A
male
age
36-40,
anonymous
writes:Hi all, I'm somewhat of a professional gambler, and I was wondering why is it so socially unacceptable to be a gambler? To make things clear, I'm not a problem gambler, I've been doing it for a living for the better part of 10 years. I'm a poker player and poker dealer, and I also bet on sports. I was in a six year relationship that ended last year with a woman, and she was always telling me to get a "real" job. It ended up driving a wedge between us and it along with other factors caused us to part was. I Don't see what the problem is with it, I make an average of $4500 a month, all my bills are payed, I own multiple vehicles, and I've never missed any sort of payment. Honestly money has never been an issue for me. I have investments and a retirement that I'm building, and I pay my taxes. So what I'm asking is why was it such an issue that I make my living this way? She didn't like it, and most people that don't know me assume I'm a degenerate. I used to do hard labor for a living and I never want to do that ever again. I learned to gamble when I was in college and I payed for my degree with gambling money. Why do people automatically assume I'm a bumb?! By the way, I'm 30 years old and single with no children and no debt.
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Fancy yourself as an agony aunt? Add your answer to this question! A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (25 November 2014): Honestly, it sounds an awesome lifestyle to me. It's an exciting 'job' that you enjoy and that makes you money. It's also such a fun 'job' that people do the same as a 'treat' on special occasions!
It's an inspiration that you can work hard enough at this to enjoy a happy career with no 'boss' no annual review and no 9-5 commitments!
I can understand how some partners might be nervous at this as a career choice (it sounds too good to be true!!) But if you've shown them the books and they can see how profitable it is for your working hard at this, then frankly I think they're just being picky!
I should imagine that more people lose money at gambling than ever make any- that's how the industry profits! But if you've explained how strategic and skilled you are at this and they can't shake the prejudice than more fool them!
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (17 November 2014): I don't know anything about gambling but poker always sounded like fun to me, I tried to learn but it was not that easy. Next time when people make a judgement about your lifestyle tell them that they made a show and actually pretty serious championship out of a game of poker. With that said, gambling causes lots of problems for many people, it can be an addiction, and it can destroy lives. This is how people think of it. Also it is considered to be an activity of leisure. What you described is non of that. I don't really understand how did your girlfriend of 6 years knowing you for who you are, even with a job that she doesn't really understand can drop you based on that. If your business doesn't cause you any harm, and you enjoy it and making pretty good money than good for you. Although, it is true, if it's all cash how can you ever buy a house? Unless you ask someone to cosign.
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A
male
reader, Sageoldguy1465 +, writes (17 November 2014):
 I wouldn't spend a lot of time and/or mental energy worrying about how OTHER people feel about you and what you do to make your living.....
IF you are being successful.... then, have at it.... AND.... if/when you encounter people who are Hell-bent upon judging you for what you do... then, screw 'em. Your's is your life; theirs' is their's....
(continued) Good luck....
P.S. Also, please be sure to remind people about POLITICIANS... who are - when you think about it - nothing more than whores!!!!!
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A
female
reader, Honeypie + ♥, writes (17 November 2014):
 I think most people presume it's not a "reliable" income.
There is a chance that you lose. Lose a little or lose big. THAT chance is ALWAYS there.
Gambling doesn't give you and a family medical/dental coverage.
You can not buy a house ( let's say 20 year mortgage) with an income that comes solely from gambling. I'd like to see a bank that would say yes to THAT gamble.
The cars you own, my guess you payed for them in cash?
Do you have savings? if you make an average of $4500 a month - which is a good chunk of change, do you put away for rainy days?
I think "professional gambler" has a negative connotation because gambling (for MANY people) is seen as a vice or addiction.
There is uncertainty in a "normal" job. But I think unless people themselves gamble, they have no idea that some people actually make their living this way.
Does it make you a BUM to be a professional gambler? Not at all. People LOVE stereotypes. And unfortunately, gambler is a "negative one".
But if you are fine with it, and do OK, why CARE what others think?
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A
female
reader, So_Very_Confused +, writes (17 November 2014):
 We are gamers (of the Euro Board Game variety) and as such we have SEVERAL friends who live in Las Vegas and make their livings gambling.
I can see how folks who do not understand that there is a mathematical strategy to gambling for a living would misinterpret your choice of a self-employment as the lazy way out and think you are a bum.
I can say fully that as long as you are single and happy that how you support yourself is your choice but to be honest, I would not want my spouse/significant other/life partner to be making their living in such an unstable fashion. And even if you are VERY good at gaming it's still a gamble.
My husband is probably one of the best players of a particular game in the entire country. He's won the World Boardgaming Competition for this game more than anyone else ever has. And he's placed in winning spots every (top 6) for every entry he's had.
He is recognized as the expert on this game. I watched him have his butt handed to him in the game this weekend in a competition. Thankfully we do not use our gaming skills as a means of support so his loss means nothing more than an emotional beating and loss of bragging rights. I do not know if we depended on his gaming skills (which are extensive as he naturally can count cards) that I would feel secure with that as a lifestyle.
I do not know how the wife of one of our friends copes with it to be honest.
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