Raiders’ Joseph Tapine Reveals Pokies Addiction
- Canberra Raiders star Joseph Tapine discloses pokies addiction
- Confesses battling the problem for several years
Canberra Raiders forward Joseph Tapine has publicly spoken about his struggle with a gambling addiction, which he says threatened to derail his rugby league career.
Tapine, a popular player among fans and a crucial member of the Canberra pack, has become a highly respected figure in the National Rugby League (NRL) in recent years.
However, the New Zealand international player revealed he grappled with addiction early in his career.
‘The toughest lesson I learned was my pokies addiction,’ Tapine admitted on Nine’s Marlee and Me podcast.
‘I was living in a shared residence, and one of my housemates suggested we go out for dinner. We entered a pokies gaming room, and like many first-timers, I experienced beginner’s luck – I put in $20 and had a significant win.’
‘For three years afterwards, I battled to overcome that addiction. Pokies and excessive drinking were ingrained in the culture, making it very challenging to break free.’
Joseph Tapine has publicly disclosed his battle with a gambling addiction
Raiders star says it took several years to overcome the problem
‘These habits can take hold of you. I believe athletes, too, seek that adrenaline rush, and pokies provide that. It was a lengthy process to quit.’
‘I lacked financial literacy growing up. I had to learn about finances as I went, and Kirsten [Tapine’s wife] taught me a great deal. After meeting Kirsten, she issued an ultimatum.’
‘I believe the move to Canberra was beneficial; it coincided with the period of turmoil at Newcastle. The change of environment was instrumental in my recovery.’
Tapine’s revelations come just a week after former rugby league hardman David ‘Cement’ Gillespie bravely shared his own experience with gambling addiction.
Gillespie, who played 258 games for Canterbury, Manly and Wests, securing three NRL grand final victories, confessed to developing a gambling problem that escalated after his retirement.
‘Towards the end of my playing days, I fell into a gambling vice, specifically poker machines,’ the 60-year-old recounted to player manager Steve ‘Chimes’ Gillis on the Chiming In podcast.
The New Zealand international is a fan favourite and key player for the Canberra side
‘My marriage was deteriorating in the final years of my career, creating a difficult home situation, leading to my addictive spiral.’
‘Ultimately, I sought treatment at a rehabilitation facility for six weeks, approximately three or four years post-retirement.’