Hi
I believe it is now time for me to come clean and admit I have a problem.
About 3 years a friend of mine started matched betting as a way to making money from free bets, offers etc. Laying (hedging) the bets off I didn't believe that he was making around ВЈ300-ВЈ400 a month sometimes a lot more. He tried to get me on board but I was a disbliever so never did. A few months later he invited me round to show what he did and it all made sense so I jumped on board paid my ВЈ27 membership. About 6 weeks later having signed Up to 18 bookies I was £1100 richer. At no point did i ever feel the urge to gamble I stuck to the rules and I was making money, all from a couple of hundred pounds.
18 months on I was Up to £7000. Would have been more but a mistake cost me. Laying the wrong horse that I backed and the inevitable happened I lost both bets. I vowed to learn from this but still never had the urge to proper 'gamble'
The route on the matched betting eventually takes you down the casino route once a bank is built up.
Again I stuck to the rules and all was ok. Then another mistake cost me several thousands pounds. I was angry that I had made the same mistake. My emotions had taken over my head and I chased my loss. Low and behold I lost all my bank that I had gained from that initial £200.
Mistake 1
This is where I went downhill. I used our savings/ shares to have a bank to use again so I could continue without telling my wife. I started again made a bit of money but it was slow I wasn't patient enough wanted to make money fast so I hit the BJ tables. Made some, lost some then lost the lot again
Mistake 2
I took loans to continue and blew the lot.
Long story short I am now around £50k in debt. Unable pay them back.
I have a decent job as does my wife.
My wife now knows as do my parents and in laws. I am in the process of sorting things out. Financially with stepchange I have a meeting with my parents tonight and have my first telephone session through GamCare tomorrow.
Thanks for reading and apologise for the long post.
Welcome and good for you for coming and sharing your story. Were all here to support eachother and noone will judge. I'm trying to post my story but keep getting errors but I am at my wits end with chasing losses abd gambling winnings and today is the first day of the rest of my life. Good luck mate
Hi Woodsy,
Well done for taking the first step admitting that you have a problem. Its not an easy thing to do. I have been gambling for many years chasing losses and racking up debt.I am now on day 4 of no gambling and its not been easy but you just have to take each day as it comes. You have come to the right place for the help and support that you need. I wish you luck on your journey to a gamble free life.
Thanks for your cooments/Support
Well that is day 1 done no gambling. Have had my first telephone assessment. So hopefully some face to face councelling soon. Debt remedy filled out a few tweaks to talk through with stepchange. Little steps to start.
Little steps and one day at a time. I'm on day 2, sat watching telly now the kids are in bed, having a few drinks and itching to find a site I haven't blocked or signed up to yet but I'm sticking to my guns. We can beat this!
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