Malta Grandparents’ €21K Gambling Loss

Imagine the shock on the faces of a retired couple from Birkirkara, Malta, as they watched their life savings dwindle away, not due to any financial crisis or unexpected medical bill, but because of their grandson’s gambling addiction. The courtroom was filled with a heavy silence yesterday as the grandparents testified, their voices barely above a whisper, recounting how they had forked out over €21,000 to bail their grandson out of his gambling debts.

It started innocently enough, with the grandparents giving their 19-year-old grandson pocket money to help him out. But what began as small amounts soon spiraled into a vortex of gambling debts, with the teenager becoming increasingly desperate for cash. The court heard how the grandson, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been gambling online, drawn in by the bright lights and promises of easy money.

Malta, with its strong gaming industry, is no stranger to the darker side of gambling. According to the Responsible Gaming Foundation, Malta has one of the highest rates of gambling addiction in Europe. The grandparents, in their 70s, found themselves caught in the crossfire, their love for their grandson blinding them to the severity of the situation.

In the courtroom at the Law Courts in Valletta, the grandparents recounted how they had been repeatedly asked for money, each time promising themselves it would be the last. They spoke of the lies and the empty promises, of the shame they felt at being taken advantage of, and the fear they had for their grandson’s future.

“We just wanted to help,” the grandmother testified, her voice breaking. “We never thought it would go this far. We didn’t know how to stop it.” The court heard how the couple had remortgaged their house and sold their car to pay off their grandson’s debts, leaving them with barely enough to live on.

Gambling addiction is a hidden epidemic in Malta, with many families suffering in silence. The Responsible Gaming Foundation estimates that around 1.5% of the population is affected by problem gambling, with many more at risk. The foundation offers support and counseling services, but the stigma surrounding gambling addiction means that many people are reluctant to seek help.

Dr. Maria Galea, a psychologist specializing in addiction, told Hot Malta, “Gambling addiction is a serious mental health issue. It’s not just about losing money, it’s about losing relationships, losing self-respect, losing everything that makes life worth living.”

The grandparents’ story is a stark reminder of the destructive power of gambling addiction. But it’s also a story of hope. The grandson is now receiving treatment and has been ordered by the court to seek counseling. The grandparents, meanwhile, are picking up the pieces, determined to rebuild their lives and help their grandson overcome his addiction.

“We’ve lost so much,” the grandfather said, his voice steady now. “But we haven’t lost our grandson. And as long as we have him, we have hope.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling addiction, help is available. Contact the Responsible Gaming Foundation on 1777 or visit their website at rgf.org.mt.