Hi all. My names Mark and I have a problem with slot machines. Online mainly. Grew up around gambling. Mainly slots and horse racing. Went through a bad patch in my teens but sorted myself out when my ex partner got pregnant. Over the last couple of years since the split I’ve found myself bored and more and more frequently playing online slots. With all the offers advertised on tv and online it’s so easy to get sucked in. I’ve banned myself from a fair few but after I’ve lost a fair bit of cash and there are so many more. I generally start off sensible but if the games are enjoyable I’ll deposit more and more until I’ve gone too far. What do I do?
Hi Mark. What do you do? Accept the money is gone. Download blocking software. Cancel your credit card, when new one comes remove the 3 digits on the back. Go to GA, call gamcare. Get someone to manage your money. Find something else to do. There are many resources and help is there for the taking. But you have to want to stop. No one else can do it for you. If you continue the debt will get bigger. Call gamcare.
Hi Mark and welcome.
What you do is exercises in facing it and focusing to start off with. Sit and write down your losses to the penny if possible over recent days or weeks. Write those figures down and look at them closely. That is what gambling has done to you. It is a mugs game...a tax on the poor and a game of chance so heavily stacked against you especially on the slots. we will talk about the real odds on the slots later.
Next there is no shame in telling someone close. It makes you a better man than one who continues to hide it away. Realising you need real help is a large part of recovering. Do the exercise of explaining a gambling session and how much you are depositing to someone close.
You build strength though discussing it and a new pride. You start to discuss blocks and help with blocks. If you are likely to find new places/sites then you have to remove access to cash and gadgets as well as extended blocks.
An early stage with many gamblers including me is being half hearted in fighting it. You need to be ready for a born again moment to fight it head on. When you are ready you will feel a great sense of relief that you are getting help.
Are you ready to stop because your gadgets will have to be monitored for gambling activity and blocked with software. You also need to learn about the addiction which is a mind control style illness
Look at it this way...you have allowed these gambling dens into your home. They are not your friends and they want your money and they want it fast. The point we all gloss over is they are taking up to 25% of the take over time no matter what happens. You are not though and I dont need to remind you of the times we put hundreds in and nothing really came out.
There is a journey in recovery but the first step of a real born again moment is what you are seeking...not a half hearted I will handle it because the addiction now controls you and isnt giving up easily.
You will learn that gambling is not the answer to what you seek. Being gamble free is a much better feeling of control in life.
Best wishes from everyone on the forum
Joyduvider I would like to thank you greatly for your comment. It relates to me and how I think quite well and I shall ponder my next move based on this. I hope to regain some control and get help. I will choose someone to discuss this problem with and hopefully see my way through the fog which is gambling.
Hello Mark, I was sorry to read your story and wish you all the best in your recovery proccess.
With regards to Joydividers excellent post, I don't subscribe to the comment that gambling is a tax on the poor.
Gambling doesn't discriminate!
To quote one ex footballed who lost heavily said 'gambling is a disease' and can affect all sections of society!
The best to you with your recovery Mark.
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