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Playing online mobile games has become an addiction, especially among youths. This has emerged as a serious concern across the globe. Every other day we come across different reports of causing self harm or harming others, including murders. However, recently a 22-year-old youth is in the headlines after disclosing that he lost Rs 96 lakh due to his addiction to online mobile gaming.
Himanshu Mishra, hailing from Bihar, during a recent podcast, narrated his story of losing over Rs 96 lakh due to his addiction to online mobile gaming. During the podcast with Shalini Kapoor Tiwari, Himanshu said that it is difficult to sum up the total debt amount as he doesn't have the numbers of many people he took money from.
How it all started?
It all started at his friend's house where he learnt about free mobile games. He even tried his fortune to win big and become a millionaire. His gaming journey started in 2017 while he was away from his family for studies.
As the first investment is Rs 49, people start playing the game. People develop the idea that online gaming is a shortcut to earning money. They believe that they can easily make money. As they start playing the game, their hope strengthens and people with good mental ability can win.
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Initially, he used to get back Rs 49 and only played among his friends. However, during the IPL though the betting was done with his friends, his debt amount increased. Following that he was brought back home. After his return, he requested his father for a mobile. But, after getting the mobile, he came across an app where direct betting could be done on teams. He informed me that the app also guides players to win for 4-5 days. After winning for 5 days, it becomes an addiction.
At first, he used his mother's card and lost Rs 28,000. He also admitted cheating his own parents by stating the loss as online fraud and not his act. Even his father forgave him. After Himanshu scored good marks in his exams, his father brought him a laptop so that he could focus more on his studies. However, Himanshu stole the money that was kept for his admission. He ran away with the money to pay off the debts that he lost in online gaming.
What did he lose?
While his parents lost all hope in Himanshu, his brother took the responsibility. He was enrolled at an engineering college but couldn't continue his studies.
"Gambling is all about, if you win, you will want to win more. If you lose, you will want to recover it," said Himanshu.
Furthermore, he revealed that he broke the trust of his family repeatedly. The most disturbing incident he talked about was walking away with Rs 1.5 lakh from his aunt while his father was admitted to hospital and was breathing his last. While his family permitted him for a last look at his father, he wasn't even able to attend his funeral.
Himanshu revealed that his mother had legally disowned him because he crossed the limits of everything.
Greed to make money easily
He narrated about how he convinced people to lend him money. People lured by greed also lent him money and won every hour. Out of greed, hundreds of people connected with him and with this the amount increased day by day.
He also talked about cheating a person, who kept the money for his sister's marriage. Himanshu had ditched people in several cities and with their money he gambled and developed different luxurious hobbies.
Are celebrities responsible?
Himanshu also talked about the celebrities endorsing mobile gaming apps. Be it movie stars or cricketers, they get paid to endorse the app and people who admire or follow them start playing the games.
Realisation...
After losing everything, he attempted to commit suicide. Later police took him to a psychiatrist. After a few sessions, he realised about his addiction and its consequences. Apart from self-realisation, he also decided to help others to understand the consequences. Himanshu has also decided to make every effort to end mobile gaming apps.
