Former Dubai-based Filipino expat gambles away entire savings

Dubai - He bet all of his hard-earned money from Dubai.

Having worked as a sales supervisor in Dubai for 12 years, Noel decided to return home and work in the Philippines. This turned out to be a mistake.
Writing to the Filipino Times, Noel said that he lost everything he loves and owns because of one big mistake - gambling.
The former Dubai expat shares that he used to work as a sales supervisor in Dubai for 12 years. Earning Dh5,000 per month, he was able to afford a better life for his family and even buy a house at a gated community. It was also during this time that his wife gave birth to their first child.
In May 2014, he decided to leave the UAE to work in Manila. He did a brief stint as a hotelier in the Philippines but was laid off. This was when things took a turn for the worse, the report added.
Unknown to his family, he frequented several casinos in Manila. What started as a harmless evening with his buddies turned into an addiction he kept going back to. He narrates that he visits the casinos whenever he would feel stressed at work. He felt complacent because he had a lot of money owing to his time in Dubai.
But as the adage goes - "The house always wins". Noel's losses outnumbered his wins and soon enough, he was borrowing money from his brother to support his gambling.
He gambled until he drained his bank account, squandering the money he had saved in Dubai as well as drowning in debt to several people. His wife also abandoned him, taking their child with her.
Now, Noel is trying to restart his life and earn the trust of his wife and friends. He also warns Filipino expats to steer clear of not just gambling, but other habits that may be financially unhealthy.

• UAE
• Dubai
• Philippines