Football bets

Hello, thanks for posting, online was my thing too so here is some advice I can offer you.

1. Sign up to Gamstop, I'd recommend 5 years.

2. See if your bank can put blocks on payments to gambling sites, consider changing accounts if they cannot.

3. Share your problem with those close to you, sounds like you already have to a degree so this shouldn't be too big a step. Be open and honest with them and yourself about it. I am signed up to Gamstop for 5 years and have told all of my friends that if they see me gambling on my phone in the future with me waxing lyrical about how I'm ok now then to take my phone off me as it's absolute bullsh*t, I'm not ok. I've also told my close family, that was tough but was also a massive weight off my shoulders.

4. what's done is done and what's gone is gone, don't waste more time fretting over what's happened. Acceptance is a big step towards not wanting to gamble further (chasing those losses!).

5. Set yourself some short-term goals, you mention not being able to get gifts for people so perhaps try and save to take your other half out for a nice meal. 

6. Be kind to yourself.

I'm sure others will offer other advice such as CBT, therapy, etc. I've not done those but have managed to go over 3 years without a gamble. Gamstop stopped me dead in my tracks and my acceptance of what I'd done prevented me from trying to work around those blocks. I've managed to clear my debts and start to see the fruits of my hard-earned money, I didn't do this until I was mid-forties so you are in a much more favourable position age-wise. I still visit this site regularly and read stories, offer a bit of advice/support every now and then, that's because I'm a gambling addict and this keeps me grounded.

I wish you all the very best.

You’re in a dangerous position son, all too often a sports gambler will progress onto the tables thinking they can win the lost money back quickly. If it works you’ll keep on gambling, if it doesn’t then you’re in the washing machine. Over time an online casino will rinse you, it’s a business and the odds are in their favour. 
I’m sure you’ll tell me the tables don’t interest you, and they might not for the time being. Many people do unfortunately end up here, please don’t let it be you. 

Good one for looking into helping yourself at 23 years old. Few years back in my late 30's I often would think about how different my path could have been had I tackled my gambling addiction in my early 20s. You're in a great position to absorb all the help possible and apply this to your life. Go for it mate. Get all the blocks in place and utilise help from mum, dad and girlfriend. The slippery slope of gambling addiction will only get worse as I'm sure you already know from gambling for 5 years. Good luck mate