Hi all I'm lee, 32 year old male originally from up north but working in London.
I work out on the roads doing traffic management so drive around a lot and have a lot of spare time on my hands... Not always a good thing 🙁
Before I started this job 7 years ago I had never gambled in my life, now I admit I am addicted to it.
I earn good money but have no savings to show for it, infact I'm now in a few thousand pound debt to horrible pay day loan company's.
I started off playing these £500 jackpot slots in motorway services after watching my work colleague win quite a bit at first. I then went onto the roulette machines in bookies and football bets getting bigger and bigger.
I put on my football bets for the Friday/Saturday on Friday evening, both lost with one team knocking me, Barcelona last night.
When I looked back into my betting history I could see my bets have been getting bigger and bigger, I'm talking about blowing £500+ a week on bets and fobt's, I've realised enough is enough.
I've decided to try and stop, my kids don't want for anything as I always buy their necessities first, but I would like to have money in the bank to treat them to holidays etc.
So as of today I have closed all my online betting accounts and deleted all the apps off my smart phone and ipad. I never intend on stepping foot back inside a bookies again as I'm like a moth to lights and attracted to the machines. I am also leaving my bank cards in the boys and just taking £10 a day with me for food/drink.
Hopefully on pay day ( Friday ) I can have money left in my account and start paying off my debt.
Hi big lee
Well done for coming to this site and posting it takes a lot of guts and is a great step towards being gamble free.
I am 75 days free and I feel great. I am probably not the best person to advise as to what to do next but what I would say is to get a blocker like k9 or betfilter to ensure that you cannot gamble. Also if you can hand over your finances to someone else (anyone you can talk to about it?).
Anyway I am sure there are a lot of people who can give you some wise words other than me but believe me when I say life is so so so much better without the devastation that gambling causes to yourself and your family.
Keep posting and we will all be here on this forum to support you.
Linda
Thanks for your reply Linda 🙂
I haven't really got anyone to confide in as I've recently lost my brother in December so don't want to burden my parents with this, also don't really want tell people as I feel like a failure so I'm determined to do this on my own.
Starting well though as I completed yesterday without a single bet, which I normally would do when football is on, also took the lad I work with to the bookies and resisted, which is a first for me 🙂
Noticed this morning in hammersmith high street that every bookies now has big gamcare posters in the windows about setting your limits etc, it's nice to see that the problem is being raised 🙂
hi lee
Is great you got through yesterday without a bet and if you take each day at a time you will find they add up quite quickly and you soon notice the difference in yourself and your wallet!
I would avoid putting too much pressure on yourself by going into bookies if you can even if it is only to take someone else as something small could trigger you to want a "small bet" which would put you back to square one.
Keep believing in yourself as we were not born gamblers and we do not need it. Life is so much sweeter without it!
Best Wishes
Linda
Thanks Linda. It's now been 3 days since I went on a machine and 2 days without a bet.
Unfortunately I work outdoors on the roads and spend about 10 hours a day in the van or outside, so have no option other than to go if my colleague wants to go 🙁 could wait outside I suppose lol
hey lee
Up to you with that but I would say its risky to go in at the moment. Have a little walk when he is in there as that will make you feel better at least. Its up to you though whatever you feel comfortable with. I have been gamble free for 76 days and I dont think I could risk a trip to any gambling establishment without getting some major urges!
Keep going though!
Linda
Hi Lee, glad to say that's it not something your on your own with. I have read the replies and there is lots of support here.
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