Hi,
I'm new here, I've recently realised I've got a serious gambling addiction. I'm already writing this and wanting to close the page and open my fav site instead.Â
I have gambled since 2020 (yes, lockdown). I've looked at my deposits recently and I've spent a horrible amount of money.Â
I'm so worried at the moment. We are on universal credit and have been asked for bank statements for the review which we have provided. I'm terrified. I know we have never had anything like 6k in savings or in the accounts in general. We also get PIP for one of our adult children and their UC paid to our account (as required by dwp). I work full-time. My husband worked full-time until he has recently acquired a spinal injury and our youngest child has been diagnosed with a (currently stable) brain tumour in the last 18 months , we are back and forth to specialist neurosurgeon and oncologist regularly. The stress is unimaginable and I know spending money that should be saved, pay for bills makes me a horrible person. But it's my go to to make myself feel better, unless I loose, then I immediately look to where I can borrow from and try snd win it back. Awful cycle!Â
I'm worried about the gambling on my bank statements. I've read loads saying it'll be okay but I've already got myself pictured being taken away in a meat wagon. I mean my statements are atrocious!!!!Â
Does anyone have any advice or experience?
Many thanksÂ
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Hello BassLou82,
Welcome to the forum and thank you for sharing this. It takes courage to ask for help.
It sounds like you’ve got so much on your mind at the moment wondering about the possible impact gambling may have on your Universal Credit payments and the health concerns of your husband and child.Â
How someone spends their Universal Credit isn’t normally looked at by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) so your payments shouldn’t be affected unless your gambling winnings would take you over the savings threshold (which it sounds like hasn’t happened). If you’d like some further advice, you could contact Citizens Advice who would be able to give you some independent, confidential information about your situation.  Â
You have really good insight into why you’re gambling and this is going to help you move forward. You’re not a horrible person; the stress you’re under sounds immense and I wonder whether you’ve looked into other support methods to help you manage.
I’m sure you’ll get some supportive responses to your post but I would also encourage you to get in touch with our Helpline so you can chat to us about everything and the support options available to you – you’re not alone with this.
Hope you can continue posting on here.
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All the best,
Claire
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Forum Admin
Hi BassLou
Good advice above. With regards to the bank statements, there is nothing you can do and worrying about it isn't going to change anything. I know that's not easy but it's true.Â
The only thing you can do which is in your control is stop. To start with you need to build up some barriers so you can place a bet. Subscribe to Gamban and put it on all your devices including your husband's and children's. Then self excluded for 5 years on Gamstop. There are other self exclusions on there as well to make sure you have no loop holes
If you go on your banking app you can block gambling transactions on your card. Maybe reduce the ATM limit as well and don't carry cash.Â
Would your husband take control of the finances so you have another barrier ?Â
I'm more than happy to talk more and give you other suggestions once you've got the above foundations in place. One thing I would say, don't underestimate the pull of the addiction. It won't ever go away but you can keep it tepidÂ
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