Hi I’m Scarlett,
I started gambling roughly 10 years ago, it was actually my parents that introduced me to online slots and “showed me what I could win” from then I was hooked and it just progressively got worse and worse until last year I inherited 40k, spent about 5k on myself and blew the rest online over 4 months. I couldn’t believe what I had done, I felt physically sick. It was only then I truly realised I have a problem. Since Sept last year I’ve been trying so hard, I’ve had maybe 5 relapses but I know I’m getting there slowly. I realise it’s because I haven’t told a soul not even my partner or family so today I chatted with gamcare and I'm hoping to join some local groups and receive counselling. I HAVE to do it this year. Gambling can affect anyone and it’s so destroying, but I’m feeling positive.
Hi there Scarlett. So sorry to hear about your gambling losses, especially as it was money inherited. I did something similar just under 3 years ago - spent 27k of my own hard earned money in just a matter of a few weeks!!🙈. I remember just hysterically shaking on my sister’s settee trying to tell her what I had done! This is coming from (what people who know me) consider me to be extremely money savvy and sensible.  That I was until online gambling took a hold. Just thinking about that amount of money spent on gambling in such a short space of time now, just fills me with disbelief so I try not to think of it and just concentrate on today and all my other days going forward. At least you didn’t go 40k into debt which I think is a blessing at least.
Things will most definitely get better if you remain g.f. I have had a few lapses over the last 17 years of gambling. I remained g.f for 5 years, until my Gamstop expired a year last December. I then continued to gamble until March 24, getting myself in yet even more debt! Yes I won but as ever, I just gave it all straight back to those rich gambling establishments 👎.
Tomorrow, I will have reached 300 days g.f. My finances and emotional and physical wellbeing are so much better for it too. I would say to read the diaries on here for encouragement and motivation. Â Feel free to read mine!😊.
I wish you strength and determination to better your life.
Take care.
Pink Lady 🩷🍎.
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Scarlett, hope your okay! Well done for coming here and talking. Keep doing it! Talking most definitely helps, even if it's just to us.Â
Your right though I had an inheritance not as much as yours but it definitely feels like 'free money'. Maybe that's why after it all went I started using credit or online games to just click and play never seeing the true meaning of spending hard earned money.Â
You got this this time round ! Keep talking and good luck!!Â
Wish you a fast recovery!
Hi Scarlett, we’ve sadly all been there, and the amount of times we’ve started saying I would love to win £500, only to lose £500 and then wish you could just win your £500 back. It’s awful, and when you win £100 back, you’re grateful. It’s horrific! Are you on gamstop now? Does your partner know the money has gone? I had £20k in savings which is all gone, my partner knows I don’t have it now but doesn’t know why . We are married but have our own finances. But I’m never winning that money back, best way to get anything back is never gamble again and start saving. I really hope you’re ok x
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