Advice needed please - roulette on FOBT

Hopefully by me writing on here will trigger something for me and make me stop, but it's just knowing that the day I get paid it just brings my bank balance to 0 and I feel I need to gamble to win money for the month, so wrong I know!!

Hopefully my addiction turns to being addicted to coming on here each day now I have made that 1st move.

Thanks Dean. I've tried to forget but once I get paid I feel the urge to go back ! Ive started to leave my wallet at home now so I can't go to the shops during the day but every so often when I have t I'm there!

How did you recover?

Like I say I hope this forum becomes my addiction and I'm sure by talking discreetly to others may help.

Thanks Dean - will try my best can't carry on like this it's killing me!

Will take your advice

Hi Roulette Addiction

Welcome to GamCare. Well done for taking the first step to get some help. There's a lot of help here for you.

You mentioned that you feel you can't tell your girlfriend about what's been happening. I'm just wondering what kind of support you have at the moment? It sounds like you might be going through this alone. We are here for you if you would like to talk in confidence on the helpline: Freephone: 0808 8020 133, or netline: http://www.gamcare.org.uk/support-and-counselling/frontline-services/netline#.VmhAeS1FCIY

I can see that you've already been welcomed by some other forum users, and perhaps you would like to try the daily chatrooms (8-9pm) as Dean8008 has suggested. I understand that you have found it difficult to find support that fits around your working hours. Gamblers Anonymous run support groups, usually in the evenings, so that may be of interest to you. GamCare also offers free specialist counselling in London so if you are interested in this then please do get in touch.

Leaving your bank card at home, as you have been doing, is a good idea. This can be a useful strategy when trying to get back in control of a gambling problem. Perhaps you could also self-exclude from the betting shops near your work? Self-excluding is a way of barring yourself, therefore it could create another barrier to gambling.

It sounds like you've got some other really positive things going for you at the moment, and hopefully saving for a mortage with your girlfriend will give you something to focus on and help to keep you motivated in your recovery.

I wish you all the best

Laura

Hi roulette addiction, its a hard road, im on day 6 today!, and all i keep thinking is i can get back on track financially if i stop gambling! as i know in the past when i havent gambled iv been able to save loads.... what you,v got to think to yourself is you might be £2000 in your overdraft now but down the line you will be able to save this amount and be back on track where as if you carry on you will just go furthur and furthur into more debt trust me theres only one winner in the end.... take care and think of your future with your girlfriend x

Hi,

Thought I would pop by with a couple of my own thoughts.

I was addicted to fobt slots and played daily - before work, lunch break, after work, weekends. Anytime I had cash I would have a punt.

You may (or may not) have heard of the triangle of time, money, location. In essence if you remove one you cannot gamble.

I removed the money aspect afor around 6 months And gave up access to cash and cards. Didn't carry a penny. If I needed something my wife would purchase it for me or would give me the relevant cash amount but in return I provided receipts to the penny (I was that bad a pound coin could mean a trip to the bokies)

Does it work?

240 days ago was my last play on a fobt. Sure my card has been returned but I mainly leave it at home. Why risk temptation?

Glad to hear you are moving in the right direction.

Best wishes

Thanks for all the comments - it's good to hear so many stories! I will definitely try to stick to the suggestions, not bringing card, no/minimal cash etc! To be honest ive not even thought about it the past 2 days as I have been constantly coming on here reading stories writing posts etc but then when I check my account I fee so angry and annoyed I get upset! I'm not prepared to tel my gf I don't want to risk losing her and I know people say you will feel better if u do well yes I can see that to a certain degree but I have also read where ppl have told their partners and it has gone the other way and she ended it. I know what I've done is wrong it's down to me to sort it out.

i have lots of thinngs coming up all which will cost money, Xmas, a stag do, best friends birthday night out, I can't afford to go to these if I'm honest but how can I tell everyone that I don't have any more bcoz I've gambled it all, they will say you have just been paid there's no excuse! N that's why I think I'll struggle to get out of the over draft.

Finally, does anyone know what the position is with banks when u go to get a mortgage? I'm guessing I will be ready in a year, touch wood, will they look back at my statements and not give me a mortgage?

Thanks everyone

Hi Roulette

Im only on day 2 of no gambling on the slots online but have found this site to be amazing help.

I phoned the help line and had a great chat to a super kind lady. I am going to try the chatroom later.

I am keeping a daily diary on here as it helps me.

Keep coming back when the urge hits as reading the stories and writing your own helps. Dotty

Thanks both.

I plan to come here as much as possible and definitely when I get the urge - hope coming o. Here turns to my addiction! Another full day passed today and I haven't once thought about going to play the machines. Is that bcoz I know I don't literally have the money to do it or because I am making a move in the right direction? Payday will be the big test even tho I won't have any money I still have the overdraft. I will try my very best to stay off of them. Thanks

When you get paid, straight away call the bank and tell them to decrease your overdraft down each time so you still hVe some money left but the overdraft gets paid. Also make your choice now, mortgage and future with your girl or end up alone with no money? Just you and a machine and you wont even beat it. Sounds harsh but its reality and as simple as that

RA, I've got the t-shirt that your trying to get, trust me you don't want it.

re your mortgage, yes your bank will look at your financial history whilst making a decision on your mortgage.

Looking at your location, I'm guessing your on a decent salary and you have youth on your side to make amends, if you act NOW.

Whatever you have lost, right it off, you will NEVER get it back.

I started gambling when I was around 18 and am approaching 41 now, read my diary if you have a spare 5 mins, you CAN get through this, be happy for what you earn, don't look to win more, and above all, cherish what you have i.e. your partner, that last spin could be what sends her elsewhere...

The roulette is the worst of all , I have battled for many years with addiction but the intriduction of the roulette at times brought me close to death.

The machines mess with your head and leave you in absolute ruins , I went 200 + days until the middle of this year , got cocky after a few wins which ended up in my blowing over £2000.00 last night on the fobt and was awake chasing money at 3am when I should have been asleep.

The machines leave you disappointed by the close misses , 25 or 34 when you had 17 , 32 when you have zero , 14 when you have twenty , even touhing your number on the way there.

I am on day 1 all over again , I cannot slip back to where I was last night , quite simply I will lose everything.

hi john mate

i know exactly what your saying , i lost just under a 1k this month and although not a lot of money in the city , a lot to me around xmas , they just so addictive , ur brain twists you to think ur number coming in next , your in a bad way mate thats a big loss and a very damaging one

no advice as im on day 1 just hope ur ok today buddy , check in

I honestly think the fobt roulette puts you under some kind of hypnosis the longer I am on there the more alian like I become , today is not a good day still reeling from my stupid actions of yesterday and wondering when this will end