Hi everyone!! Just joined with the site. I'm trying to help my partner quit gambling after he admitted how big of a problem his gambling was getting. For the last 6 months he's left us with no money due to losing it all on online sites. I've had to borrow money from family and friends and even taken out payday loans to cover the bills, keep the roof over our heads and to feed my children. He was doing quite well these past 3 weeks and payday comes about and he's blitzed the lot again and left us in more debt. I'm really struggling with this now as all the debt is in my name not his, and I can't see a way out, he doesn't want to get counciling and thinks he can do this by himself. I have told him that he needs to get help as we can't go on like this every month. I've tried to get a debt consolidation loan to pay off the debts but I just keep getting refused. How have other people managed to get out of gambling debts, if they are being refused consolidation loans.Â
I am not an expert but if he has damaged your credit to the point where they wont give you any more and you can't pay the existing debt , you will need to start looking at insolvencyÂ
I would contact an insolvency practitioner quickly to see where you standÂ
Hi, sorry to hear about your situation. Firstly I would say you need to stop him having any access to money by taking control of accounts and cards. If he won't do this then he needs to see that you will no longer put up with his gambling. Many people, myself included, carried on thinking we could manage, chasing losses whilst getting deeper in debt. He needs to open his eyes and see what damage he is causing. Sorry if this sounds harsh but it's the reality of a compulsive gambler.
Regarding the debts, DO NOT take out any more loans to help him out as this only seems to be feeding his addiction. The previous poster mentions insolvency but I would recommend contacting Stepchange, the debt charity recommended by Gamcare. They are amazing and will work with you to set up a manageable repayment plan where you only pay what you can afford. I have been with them for nearly 2 years now and it deifinitely takes the pressure off paying my debts.
As a compulsive gambler he needs to want to stop, forget the shame and embarrasment, and get all the help he can. Contact a Gamcare advisor would will talk you through the best way to start recovery. There are many stories of success on here but there is no magic wand, it takes time to come to terms with what we have done and accept that whats lost is gone and move forward.
Hope this helps, all the best
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