Hey, so I'm not too sure where to start lol. I'm jorden, female and I'm 21 I've been gambling for around 4 years and it's been a problem for around 2 years. It all started when my auntie took me to the local bingo hall (my auntie also has a problem with gambling), I began playing the 10p slots but then I noticed she had a bit of an obsession with rainbow riches so I decided to have a go. The thought of playing £1 a spin was killing me but I decided £10 would be it, well half way in to the ten pound it came up with blocks of rainbow riches I'd won £244 from just £7 then of course I thought i could win all of the time and I was, I was winning a few hundred every week and then it stopped. I started going to bingo halls 4/5 times a week and 2 years later I calmed down. Then I decided to join online after seeing an offer, I won £140 on my sign up bonus and the money was in my bank in 2 days. Then I joined every site possible that's linked up to the virtue fusion gaming slowly over the next few months and here I am now VIP on 4/5 that I play. This month I just got promoted to VIP in club too! I do only go Once a week in club but I'm more careful in club because the money constantly passes through my hands. So basically I have a problem online and I get paid every Saturday and by Sunday it's gone Monday-Friday I borrow money to get by, I've stopped paying bills and got myself in to debt and my partner knows, he hates it, we fight over it all of the time but I'm very defensive and sometimes I feel like I don't care? But I do, but I don't which is why It would be nice to hear from others that understand me because people that don't gamble just do not understand. Thanks 🙂
Hi Jordan,
First and foremost, welcome to the Forum. You have already made arguably the most important step in admitting you have a problem. Well done, now thats out of the way you can start moving forward. Online slots (and occasionally sports betting) was my downfall aswell. I lost £10k in 2 days after months of gradually upping my stakes. It has cause financial turmoil for me and strained the relationship with the most important people in my life. Don't make my mistake, quit before it gets even worse.
I'm 10 days 'clean' and slowly rebuilding my life after telling my parents. Your partner needs to adopt a tough love approach and only give you money that you need. If your parents don't know then tell them ASAP, it's the best thing i have ever done. The extra support is crucial. Then formulate a plan, go see someone, find a Gamblers annoymous meeting near you, or even better seek some councilling either through Gamcare or go to your local GP.
Last of all, dont make my mistake and bury your hear in the sand because it won't go away. Meet your issues head on, total abistaince is the only way forward. Gambling only a small amount isn't acceptable, because it will gradually become worse. Make not gambling your main priority in life for the meantime and you will succeed. If you have debt you can put your energy into dealing with that aswell as other healthier activities, go to the gym/excercise/find a new hobby.
Your 21 and you have plenty of time to turn this around.
All the best
Liam
Hi Jordan,
I think Liam's post gives excellent advice.
Only thing I can say is get a block on your computer re gambling sites.I've got K9 downloaded (free) and if you choose this one you'll need someone else to set the password. They must not divulge it to you. You can pay to obtain gamblock or betfilter to block these sites.
I've lost thousands over the years on horses/football and roulette. Online gambling is a nightmare.
You are still relatively young so do not let gambling screw your whole life up. Get out while you can before anymore damage is done.
I'm on Day 20 of not gambling. It feels good once the habit is broken. The little bit of money I have left each month is mine now and is not being earmarked for another gambling session.
Take care
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