Recently, Nasdaq filed plans to allow trading 23 hours a day, five days a week, beginning Sunday evenings. On the surface, this sounds like “progress,” “access,” and “flexibility.” But when you look a little deeper, this move raises serious concerns — especially for those of us with a history of gambling addiction, compulsive trading, or impulse-driven behavior.
More access does not equal better outcomes. In many cases, it means the opposite.
Markets Are Starting to Look More Like Casinos
Financial markets are supposed to be structured, disciplined environments. Set hours create natural boundaries — time to reflect, cool off, and step away. When you remove those boundaries, trading begins to resemble gambling:
Constant action
Endless opportunities to “win it back”
No forced downtime
Emotional decisions made while tired, stressed, or triggered
For anyone who has struggled with gambling addiction, this should feel very familiar.
Downtime Is a Feature, Not a Bug
One of the most underrated protections in the stock market is when it’s closed.
Market closures:
Prevent revenge trading
Force pauses after losses
Reduce impulsive, emotional decisions
Encourage long-term thinking
By stretching trading hours to nearly 24/5, we’re removing one of the few built-in safeguards that keeps people from spiraling.
As gamblers, we know exactly what happens when there’s no “closing time.”
This Encourages Impulse, Not Investing
Long-term investing is boring — and that’s a good thing. It’s meant to be methodical, patient, and boring.
Extended trading hours:
Reward short-term speculation
Favor high-frequency and institutional traders
Encourage constant checking, tweaking, and reacting
Increase screen time and obsession
This environment is not designed for the everyday investor — and it’s especially dangerous for anyone with addictive tendencies.
Sunday Nights Shouldn’t Be a Trigger
The fact that this would start on Sunday evenings is particularly concerning.
Sunday nights are already emotionally charged:
Anxiety about the week ahead
Reflection on finances
Lingering stress
Adding live market access during this vulnerable time creates a perfect storm for impulsive decisions. For someone in recovery, that’s not “convenience” — that’s a trigger.
More Access ≠ More Control
We’re often told that more access gives us more control. But addiction teaches us the opposite.
More access usually means:
Less discipline
More temptation
More rationalization
More chances to act on urges
This is why casinos don’t close and why sports betting apps push notifications at all hours. It’s not about empowerment — it’s about engagement.
A Reminder for Those in Recovery
If you’re a gambling addict or someone recovering from compulsive trading:
You do not need to participate in 23-hour markets
You do not need to watch futures overnight
You do not need constant access to money-making opportunities
Protecting your recovery means protecting your boundaries.
Long-term wealth is built through:
Time in the market
Automated investing
Clear rules and limits
Less screen time, not more
This move by Nasdaq may benefit institutions, market makers, and high-frequency traders — but it comes at a cost. For everyday investors, and especially those with addictive histories, this blurs the already thin line between investing and gambling.
Just because the market is open doesn’t mean you should be.
Your recovery, mental health, and peace are worth more than any overnight trade.
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