http://www.ottawasun.com/News/OttawaAndRegion/2007/03/17/pf-3768766.html
Clotilde Berube is sick, but not with an illness that stops her from going out. The 58-year-old woman is a compulsive gambler and that compulsion led her to burn through more than $1 million at the Casino du Lac-Leamy.
"In the beginning, it was a game, but I eventually lost control. I never thought I would become a slave to it," Berube told Sun Media in French.
The compulsive gambler decided to speak about her experience in casinos after the release of a tell-all book by a former croupier named Eleonore Mainguy.
HUSBAND DIED
It was the death of Berube's husband in 1996 that sent the lawyer's life off course.
Overcome with grief, she sought refuge in diversions, including going to the Casino du Lac-Leamy daily.
"I would go to the casino crying. Once there, I'd become a different person. I'd forget everything," she said.
She said she'd leave for the casino at around 11 a.m. and spend the afternoon there before picking up her daughter around 5 p.m. She'd eat dinner and return to the casino at around 8 p.m.
Berube said she followed that routine every day for five years.
"I didn't think you could become sick from gambling, but the casino was a crutch," she said.
At the time, Berube had the money to make big bets. The professional success she and her husband had enjoyed allowed them to live in an upscale Ottawa neighbourhood and to buy eight other properties in the capital region.
"There comes a moment when you stop looking at money the same way," Berube said.
She said she took home some big winnings, but the money didn't matter to her.
"All I wanted was to keep playing," she said.
Berube said she would always bring $20,000 to $25,000 cash in her bag and once made a $10,000 bet playing baccarat.
Pathological gambling is worse than alcoholism, she said. When you drink you crash after drinking 40 ounces, but gambling is more deceitful. Nothing can stop you and your body keeps going like a machine, she said.
BIG STAKES ROOM
Her gambling habits also evolved over time. She went from card games to the slot machines. And because she was a good customer, she had access to the big stakes rooms and received special treatment.
"I was a VIP client," said Berube, who added that all her meals were paid for and she was given several weekend ski trips to Mont Tremblant as gifts. She said Loto-Quebec also paid to celebrate her kids' birthday on a boat with all their friends.
Berube has been through therapy three or four times.
"It's like a drug. What I've found as a compromise is I go to the U.S. once every two months and spend $500 and play poker. I hate myself for doing it, but I need to."
Clotilde Berube is sick, but not with an illness that stops her from going out. The 58-year-old woman is a compulsive gambler and that compulsion led her to burn through more than $1 million at the Casino du Lac-Leamy.
"In the beginning, it was a game, but I eventually lost control. I never thought I would become a slave to it," Berube told Sun Media in French.
The compulsive gambler decided to speak about her experience in casinos after the release of a tell-all book by a former croupier named Eleonore Mainguy.
HUSBAND DIED
It was the death of Berube's husband in 1996 that sent the lawyer's life off course.
Overcome with grief, she sought refuge in diversions, including going to the Casino du Lac-Leamy daily.
"I would go to the casino crying. Once there, I'd become a different person. I'd forget everything," she said.
She said she'd leave for the casino at around 11 a.m. and spend the afternoon there before picking up her daughter around 5 p.m. She'd eat dinner and return to the casino at around 8 p.m.
Berube said she followed that routine every day for five years.
"I didn't think you could become sick from gambling, but the casino was a crutch," she said.
At the time, Berube had the money to make big bets. The professional success she and her husband had enjoyed allowed them to live in an upscale Ottawa neighbourhood and to buy eight other properties in the capital region.
"There comes a moment when you stop looking at money the same way," Berube said.
She said she took home some big winnings, but the money didn't matter to her.
"All I wanted was to keep playing," she said.
Berube said she would always bring $20,000 to $25,000 cash in her bag and once made a $10,000 bet playing baccarat.
Pathological gambling is worse than alcoholism, she said. When you drink you crash after drinking 40 ounces, but gambling is more deceitful. Nothing can stop you and your body keeps going like a machine, she said.
BIG STAKES ROOM
Her gambling habits also evolved over time. She went from card games to the slot machines. And because she was a good customer, she had access to the big stakes rooms and received special treatment.
"I was a VIP client," said Berube, who added that all her meals were paid for and she was given several weekend ski trips to Mont Tremblant as gifts. She said Loto-Quebec also paid to celebrate her kids' birthday on a boat with all their friends.
Berube has been through therapy three or four times.
"It's like a drug. What I've found as a compromise is I go to the U.S. once every two months and spend $500 and play poker. I hate myself for doing it, but I need to."
