Hello All,
I have been gambling since as long as I can remember. I am 21 and have just minutes ago gambled away 600 in a matter of seconds.
I have been working for about four years now and live at home so have next to no expenses. I take home around 1500 a month which is a fairly decent wage, yet after four years I haven't a penny to my name.
Fortunately, I have not amassed any debt so am in a position whereby if I address my problem now, I can get through it relatively unscathed.
I have never spoken to anyone about my gambling problem or really admitted it to myself so I'm just going to let it all out now!
Every payday is the same - get home and straight online to gamble - slots is what I generally play. Within a couple of hours almost all my pay cheque is gone and I feel depressed for a few days until I get over it and wait around for payday again.
For me, now, its not even about the money, winning or losing it - it's all about a dubious attempt to replicate that magical feeling of hitting a big win - getting an amazing bonus and not being satisfied until I get an even bigger one. I've been in situations whereby I start my night off with 3000 - play for about 2 hours and am left with a couple hundred. By some miracle, I managed to hit big and in the end was up about 500 (after being down almost 3 grand). Within about half an hour though it was all gone again. The next day I spend hours think to myself 'how could I be so stupid as to get even and still blow it all.'
I've permanently closed my gaming accounts to about 20, 30 I don't know 50 sites or more, but that really doesn't help - there are just too many sites out there to play on.
I suppose posting on this forum, to me anyway, signals my first real attempt to get help and acknowledge my problem before it's too late and I get in serious financial trouble.
Well, as I've gambled today, I guess tomorrow will be day one for me - I'll try and post or at least check this forum as often as possible and hope this goes someway to helping myself.
If you managed to make it through all this, thank you - I feel better already having shared my problem.
Hi
I know exactly how this feels.
I was in this exact same situation, except for me it then spiralled out of control, I maxed everything i had debt wise, payday loans etc, and worse even.
That feeling after going to nothing, winning it all back and some, then losing it again is the worst feeling in the world.
I have stopped with slots now, as I realise although I had some biggish wins, its impossible to ever really win in the end.
They ruin your life, stop now while you can, you will feel so much better for it.
The problem with blocking sites I found was that you block the ones that aren't dodgy, and end up finding another when you start to crave where they won't pay out or try and mess you around.
I completely understand your position, but honestly stop now while you are in a position of strength. No debt is amazing.
Hi trewtrew
Welcome to the forum.
Well done on recognising the problem with your gambling and for seeking advice. You will find a lot of support here and a community of people who understand your struggle with gambling please keep reading and posting on the forum.
Your gambling has escalated and you feel as if gambling has taken over your life. You have already taken steps to restrict your gambling, you could also think about installing software onto the devices you use which will block your access to online gambling sites. Some of our forum users have also described additional ways they try to limit their freedom to gamble online, by arranging their finances in ways that slow down how quickly they can access their money, or limiting their ability to spend money online. You might read forum posts here where members talk about changing their bank account to remove the facility to spend online, instead using a basic cash card that allows you to withdraw cash on the high street.
I would also encourage you to call our helpline and talk things through with a GamCare adviser on 0808 8020 133 or on our netline. The advisers can provide emotional support and helpful information as well as facilitate a referral to free one to one counselling appointments if you’d like to access that service.
Best wishes
Rachel.
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