ops come up with an association to address gambling-related suicide? (Read 764 times)

donator
Activity: 1218
Merit: 1015
Partial bump, partial spam. Anyone affected by extraordinary gambling losses or who want to earn some money to gamble with (I tend to target this subforum to scout for people), the LTB transcription project is currently open and paying .075BTC per transcript for new transcribers, ~4-6h of work. Need to submit a 5 audio-minute transcript, I'll give some tips and requests, and then you can transcribe a full episode. We're paying less for new transcribers because the end-goal is to move to a tip model with only a paltry up-front payment, to encourage users to pay for transcripts as they value them ("value paid for value received," in line with LTB ideology). The project will end its current life fairly soon (and close off application again), but be reborn as something else after.

There's no hiring process, no previous experience needed, no geographical restrictions, very little oversight, and you can work as much or little as you want. If you can type quickly and accurately, are fluent in English (either UK or US), and have some free time to spend working, do please request to do a "first-5" transcript. https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/closed-ltb-transcription-project-562541
hero member
Activity: 700
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I don't think there's any gambling related suicide entities.  Of course casino ops have no reason to try to do this, that would draw negative attention.  I know that people commit suicides all the time at casinos but somehow (money, bribes?) they cover it up and it never becomes big news.

I'd suggest anyone with suicidal thoughts call 911, go to a hospital or mental hospital, or call your gamblers anonymous hotline.
sr. member
Activity: 434
Merit: 250
i know some people who need help. but more attentin you give it. more scammers will try to pull on your heart strings



you guys know how gamblers are right after losing paycheck
It doesn't have to be sending the person BTC to cover their loss (or to cover some kind of basic necessities after a bout of bad luck), though I get your argument. If you standardize it and just have basic criteria to take money out of some coin jar, you'll have people gaming it.

You have to get them through a day, though, it seems. 10% of those who threaten suicide eventually kill themselves, but IIRC, if you can get them past the first day of threatening, that %chance drops to somewhere much closer to 1% (can't find studies - maybe pysch undergrad can help out). That's obviously still a concerning chance, and surely there are things to be done to help after that one day.

I've noticed there's a bit more openness in discussions on this by those dealt a bad hand. Idunno if that's geographical or just through the pseudonymity crypto permits, but I'd guess some type of Gambling Addict type thing would be particularly effective where there are no names tied to the admission of a problem. I'm out of my element, though -- thanks for all the insight in the thread so far.

10% seems high, but I'm no expert in this area, guess it would depend on how the threat was made.

Agree with omahapoker about the financial potential of the threats through this medium specifically, but I sort of see it like allowing 100 truly guilty people free to save 1 wrongful conviction.  There shouldn't be financial incentives through the proposed collaborative, simply attention and the required steps to take.  From there, suicide hotlines would likely need to be recommended, as at the very least, there may be potential suits of negligence, no expert there either.  It's a slippery slope nonetheless.

If bitcoin casino ops led this initiative, at the very least they could share experiences, then perhaps there would be shed more clarity on those 100% seeking financial returns and those falling closer to 100% serious about the threat and seeking help.  
donator
Activity: 1218
Merit: 1015
i know some people who need help. but more attentin you give it. more scammers will try to pull on your heart strings



you guys know how gamblers are right after losing paycheck
It doesn't have to be sending the person BTC to cover their loss (or to cover some kind of basic necessities after a bout of bad luck), though I get your argument. If you standardize it and just have basic criteria to take money out of some coin jar, you'll have people gaming it.

You have to get them through a day, though, it seems. 10% of those who threaten suicide eventually kill themselves, but IIRC, if you can get them past the first day of threatening, that %chance drops to somewhere much closer to 1% (can't find studies - maybe pysch undergrad can help out). That's obviously still a concerning chance, and surely there are things to be done to help after that one day.

I've noticed there's a bit more openness in discussions on this by those dealt a bad hand. Idunno if that's geographical or just through the pseudonymity crypto permits, but I'd guess some type of Gambling Addict type thing would be particularly effective where there are no names tied to the admission of a problem. I'm out of my element, though -- thanks for all the insight in the thread so far.
sr. member
Activity: 462
Merit: 250
I feel the majority are not truthful suicide threats, but I have a hard time also understanding the whole announcing suicide to a bitcoin forum before you do it.

I also think cryptocurrency gambling is quite a bit different from people addicted to their local casino's. I feel like it'd be easier to gamble away your life's savings using a traditional brick and mortar establishment then going through the process of getting bitcoin and then gambling with it. I do have a harder time empathizing with online gambling addicts versus people addicted to local gambling establishments or taking trips to Vegas, Atlantic City and other cities around the world for gambling. If you have any information regarding gambling addiction and online outfits, I'd love to read that though.

I don't think any bitcoin online gambling establishment should hold any responsibility for fighting gambling addiction. Isn't also the majority of bitcoin in play through bitcoin gambling people who have had bitcoin for a while and/or mined it? I for one havent purchased bitcoin in a couple years, so I imagine a lot of us gambling bitcoin are gambling bitcoin valued at a fraction of today's value.

Well at the very least the current state of affairs is only temporary.  Thinking about establishing an organization now is ensuring progress in the future.

There is much literature on online vs b&m.  Online (and perhaps b&m) now have an added branch to the tree of influence.
The two times I tried killing myself - took my car and drove into the center median on interstate going 80+. First time, chugged a fifth of vodka in 15 minutes. Expensive. Only reason I haven't tried a 3rd time is because I'm a waste of my parent's money to bury or hospitalize again.

Its good that you dint do anything moments ago and man, if you really take a break of gambling it wil be easy, and if you cant hold bitcoins without gambling then dont buy them.. the day after tomorrow you will find this as a quite lesson and you will have surpassed any temptation of gambling.
hero member
Activity: 868
Merit: 1000
i know some people who need help. but more attentin you give it. more scammers will try to pull on your heart strings



you guys know how gamblers are right after losing paycheck
hero member
Activity: 560
Merit: 502
I feel the majority are not truthful suicide threats, but I have a hard time also understanding the whole announcing suicide to a bitcoin forum before you do it.

I also think cryptocurrency gambling is quite a bit different from people addicted to their local casino's. I feel like it'd be easier to gamble away your life's savings using a traditional brick and mortar establishment then going through the process of getting bitcoin and then gambling with it. I do have a harder time empathizing with online gambling addicts versus people addicted to local gambling establishments or taking trips to Vegas, Atlantic City and other cities around the world for gambling. If you have any information regarding gambling addiction and online outfits, I'd love to read that though.

I don't think any bitcoin online gambling establishment should hold any responsibility for fighting gambling addiction. Isn't also the majority of bitcoin in play through bitcoin gambling people who have had bitcoin for a while and/or mined it? I for one havent purchased bitcoin in a couple years, so I imagine a lot of us gambling bitcoin are gambling bitcoin valued at a fraction of today's value.

Well at the very least the current state of affairs is only temporary.  Thinking about establishing an organization now is ensuring progress in the future.

There is much literature on online vs b&m.  Online (and perhaps b&m) now have an added branch to the tree of influence.
The two times I tried killing myself - took my car and drove into the center median on interstate going 80+. First time, chugged a fifth of vodka in 15 minutes. Expensive. Only reason I haven't tried a 3rd time is because I'm a waste of my parent's money to bury or hospitalize again.
sr. member
Activity: 434
Merit: 250
I feel the majority are not truthful suicide threats, but I have a hard time also understanding the whole announcing suicide to a bitcoin forum before you do it.

I also think cryptocurrency gambling is quite a bit different from people addicted to their local casino's. I feel like it'd be easier to gamble away your life's savings using a traditional brick and mortar establishment then going through the process of getting bitcoin and then gambling with it. I do have a harder time empathizing with online gambling addicts versus people addicted to local gambling establishments or taking trips to Vegas, Atlantic City and other cities around the world for gambling. If you have any information regarding gambling addiction and online outfits, I'd love to read that though.

I don't think any bitcoin online gambling establishment should hold any responsibility for fighting gambling addiction. Isn't also the majority of bitcoin in play through bitcoin gambling people who have had bitcoin for a while and/or mined it? I for one havent purchased bitcoin in a couple years, so I imagine a lot of us gambling bitcoin are gambling bitcoin valued at a fraction of today's value.

Well at the very least the current state of affairs is only temporary.  Thinking about establishing an organization now is ensuring progress in the future.

There is much literature on online vs b&m.  Online (and perhaps b&m) now have an added branch to the tree of influence.
full member
Activity: 182
Merit: 100
I feel the majority are not truthful suicide threats, but I have a hard time also understanding the whole announcing suicide to a bitcoin forum before you do it.

I also think cryptocurrency gambling is quite a bit different from people addicted to their local casino's. I feel like it'd be easier to gamble away your life's savings using a traditional brick and mortar establishment then going through the process of getting bitcoin and then gambling with it. I do have a harder time empathizing with online gambling addicts versus people addicted to local gambling establishments or taking trips to Vegas, Atlantic City and other cities around the world for gambling. If you have any information regarding gambling addiction and online outfits, I'd love to read that though.

I don't think any bitcoin online gambling establishment should hold any responsibility for fighting gambling addiction. Isn't also the majority of bitcoin in play through bitcoin gambling people who have had bitcoin for a while and/or mined it? I for one havent purchased bitcoin in a couple years, so I imagine a lot of us gambling bitcoin are gambling bitcoin valued at a fraction of today's value.
sr. member
Activity: 434
Merit: 250
Should add that this organization at the very least would be monitoring relevant forums such as bct to intervene quickly rather then have the subject first experience the many uneducated responses which however well-meaning (some are surprisingly aggressive :S) could do more harm.
donator
Activity: 1218
Merit: 1015
(Oh -- before someone jumps down my throat for OP title [I ran into the character limit], I don't know of any actual suicides related to cryptocurrency gambling and didn't mean to imply that)
sr. member
Activity: 434
Merit: 250
Not sure if they are really thinking it or seeking attention but at least in the US we have

http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/

There are a few similar services.

A major issue with bodies focused on traditional gambling is the the added embarrassment / confusion / isolation experienced by the subject due to the novelty of cryptocurrencies.  This alone can act as the wall preventing seeking help (whether merely for attention or serious is a rather ambiguous mental exercise).

A cryptocurrency specific service is very much needed.

I would be happy to be sit on the board as well.  Have an undergraduate in psychology, including gambling-related projects and thesis, but never participated in an organization specific to these ends.
sr. member
Activity: 372
Merit: 250
Real Bets. Real People. By Anyone, on anything
I agree with this, and would participate.

We have a team of 6, myself (Adam) am interested in sitting on a board, or creating a resource/public live chat or something for people to come to, a clean interface with nothing reminding them of gambling, sports, or bitcoins.

Could be a start?
legendary
Activity: 1162
Merit: 1001
Not sure if they are really thinking it or seeking attention but at least in the US we have

http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/
sr. member
Activity: 434
Merit: 250
That's a great idea, something specifically targeting bitcoin gamblers is necessary as traditional services won't be educated on the added layers of threat potential specific to cryptocurrencies.

I would help with an initiative led by someone with experience in the field.
donator
Activity: 1218
Merit: 1015
The suicide note threads seem to be increasing in frequency around here. I've seen individual casino ops do amazing things, but this isn't always the case. Has there been any effort toward forming an association to deal with these kinds of problems once known, on a case-by-case basis, and addressing ways to actually prevent it?
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