Don't want to go back to that scary place

Well done Andrew on taking the first step, you're so right to try to nip it in the bud quickly this time.

Rachel 🙂

be careful... a lot of people believe that roulette machines in bookies (FOBT's) are rigged; they operate like a fruit machine at quite a small fixed percentage payout, they are really just a simulation of roulette.

Similarly with graphics-based online roulette. £8000 in a few minutes ? what if you were cheated out of that money ? people even have their suspicions about online 'live roulette' e.g. that magnets are used etc. isn't the curved motion of the ball you sometimes see rather strange ?! The live casinos online aren't licensed the same way that land-based UK casinos are. How do you know what goes on staring at your screen hundreds or thousands of miles away ?

So stop being a mug. Nip it in the bud before it gets worse. Even with football the least-worst bets you can do are singles & to shop around compare odds for the best price. Wonder why the bookies promote accumulators on football coupons etc ? because their margins are far higher. Their edge with each game is multiplied with each additional bet. When was the last time they had a poster that said "have a win single" ? They are in it for profit, they want to profit from YOU.

If you want to throw away money why not give it to a reputable charity instead ?

for more advice check out www.gamblingfactsandfictions.com (click link twice as annoying pop-up on first click)

Andrew, massive positive repaying 70K in the 9.5 years you should be proud. I was unable to remortgage to pay my gambling debts so had to do a debt management plan cica 2009 that will be repaid in 2022, was 52k now on 35k so slowly but surely getting that cleared. Problem is I kept on gambling and 3 days ago cleared my business account of all funds, majority was due to suppliers, the joint bank account overdraft of 3K, maxed out a credit card and got a payday loan outstanding. Credit rating is bad so no loans etc available, only option i got now is to put my efforts into selling some items and somehow repaying it all.

This forum has been really inspiring for me and made me realise i'm not alone in this battle. I'm on day 3 and have had several urges but have not acted. Due to a couple of members reminding me that to be 100% committed to stopping you've got to close your accounts immediately and download blocking software. If you dont, then like me you will probably be drawn back in, I have been chasing lossses and as you know that never works. Wish i had stopped prior to this last binge but I did'nt, have now put my business and liveihood in jeopordy but by at least abstaining for the last 3 days I have started what is hopefully the end of this chapter in my life. Good luck and i will keep looking at your thread to see how things are going.

Andrew - my losses seem small to yours however I am in the same boat. I am a new member (literally just signed up) and looking for like minded people to hopefully get some strength from!!! I lost my last bet on pay day which was on New Years Eve. I've had to tell my girlfriend and brother (who got a 7500 pound loan to help me) that I don't have his re payment this month!! So new year; new me!! Time for a change.... Thanks for your post.. Inspiring already

New year new me is a great sentiment people. So what are we actually going to change to tackle your gambling?

Changes so far: girlfriend taking over my bank account so it is honest and open, betting account totally closed! Signed up to here to get advice, help and support. Also got a bank app tomorrow to make all outgoings/debt monies owed into a manageable payment. I've also changed my mindset and had eyes opened on how quickly you can lose so much money/family etc.. Really is not worth £500 on Barcelona coming from behind to win.. So what if it comes in.. A week later it'll all be gone again and I'll be stressed, unhappy and prob on the betting site for hrs a day not really communicating... Chose Life!!!!

Great start bud really positive steps. Couple of other things to get you started. GA meetings they are a great help for support & advice from people with experience. Blocking software for all your devices

Thank you - yes that is great.. Thanks

Hi timeforchange, welcome to the site 🙂

I'm gonna add my two pennies worth since you mentioned the machines in the bookies that dragged me here...Self exclude! Alone it was not enough for me to get my act together but since I have been gamble free, knowing that I am excluded has made the urges much easier to deal with. I am surprised you managed to 'stay in control' as long as you did, gambling all along whilst paying back all that money but this is a wake up call now. You're not talking about charity raffles or the odd pound on the lottery, you are inside a bookies surrounded by temptation & the ability to chase losses until you are utterly destroyed.

Use these forums to wise up & walk away from gambling & the destruction it has already caused you - ODAAT

Thanks Rachel, Amt74 and timefor change - I appreciate your comments and support. I wish I'd found this site years ago - it really helps to share with people who know what it's like. I've started posting a daily diary now - I think it will help me remain focussed!

Good luck all - a no gamble day is another small but precious step in the right direction - 3 days clean now.

Hey Andrew, was just going to ask how it's going but I see you're 3 days clean - good work soldier! I agree, wish I had come on here long before. Oddly enough, when I have tried to self exclude from some of the more slippery casinos that try to persuade me to stay by giving free chips, I have threatened them that 'I will report them to Gamcare' like it is the police or something, lol! I have seen the little logo on lots of the casino sites, but I think just didn't admit that I really do have a problem. Anyway, glad to know it's going well 🙂

x

Andrew - I'll look forward to reading your diary and posts. Yes I've just found this site and already it has really helped me. It's interesting as I am at my hm tonight and have access to the internet but I have no urge to even look at BET 365... they'll be games on but have realised there will only be one winner in the long run and it won't be me'!!! So feel quite strong tonight....