So today I have committed to stopping gambling. I started matched betting 3 years ago, only on sports. As with everyone who matched bets it was quick and easy way to make money. I was clueless about casino when I started. Obviously overtime I lost the sports bonuses. I then started casino offers and continued to make money. Something changed about 2 years ago though, after big wins I would loss chase until all the big win was gone. It's now been two years of huge up and downs, winning back money then losing it all. This was fine in my mind initially, as I was playing with money made from matched betting or casino offers, until the losses continued beyond that I would top up my bank with savings or salary. Each time after a big loss I'd go back in and tell myself I can make it back, often I could. The big wins were always the problem. But I'd lose it again. I have no idea how much I have lost in total, probably now over £5k across 2 years. It's time to accept that I am not someone who can stick to doing only offers, that when I feel low I have a tendency to gamble and loss chase and I will not make the money back. There is no quick fix to getting money and overtime saving some of my salary each month will mean I have the money I need. I am so lucky to not be in debt, but I have a supportive family who have provided money when I needed (of course they do not know I was gambling with it). It has affected my ability to work and often when working from home I have spent whole days gambling instead of working.
Hello Oceania and welcome to the GamCare forum. Sounds like you came to a realisation that your gambling was causing problems for you and your family and affecting your work. How are you getting on since you made the decision to stop?
If you feel like you need any info on steps you can take to block yourself from gambling, or any other support to make this change, you can give us a call on 0808 8020 133 or by Livechat. We're here 24/7.
Please do keep posting and updating us on how you're getting on.
Best wishes
Deirdre
Forum Admin
this is very important not everyone really understands that this is a bad thing.
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