AITA for kicking my sister out when she blew MY money on online game?

In a modest apartment buzzing with the coos of a 3-month-old, a young mom’s world turned upside down. Her sister, a guest in her home, spun away her entire paycheck on a digital slot machine called Coin Master, leaving the fridge bare and the baby’s needs unmet. Picture the sting of betrayal as the grocery card declined, the sinking realization that every penny was gone. This wasn’t just a game—it was a breach of trust that shattered their fragile harmony.

The fallout was swift and fierce. The 22-year-old mom, fueled by panic and fury, sent her sister packing without a word of explanation. Now, with family ties strained and parents taking sides, the internet is abuzz with opinions. Can a recovering addict’s slip justify such a drastic move? This Reddit saga dives into the messy intersection of family loyalty, addiction, and a mother’s fierce protectiveness.

‘AITA for kicking my sister out when she blew MY money on online game?’

My(22f) sister 27f, has been living with me and my 3 month old for the last 2 months after her company liquidated. She wasn't there long enough to receive a redundancy payment so she was kind of screwed. Aside from the issue here, are was a good housemate.

She was clean, had people over but never too many or too often, helped out with the baby. Just generally okay to live with, especially since she has actually been job hunting. Now the problem is, my sister was a recovered gambling addict.

All of her bank cards have gambling blocks in place, because her addiction was so severe. She even would blow money on online games, such as Coin Master this time. It doesn't even need to be real money she's winning, just the spinny s**t gives her that happy chemical. All it results in is losing money.

She was using my tablet to do this, which I unknowingly had Google pay set up on. I never changed the settings so that I'd need a password to buy anything on the play store, since I thought I was the only person with access to it. I was wrong.

Yesterday alone, my sister managed to blow my *entire* paycheck on coin master, and I wasn't aware until this morning when I went to get my groceries, but my card declined. I checked my banking app, and emails and she had managed to spend everything on game packs.

This meant that I wasn't able to grocery shop for the next two weeks, and while I can survive on what I have, the baby cannot, because we're low on everything for him but I can't get what I need. I've posted on FB groups and stuff but they havent been much help yet.

I admit, I was maybe more angry than I should've been at my sister, and as soon as I got home, I kicked her out. I didn't give her a reason, or let her know I know she spent everything, I just kicked her out.

When our parents called to ask why, I explained snd they said I'm being unfair, that since I didn't set up necessary protection and knowing she has a problem, I'm being an a**hole. They won't speak to me now, and have taken my sister, who blocked me, in. AITA?

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Kicking out a sister who gambled away your paycheck feels like a gut punch, especially when a baby’s needs hang in the balance. The young mom’s rage is understandable—she’s protecting her child—but her sister’s addiction complicates the picture. The sister, a recovering gambling addict, knowingly used her sibling’s tablet to fuel her compulsion, betraying trust. Yet, the parents’ blame on the mom for not securing her device hints at a classic case of enabling.

Addiction often ripples beyond the individual, straining family bonds. A 2023 study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse notes that 1 in 10 adults with addiction issues impact their family’s financial stability. Here, the sister’s relapse directly endangered her nephew’s well-being, escalating the stakes. The mom’s eviction, though harsh, reflects a desperate need to safeguard her child.

Dr. Gabor Maté, an addiction expert, states, “Addiction is not a choice but a response to pain; recovery requires accountability and support”. The sister’s actions demand consequences, but her addiction suggests she needs help, not just punishment. The mom could dispute the charges with Google Pay or her bank, as unauthorized transactions may be refundable. Long-term, setting boundaries—like password-protecting devices—and encouraging therapy for the sister could prevent repeat disasters.

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Let’s dive into the reactions from Reddit:

Reddit didn’t hold back, dishing out a fiery mix of support and outrage. From calls to pursue legal action to gasps at the parents’ defense of the sister, the community’s takes are as bold as a neon jackpot sign. Here’s what they had to say:

[Reddit User] − NTA. Call your bank and tell them that the payments were made without your knowledge or consent. Do the same thing with Google pay. Stuff like this happens all the time with kids doing it etc so they should both have some idea on what you can do to recover at least some of your money.

She knew what she was doing, she knew it wasn't her money she was spending and she stole from you.. Addiction is a disease, but that doesn't protect the person from the consequences of their actions.

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[Reddit User] − NTA, this is money YOU earned for YOUR child, the fact she did that knowing full well you have a child to feed makes her the biggest AH ever

naraic- − NTA. I also note that ywnbta if you reported your sister's theft and began legal proceedings to force repayment of the money.

gooboifresh − Nta. And your parents, your child’s grandparents, are perfectly fine with defending and enabling a situation (theft, an actual crime as well) which could very possibly lead to health issues to the baby? Psychos, the lot of them

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Please protect yourself and baby from her and your parents.. I would bet money on her retaliating, in some way. My worst thought is her calling CPS and framing it as you (and not her) gambled away the money and now can’t feed or care for your own baby.

Wrecks128 − Of course you’re NTA. Your sister just stole your entire paycheck. She should be grateful all you did was kick her out not file charges.. Are your parent not appalled that their grandchild is about to go hungry because of his Aunt? Addiction is a monster but you also can’t expect everyone in your life to alter themselves to cater to you and your addiction.

Any_Cantaloupe_613 − NTA. Let me get this straight. Your sister spent your paycheck on coinmaster and now you have no money to feed yourself and your INFANT? And your parents somehow think you are the a**hole?? A loving grandparent would offer to replace that money so their grandchild can eat.. Also, see if you can get the charges disputed. You might be able to get your money back.

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crazycatlady45325 − NTA and your sister will do it again. If you parents are so concerned she can live with them. You are not being unfair at all. She is not your child- she is your sister. Why hasn't your parents offered to help you?

[Reddit User] − NTA. Your parents are victim blaming.

[Reddit User] − She put your child at risk of, if not starvation, at least malnourishment. NTA, and don't buy into anyone who tries to make you feel guilty for making an addict face the consequences of their actions. That's enabling, and it doesn't help anyone.

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MissTheWire − NTA. You are missing the big picture: Your parents are willing to let you be low on food WITH A BABY?!?!?? Your sister blocked you because she doesn’t want to hear the consequences of her actions. I hope she takes all of your parents’ money.

These Reddit hot takes pack a punch, but do they see the full picture of addiction’s grip? Or are they too quick to judge? One thing’s clear: this drama’s got everyone spinning.

This tale of betrayal and eviction leaves us grappling with tough questions about family, addiction, and survival. The young mom’s swift kick-out protected her baby but fractured her family, while her sister’s relapse reveals the relentless pull of addiction. Was she too harsh, or was it the only way to draw a line? Share your thoughts—how would you handle a loved one’s addiction threatening your child’s well-being? Let’s unpack this messy, human drama together.

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