Hello, I’m Chris and I’m a compulsive gambler. All started 9 years ago when I was 16 playing fruit machines, escalated from there putting my weekly wages into the fruit machines at work when out drinking etc. I was a heavy drinker in my late teens early 20s, binging for days on end. never saw gambling as a problem then as I didn’t really care, I paid my rent and had no debt, I was just loving life. Then I got a new job thought new me new start I didn’t gamble for a while prior to this new job when I started the people I worked with all gambled, I was introduced to the casino and FOBT's, instead of losing maybe 100 at worst on a fruit machine that could take me hrs to lose, I was losing £400 a time in the casino and FOBT's. I’ve always been good with money, looking for the best deals to save money, always put money away, but I seemed to take money back out and gamble it away. I to start taking medication due to a health scare, from that day I never gambled or drank for about 6months, didn’t cross my mind. Then the scare was over, and I just went back into old habits, all the money I saved when I was off I spent and more, first time in my life I got in debt. I owed money to a few friends and family. I had a lucky win that week payed my debts off and thought that’s it, as you all know that’s not the end of it, never seem to stop after a high, so over another year went by still doing the same thing. 2 days ago, I had a win trading stocks a few 100 about 5 days ago, thinking I can do this. Then two days ago I lost £700 on a FOBT, I remember the guy behind the desk shaking his head as he watched me lose spin after spin, that was it I walked out so embarrassed, never have I felt like that in my life, that was it i had enough, I said to myself I am a compulsive gambler (something I’ve never admitted) I have no debt, but I know that if I don’t nip it in the bud now then I will have nothing. It’s not about the money, I don’t care about the 5 figures I’ve lost and what I could of done, its done its gone they can have it. I just never want to feel that low and embarrassed ever again.
I was in denial for years, telling myself I can stop and not stopping, telling myself I’ve not got a problem as I don’t gamble every day and that I got no debt, the fact is you don’t have to gamble every day for it to be a problem, I’m a binge gambler and I know that if I don’t stop right now then It will get worse and worse. I don’t want that. Thanks for reading my story.
Hello betnomore,
It's good you've highlighted that you have a problem before you got yourself in debt. It's best to let the money go you'll dig yourself a hole trying to recover it.
Have you given any thoughts to counselling or GA meetings? I found the support from the 1-2-1 sessions amazing and would recommend it to anybody.
All the best.
Conradnose
Definitely, i want to live a better live without this guilt hanging iver my head. Joining this was a first step. Going to see how it goes and go from there. Thankyou for your reply
Get to your nearest GA meeting, recovery is an ongoing battle but your life will change for the better once you stay gamble free. Good luck with it
Hi Chris I've just read your story mate. Me too had a massive problem with these fobts. One time I had lost 900 pound in about 15 mins. £100 spins. There like the crack C*****e of gambling, once you have a massive win on see your hooked. These machines are made specifically to get you hooked on them and to play with your mind and land next door to all your big numbers and give you enough back to keep you interested so you hand over your hard earned money. Do not let these beat you!! f**k them. Say to yourself that's enough. Stop Chris it will be the best thing you ever do mate. I wish you all the best and keep at it keep strong and remember every day we do not gamble is a win. Take care and all the best
Thankyou Shaunlad1 totally understand where your coming from nearly 2 grand in the past couple months. I remember once in a casino winning ВЈ2500 from £20 and losing it all in under 10minutes. Couldnt even afford a taxi home. Once your in that zone thats it. Well done for your 70+ days gamble free
Thank you very much mate. It's the longest I've been without a bet lol. Keep it up your self you'll slowly start to feel better and more possitive . If you get any urges to gamble just remember the bad points outweigh all the good points and remember that time in the casino next time you think about having a bet. Good luck 🙂
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