So I’ve found myself here after being in major denial for a while now. I started placing 10p bets on live games like monopoly a few years ago and to be honest was completely in control for a while.Â
I’ve always been bad with money and my situation got much worse when I found myself unemployed for most of last year. I started betting a little more, as when I was winning it was helping me live the life I was used to. Fast forward to me having a full time job again, it’s in a completely different field to what I did before and the salary is a lot less. I love my job but my outgoings (due to debt accumulated over many years) are more than my salary.Â
I continued to bet and had a big win a few months back, that’s where it all went wrong. I’d won £2,500 from a 60p bet and figured the more I bet the more I would win. THIS COULD NOT BE MORE WRONG!!!
I spent all the money I had to try and win, I borrowed money to try and win back the money I’d lost. I lied to all of the people closest to me to borrow more money to try to win money to pay back the money I already owed. It was crazy. Mainly crazy because my main addiction was a game called crazy time.Â
This month saw me hit a new low. I got paid on Friday and had blown every penny on gambling by Sunday morning. I hadn’t paid my rent, money owed to family, money owed to friends, loans nothing!Â
I realised I had to tell somebody, so after spending most of Sunday and all day Monday crying I finally told my dad. He was disgusted, I’ve never felt so ashamed or embarrassed. I’m very lucky that he is now taking control of my finances immediately and helping me with a plan to pay everything back, but the ordeal of telling him everything was so difficult. The amount of times I’ve lied to him over the past few months is awful. I’ve never been a lier, I pride myself on that... or used to.Â
I feel relief tonight that I have told him everything now, I’ve handed over control of my bank account and have put blocks in place so that I can’t be tempted if I did manage to get money from somewhere.Â
I feel pretty confident at the moment that I won’t go back but my fall to rock bottom was really quick so I don’t trust my judgement.Â
My main focus now is to get myself straight, debt free and to rebuild my dads trust... it’s going to take a long time but I got myself into this situation. I’ve got to get myself out!Â
Hi Crazy
I'm a little surprised nobody has responded to your post yet as a lot of the regulars on here in addition to the moderators are so supportive.
Anyway..........I'm a very rare poster but your story struck a cord with me so thought I'd respond. Live Game Shows are my poison with Monopoly, Crazy Time and Adventures in Wonderland being particularly addictive.Â
In the first instance well done for sharing your story on here and also for coming clean to your dad. It must have been very difficult but with someone sharing your problem and more importantly controlling your finances it will get better.
I am sure you will have read other people's stories both on here and elsewhere; and some will declare instant and infinite abstention from gambling but others, probably the majority will describe it as a hard slog with the occasional relapse. I am in the latter category and in a position where I once again need to inform my gorgeous, loving, supportive wife that I've relapsed and for the last few years have been living a secret life.
My advice for you would be to use as many of the tools that are out there to block gambling whether that be GamBan or asking your bank to reject all transactions with gambling institutions.
We are all different and only you know whether you can trust yourself going forward to not gamble but sharing with a partner, trusted family member or friend for me is the way forward. I so regret not giving my wife access to my finances and will pay for that in more ways than one.
Stay strong, keep posting and remain gamble free.
JÂ
Hi, welcome to the forum. Reading your post there are some great positive steps you have already taken. You realised you have a problem, told your Dad which was a big deal, handed over your finances, got some blockers in place and want to stop. All these are great things to get you back on track
You are on day 3 so it will be hard to begin with, but remember we all start at day 1 it's what happens from then that matters. What's done is done, no looking back. Read other peoples stories for anything that might help. For me, I contacted Gamcare who organised some counselling which was really helpful. Gamcare are amazing and so good at evaluating your own situation. You just need to find something that works for you but even if your Dad was disappointed in you he still wants to help.
Good luck and keep posting
Thank you for your support. It’s good to come here and know there are other people that have been through similar!Â
thanks againÂ
Hi Jumble,
Thank you for replying and your supportive words. At the moment I really don’t think I know how difficult it’s going to be, since I admitted my problem I’ve been immersed in sorting out debts and life going forward so haven’t really had time to sit and think about gambling too much. Im sure there will be good times and bad, my main concern is wondering if taking away any access to money is fixing the problem or just preventing it for a while.Â
I know I’m very lucky that my family and friends are all being really supportive and I’m sure your wife will be too.Â
thanks again and good luckÂ
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