I've always gambled, amounts vary but always been online or visit casinos.Â
Since moving to Spain i have found online gaming where there isn't thy restrictions we have in the UK so I can do fast spins and bonus buys.  This is where my problem began to get serious.Â
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Basically I've done 15 to 20k in a month purely online slots.  The money I've spent was my savings so luckily I still have enough to live on but I didn't really notice how much I was spending.  I felt physically sick so I've decided to call it a day.Â
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Yesterday was my first day without gambling, although I did get offered a 1k bonus by one casino, which I'm pleased to say I deleted from my email and asked them to close my account.Â
I've got the blocking software on my phone now but maybe have only realised I have a problem.  Constantly chasing loses with the very odd win here and there.....
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Please tell me it gets easier lol
Well I've just been out and didn't touch the fruit machine as I normally would and a group of friends have all gone to the casino to carry the night on..... I made my excuses and left.  So onwards to day 3.......
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Not sure it's anyone is reading this but felt like a bit positive to me so thought I'd share
@dave208 sounds good mate well in , hardest day is day one…. I’ve been stop start gambling for 13 years. Lost my house , girlfriend and am in crazy amounts of debt . It does get easier, couple of weeks ago I was really craving a bet. 3 months no gambling today.
It doesn't get easier at day 2 no about 90% will relapse in the first 30 - 60 days so you'll need extreme vigilence for the foreseeable , especially the amounts you are talking about 15-20K a month is enormous stakes and you may very well be in a lot deeper than you even realise
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I would advise seeking professional help as soon as possibleÂ
Hi Dave,
Wow, you have made some pretty huge achievements here and I am shocked to see that you have made them all so quickly in your journey.Â
Achievements:
1. Deciding to commit to tackling your gambling. (Big step)
2. Rejecting a 1k bonus. (Off the scale amazing)
3. Installing blocking software on your phone. (So many people take such a long time to be ready for this step)
4. Going out and resisting the slots. (That takes some serious strength)
5. Declined to go to the casino with your friends. (Added pressure of friends being present, really impressive that you walked away from this)
6. Asking for your account on a gambling website to be closed.
I really do think that all this is absolutely brilliant that you have been this strong so far...however, I would be a little bit worried about you putting yourself in to situations where slots are present, especially so soon into your journey. Maybe this is something you could discuss with the GamCare helpline if you think you would find it helpful to help you get a gauge on how risky this may or may not be for you as an individual. The version of Dave on day 2, may not be the same version on month 2.
Well done you,
Hannah
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