Hello everyone. Been viewing the forum for nearly a year now as I am a compulsive gambler. However, I haven’t posted as I felt a bit of a fraud .... I was still betting,and although losing it was only amounts I could afford to (I have quite a well paid job, although I had been losing regularly for 10 years, so added up to c£50k). I had a number of narrow escapes recently on online blackjack, where I had been a long way down but managed to get level by upping the stakes. Every time this had happened I blocked myself from the site, but there’s always a new one! Last night I lost £35k in an hour, and only stopped because I had reached my daily withdrawal limits. I thought about taking money from a business account I have access to, but fortunately stopped myself at the last minute. Having read a lot of the diaries, i’ve tried to take some advice. I’ve told my partner (we have 3 children) and parents. They were unbelievably supportive. I have transferred all my remaining money to my partner and given her access to my bank account ... I can also set up for my wage to go straight to her. Fortunately I’m not in debt although have just wiped out years of saving. I’m determined to become an active part of the GamCare community and will start a recovery diary as need all the support I can get in beating this. I’d been trying to convince myself that sports betting was ok, but it was a £20 sports loss that led me to play blackjack to get my stake back, so clearly I need to stop all forms of gambling. Not a great Xmas Eve but next year will be better and I felt so much relief telling everyone, after a night trying to work out how to get money to win it back (as my history shows, even if I did, I would lose in the end). Hope everyone has as good a Xmas as they can, whatever their circumstances, and can look forward to 2018 with determination to beat this. Day 1 of not gambling! Richard
sickening mate £35k in a hour heart goes out to ye worst feeling in the world you are right though every time i say oh il be ok its just a £20 footy bet i go out of controle stay away from the first bet and you wont have the second easier said than done i have ruined my christmas aswell mate maxing my credit card out i am in around £4000 debt at the minute nothing good comes from this addiction i hate it and wish never placed a football bet 9 years ago i wish you all the best though mate in your recovery stay strong
t Thanks a lot, always good to know that not just me feeling like this. Sounds like we both need to quit completely and make sure we don’t have to feel like this next Xmas. Gutted about blowing all the hard work to get that money, but no desire to try and chase it back ... almost easier it being such a huge sum. Silly thing is I actually got to within £45 of winning it all back but just wanted to feel like i’d won, so put another £50 on and then lost 11 hands in a row whilst doubling up. Clear in hindsight they know how you play, so not chance I almost but not quite won ... also not chance I lost so many in a row, as that can’t happen at blackjack ... dealer should have bust or I got a good hand at least once. Anyway, hopefully the detail will put someone else off doing the same. Let’s both beat this and then Xmas 2018 won’t feel like this ....
Hi Rich . We conversed a couple of weeks ago and are virtually at the same stage. Just wanted to say hi. Everything perfect my side still not gambling . I can see you are good your side , you seem to be offering great advice out to people . Holla at me on my diary , would be nice to speak to you . Bryan
We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can also contact us for free on 0808 80 20 133. If you would like to find out more about the service before you start, including information on confidentiality, please click below. Call recordings and chat transcripts are saved for 28 days for quality assurance.
