Hi Guys & Girls,
My story is a bit of a strange one and my plan is different too but I hope some can relate and, at the least, find it interesting.
When I was younger (so much younger than today) I had a real thing for the fruit machines. I played the 2p ones when I was a kid and, as I got older, the stakes increased. Of course I had my ups and downs and lost overall (I think this goes without saying). I enjoyed playing the machines though and the losses never really caused me too much of a problem so I never worried about an addiction or ,indeed, seeking help.
I ended up getting a job within the industry and meeting a couple of professional fruit machine players (such a thing does exist). I learned a lot from then and actually became good friends with a couple. Far from being desparate gamblers, these guys were intelligent, well presented and very calculated. The next two years saw me leave my job and become one of them and, I'll admit, it was a LOT of fun. Days and nights were spent travelling, playing machines, staying in hotels and enjoying the profits. I should point out that we were doing nothing illegal just playing to our advantage.
Fast forward a couple of years and the profit was no longer there, machines became smarter with less loop-holes and programme defects to expolit. However, the gambling bug was there and the desire to return to that "easy money" lifestyle was strong. Working a 9-5 was mundane and never yeilded the same return. Also I felt that, despite my 'inside' knowledge now being defunct, I felt that I could still win of the fruit machines. I played machines whenever I was in the pub and returned to the 'Up, Down, Overall Loss" pattern that we all know.
This wasn't a financial problem but it was certainly the basis of a psychological one. It wasn't long before I started playing online slots and the FOBTs and this is where the problem grew. It was no longer a £50 hit here and there but hundreds and sometimes more at a time on a game I had NO chance of beating.
A year ago I started my own business and have been doing very well. It is actually this that has led me to finally seeking help for my gambling. It is SO disheartening to lose a weeks profits in a single gambling session knowing all the hours I had put in and the amount of work required to recoup the loss. I decided, on a couple of occasions, "no more" and actually went a few weeks without any online slots or FOBTs but, inevitably, I relapsed and on my last visit 5 days ago lost nearly £2k.
This will be an unpopular (and possibly deeply misguided) approach but I have, for the last 10 years, been doing a couple of £5-10 football bets each weekend and plan to continue doing so. I have never increased the stake or chased my betting losses EXCEPT on the FOBTs and online slots. I'm sure this plan may come back to bite me but I reckon, if I can stay away from these two types of gambling then I am happy.
I have self excluded on all-bar-one of my online accounts and put a strict deposit limit on the remaining one (alowing me to have the occasional sports bet). I have resolved to stay out the bookies and, if I feel I am going to relapse, plan to self-exclude from them also. I have a beautiful girlfriend who I plan to propose to over Christmas, a growing business and plenty to look forward to and I don't want to be held back by the gambling monster (to know I lost nearly the price of the engagement ring in one FOBT session makes me feel like a prize t**t).
Anyway, I appreciate everyone who has read this far. This is a superb forum and it's been fascinating to read and relate to so many of your posts. I wish everyone who is recovering the very best of luck and look forward to the success stories board filling up 🙂
Hi, thanks for your story and welcome!
Only you can decide how you want you approach your recovery from gambling but a lot of people would say that even placing a "small" bet keeps you in the realm of gambling, whether online or the bookies. I say that because I did the same myself, just one account with a small limit - but limits can be raised pretty easily and meant I still had the "taste" for gambling. I did it because I couldn't quite give it entirely, I needed a little way back just in case but I realised the best way is to avoid it all together.
I'm not trying to lecture you, just give you the benefit of my bitter experiences!
I didnt think Id ever end up ever posting but your post has struck a chord with me OP.....in that you actually had a winning system which provided you with an income at some point....except mine was not a system but a betting loophole (which I might add does NOT amount to gambling in any sense and is still used by scores of) which provided me with an income stream (although modest but enough) for a time. I'll eventually write my full and complicated story (it is unlike any other on here). However my world has come crashing down......due to mine stupidity selfishness and greedniness. Anyway dont mean to overtake your thread. Good Luck with your recovery.
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