Slotting... a life threatening illness

I agree, yet all forms of problem gambling are the same mate.

I must admit to only ever using online slots a couple of times, it’s very addictive and very stupid in truth, like all forms of virtual gambling there will only ever be one winner.

There does seem to be a huge amount of folk on here addicted to them, it’s promoted as s**y, lots of colour, fun, constant little wins to keep you interested but by god it’s very time consuming too.

Not my bag but I echo the OP, very dangerous form of gambling.

Couldn't agree more. On line slots is the biggest rise in cases of gambling problems in decades. Think whatever form of gambling you choose , will only end up destroying your mental health. From my personal experience the real danger of  online gambling, is the fact these companies continue to allow you to deposit hundreds of pounds every ten minutes. I genuinely believe that clicking a button to deposit it's like it's not real money. Until your wages are gone in a matter of hours. Then reality kicks you between the eyes. If I had to physically hand over that money it would have been a different story. I am lucky as I have never even been inside a bookies or a casino. So I appreciate that for some addicts that isn't the case. These sites need to be more closely monitored and regulated to prevent more poor people becoming addicts. 

I agree 100% makes me sick to think of how many times I would stay up until 3 in the morning emptying my bank account, not feeling like it was spending actual money. Indeed it's marketed as have a go, harmless fun. In reality it sucks you in to a cycle that's so hard to escape.

yes it is. Its well up there and I cant think of a more dangerous addiction for wasting huge sums of cash fast. Not only that its an addiction which thtreatens our health in a very serious way

I always thought that even a heroin addict doesnt face the risk of blowing untold amounts of cash in one session. Im not negating heroin addiction but at least they know the cost of a fix if you know what Im getting at.

One of my gambling sessions cost me £400 then the following day another £300.

Gambling addiction takes over so much that we dont want to hear the truth. When I first started on here somebody told me the truth and I deleted all my posts in a petulant huff.

I thank that person now. They told me I was playing at recovery and they were absolutely right. I did not know how ill and misguided I was. I do now!

I see plenty of new joiners just like I was. It saddens me but I am determined to try and help

Best wishes to everyone on the forum

I know exactly how you feel. Just won over *** and am now 2 k into my over draft when will I stop. 

Hi all, just thought I'd leave a reply. In short, just lost a load of money in a 24 hour arcade in Bristol. Was in a trance, literally, and just couldn't leave at any point, even though I knew I should. Amounts are irrelevant, but I'll share them anyway for tonight's session... £xx down, £xx down, £xx down, have I had enough? No. £xx down, £xx down, back to £xx down. You get the picture. On and on it goes until eventually, after several hours I am left with £xx. 9 times out of 10 I would keep going to blow every last penny, a form of self harm/self destruction, call it what you will. I can't explain it myself. However, tonight, with £xx left I'd just had enough. I couldn't keep beating myself up mentally anymore. Gambling (for me) is most definitely a mental illness - a mental health problem - 100%. I certainly don't gamble to win. Boredom; passing the time; killing time; buying time; these are just some of the reasons I have come up with, but it's absolutely a form of self destruction as well. Perhaps I gamble to lose, to reaffirm the low opinion (I didn't think I had) of myself? Whatever the reason, because it's way beyond reasoning now, all I know is that it's complete bonkers and so irrational and mad that I feel like ending it all on leaving. Is that a way to live life? Is that a good thing? Constructive living? Feeling good about oneself? I don't need to answer these questions. Dear God (if you do exist... and even if you don't) PLEASE, let tonight be the last time I self destruct. Gambling is not about money, that much I know. This is most definitely a mental health problem, and a very serious one at that. Thanks for reading. Simon, Bristol.

Dear Simon40,

We hope you find some comfort in sharing your thoughts, feelings and experiences. You are doing well to talk about it on the forum. If you also need some extra support via our one to one chat on our Helpline 0808 8020 133 or Netline, then just get in touch.  We still offer our free treatment sessions too.  This is not a battle you need to fight alone we are right here, and so are many others, taking the path to recovery .  You can drive the changes, you have learnt things along the way. 

Take care of yourself, 

Forum Admin    

Hi Simon... My addiction started in city centre arcades. Your not alone in what you describe that's for sure. I think I have read elsewhere that you have managed to have long periods off the gambling... so well done to you. get back to what you were doing before to help you stay stopped... as I do the same! 

It is a mental illness in my opinion and perhaps much of it is indeed to do with low self-esteem and escape. When am feeling a bit hopeless (in its broadest sense) I am more likely to go to the machines and then when am actually "at it" I feel even worse about myself and then the self-destruct really kicks in. The only solution is not to play. Every day gamble free is an achievement. You have done it before you can do it again... as can I... all the best mate.. 🙂

Slotting (or any other casino games) are the worst as far as I'm concerned. Its the 24/7 access too. There is a last horse race of the day, a last football match of the day (unless you fancy the Bolivian third division at 3am!). 

Just when you thought slotting couldn't get any worse they have brought in one of the most pernicious ideas of the lot. The ability to buy the bonus feature (and gamble, and lose it, it for extra spins)! This cannot be beaten for cynicism. The idea behind it is that after a poor return of mostly dead spins you will buy it again and again. They want you losing money at a faster and highet rate! 

Well, well, well! This is massive news! The UKGC has banned games with the “buy feature” option. Excellent news and hopefully the UKGC will do more.