So, I'm just going  to lay it on the table as I don't want it to get any worse than what I am about to tell you.  I have been gambling for 10 years exactly, mainly because of ease of online access.  It started with bingo, then sports betting and in the last 18 months, slots too.  Concerned by the amount I was losing, just over a year ago I signed up to Gamstop.  After a refreshing few months gambling free, I started visiting the local bingo hall to play the slots.  When it shut for coronavirus, I discovered other sites to play slots.  It is the slots that have been the killer - I am burning through money at a frightening rate and it has to stop.  I cannot believe how I have let myself be hooked by slots given how they just eat money!  Here are the figures so you can see what I mean...
Between 2010 - mid 2018 I made a net loss of -20k.Â
Between mid 2018 - November 2020 I have made another net loss of -20k.
This acceleration of loss is, of course, due to slots.
My overall net loss in 40k over 10 years. Â That is equivalent to a full year of my salary. Â I am not in debt but if that money had been put to better use, I would have paid off my mortgage by now. Â
And that's it; Â 10 years, 40k gone! Â There was some entertainment along the way but pure and simple, I am in the grip of a very expensive addiction. Â It has to stop today!
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@jeanydog thanks for the information. I wondered if losing the money was the worse thing about the last ten years with your addiction becoming more prevalent?
Chris.
The money is certainly a bitter pill! Â If I had used the money to pay off my mortgage, particularly the slot money rapidly lost in last 18 months (about 25k), I could have paid off my mortgage so factoring in compound value, it is a huge amount!!!
The addiction itself is worse, I suppose.  It is such an expensive way to binge.  It is the addiction that has rationalised ‘it’s just another 1000’, or ‘time out from real life today, let’s have fun’.  A couple of months ago, I listened to a really helpful audiobook about gambling addiction.  I know that feeding the monster has made it bigger and stronger.  Each gambling free day will make it weaker.  I have allowed myself to get trapped in the marketing fantasy; the winning, the chase.  It is so true that slots are like crack C*****e!  The cold truth is, I might as well have flushed 40k down the toilet - it would have been better for me. Â
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Relapse!  Managed to find an old laptop of mine without Gamban.  £1000 blown over the weekend.  Feeling bad and feeling foolish. Â
On with putting even more restrictive measures in place now.
Why not change your bank to one that has a gambling block on it or sign up to Gamstop? It  doesn't matter then if you find another old laptop you won't be able to gamble anyway.
Have you contacted GA or the Gamcare advisers for help?
Chris.
Hi JeanÂ
Your story resonates with me, gambling for over 10 years.
it’s sad to see you have relapsed lately, please ensure to put the right blocks in place! Sign up to GamStop who automatically block you from gambling across all associated gambling sites.
I am now 8 months gamble free and I was similar to you, I would have a rough period and say right enough is enough, and then a few days later think right let’s go again!
You need to sign up to GamStop as they will block any sites you signed up to and prevent you from logging in!
ensure to contact your bank to block any gambling transactions too.
YOU can only make these changes and YOU have to put them in place for your benefit.
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