Hindmarsh reveals gambling problem

[Kiwi Eagle]

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/nathan-hindmarsh-reveals-200000-poker-machine-addiction-in-soon-to-be-released-autobiography-old-school/story-e6frexnr-1226430244489

PARRAMATTA captain Nathan Hindmarsh has made the stunning admission he blew more than $200,000 because of a poker machine addiction.

The Eels warhorse details the depths of a serious gambling problem in his soon-to-be-released autobiography Old School with exclusive extracts published in tomorrow's edition of The Daily Telegraph (and on League Central).

“I would have maxed out my credit card at least two hundred times, with a limit of $1,000 a day,” the 32-year-old writes.

"All up, I blew a couple of hundred thousand dollars. That’s right: I had thrown away $200,000 by the time I was in my early twenties.

“It was such a waster. I think about all the things I could have done with that money: I could have owned the house I’m sitting in now, or I could have put a lot more towards a house or an investment property. It was a hard lesson learned. I would have liked not to have done it but I couldn’t stop myself.”

Hindmarsh, who will retire at the end of this season, reveals he would blow up to $2000 a day at the height of his addiction, which he battled over a six-year period during his early 20s.

He said he dabbles in the poker machines now and then - but has advice for players and fans alike if they feel gambling is taking a grip on them.

“Without getting too Oprah, there are a lot of blokes who can do it socially and walk away but if you feel you can’t control it, you are better off talking to someone,” he said. “That’s the point of this being in the book: getting help. I was lucky that I saw someone early enough to really help me out.

“Plenty of players gamble, they do it and walk away. I keep an eye on some people, just to make sure that everything is going okay. I’m aware of how I used to be when I was younger, going out to pubs and clubs.”

More in tomorrow's The Daily Telegraph and on League Central.

 

[The Wheel]

No wonder Parra Leagues made sure he never left the Eels

 

[Napper]

Poor bugger. Its a horrible addiction.

 

[weev]

A real pokie loop.

 

[Garts]

My brother in law has a massive issue with them. No idea why, whilst I will happily slip a $10 in if I am waiting for someone at the pub they are boring as bat ****. At least with horses etc they are not rigged like pokies are, the owner of the pokies wins most of the time.

 

[PONTIAN SEA EAGLE]

The pokie reforms should have gotten rid of these evil machines alltogether.

 

[Chip and Chase]

You'd be amazed at the pyschology that goes into the design of the machines and the venues, they are made to maximise the addictive effect. I can't remember the exact figure, but they are built to only pay out something like 90% of what they turnover, so it's a given that the longer you play them the less chance you will come out ahead.

Insidious industry that has forever changed the landscape of the hotel industry in this country. It's embarrassing for us as a nation that these machines exist in such large numbers in Australia.

 

[KOMORI]

When I worked in a Rissole the pokies were set up on about a 97% return... That was in the early/mid '90s..... so it could well have changed. The net result is the same however: the house wins in the long run.... end of.

 

[bob dylan]

When I worked in a Rissole the pokies were set up on about a 97% return... That was in the early/mid '90s..... so it could well have changed. The net result is the same however: the house wins in the long run.... end of.

That's the law, 90 odd%.

 

[WAMF]

You'd be amazed at the pyschology that goes into the design of the machines and the venues, they are made to maximise the addictive effect. I can't remember the exact figure, but they are built to only pay out something like 90% of what they turnover, so it's a given that the longer you play them the less chance you will come out ahead.

Insidious industry that has forever changed the landscape of the hotel industry in this country. It's embarrassing for us as a nation that these machines exist in such large numbers in Australia.

Outside of Burswood casino, you won't find a single poker machine in Perth.

 

[effnic]

What ever sells the book

 

[Jatz Crackers]

That's the law, 90 odd%.

Yes. Its regulated. The manufacturers like Aristocrat are obliged to have a specially built confined area inside the manufacturing facility where the chips (with preset returns) are installed.

The area is monitored, heavily secured physically & electronically with pre qualified staff to prevent unauthosised tampering.

 

[Baz]

its a horrible addiction, absolutely heartbreaking watching anyone ruin themselves through these vile machines. Not personally a massive fan of hindy but have massive respect for him for talking about this and raising awareness

 

[Top End Eagle]

Yeah they have changed the hotel industry in this country. For the better.

They have paid for better security, facilities and overall amiability in s lit of places that ere dives.

Yes some people have a problem with them like some have with the tab and the drink. But I garuantee a lot of the people you think you see wasting their money on Those machines have it to spend or allocate what they have of their disposable income towards them. I pay off a boat and an lucky if a tackle shop somewhere in the country doesn't take give hundred off me a month buy that us my hobby. Some people like the porkies. They make their own choices we are all equally affected by marketing pdychology.

Too much to edit. No good at one handed IPhone. Watching footy show.

 

[byso]

So the club allows there favourite player to develop a gambling addiction. What a disgraceful club.

He is a pelican as well.

 

[KOMORI]

And I thought his crack problem was a worry...

 

[Top End Eagle]

So the club allows there favourite player to develop a gambling addiction. What a disgraceful club.

He is a pelican as well.

It's called personal responsibility. How would the club know what this bloke did in his spare time? It's okay to not like parra but you can't blame the club for hindmarshs actions.

---

The people who play these machines aren't wanting overseas holidays. They want to win because they can imagine having that extra money to play them again and again. Those of us who don't play them all pay less tax because of those who do. It's called freedom. You can choose what you do despite how pretty those lights are and those bells and whistles sound, despite how relaxed that cigarette makes you feel or how that glass of wine winds you down. Sounding like tony abbot here but I think that just comes with age. What did Shaw say again?

 

[globaleagle]

It's probably how the bulldogs (and parra) stay under the cap. Their players 'reinvest' into the leagues club involutarily.

 

[manlyfan76]

Parra have a gambling problem, they are gambling on a massive salary cap next year and getting there seventh coach in about six years,

 

[Nthn NSW]

He's lucky he could afford a 200k loss.The millions of others that put their welfare cheques through them can't.

Hope you feel good about where your pay comes from Ha$$ler!!