I started gambling 20 years i am now 39 . I got into a lot of gambling debt years ago. I started on fruit machines. My biggest downfall was the internet and how easy it is gamble.
The hardest thing for me was closing my accounts with online bookmakers, I always think I am going to get that big win but it never happens.
I now admit i have a gambling problem and i need help before this spirals out of control again. I am seeing a counsellor for the first time this week so hopefully I can get help I need to stop this.
So far I am 13 days free of gambling, does not sound a lot but I am happy to achieved this.
That's my problem I am really struggling to close my accounts online I know I should just do it
Steve. Sounds like you have made some big steps towards living a gambling free life .
Admitting you have a problem and closing down your online accounts. Well done. 13 days gf is a great start. I’m 19 days gf
I knew in my 40 ‘s I had a problem but didn’t do anything about it. Thinking I could handle it. I was a compulsive gambler for the next 20 years.
My advice is stop now and do whatever it takes. You don’t want to be close to retirement and broke and in debt.
It’s time to stop gambling for all of us.
Stay strong
Carol
Hannibal wrote: That's my problem I am really struggling to close my accounts online I know I should just do it
It’s a scary thought at first, giving up the opportunity to gamble online. I was afraid to do it at first, thought I could just control it by myself. I couldn’t though. Joining Gamstop was like a burden being lifted once I’d plucked up the courage to do it.
Hi, I too was like you, scared to block completely thinking I could control it. My gambling got completely out of control and I lost so much money over the years just wasted. I'd have a strong moment and block from as many as I could but there was always another one I could sign up to - usually on pay day. Gamstop was amazing, I really didn't want to do it but after a session - losing £3k in one sitting - I made the move. Signed up for maximum 5yrs. That was nearly 3 months ago and it has been what I needed. It will be a while before I'm out of debt and probably even longer before I stop feeling stupid but I don't even think about trying to find somewhere to gamble online now as I know it'll be blocked. Thankfully I've only ever gambled online and haven't had the urge to go and find a casino or anything. If you haven't already signed up, please consider it.
Has anyone used GamStop to block themselves from online gambling sites and does it work.
Steve911 wrote:
Has anyone used GamStop to block themselves from online gambling sites and does it work.
It works Steve. 100% of the time for me. All UK sites are signed up to it I understand. Whenever the urge strikes it’s there as another hurdle to slow me down.
I have gamban, brilliant, GameStop will be he same
Vin47 wrote:
[quote=Steve911]
Has anyone used GamStop to block themselves from online gambling sites and does it work.
It works Steve. 100% of the time for me. All UK sites are signed up to it I understand. Whenever the urge strikes it’s there as another hurdle to slow me down.
It works Steve. 100% of the time for me. All UK sites are signed up to it I understand. Whenever the urge strikes it’s there as another hurdle to slow me down.
Steve911 wrote:
Has anyone used GamStop to block themselves from online gambling sites and does it work.
Steve,
I reckon I have had more than 100 online accounts - some of those will have been multiple accounts with the same operator (in the days when this was easy) & I gambled heavily online for more than 18 years (and offline for 35+ years). I have had fixed odds accounts, exchange accounts & spread betting accounts.
I self excluded (or "take a break") from some accounts intermittently in the past (normally for 6 months) but could find another account easily enough.
If you really want to quit, and I mean quit for good & not just get you gambling under some sort of short term control then gamstop is absolutely essential in my opinion. I'd go as far to say that those not using it simply aren't serious about their addiction & desire to quit.
It's easy to set up & it works 100% for me
It not only blocks all operators registered with the gambling commission (and this includes huge numbers of offshore operators - Gibralter, Isle of Man etc, etc), it also means you don't get marketing emails or post (some may sneak through but its pretty effective).
It probably doesn't work with some rogue operator set up in Aruba or Kazahstan but then good luck getting paid if you gamble there.
Marypoppins wrote:
I have gamban, brilliant, GameStop will be he same
Marypoppins,
Gamban is an app or blocking software that can fairly easily be circumvented.
Gamstop is not the same. It self excludes you from all GC registered sites for upto 5 years. It's much more difficult to circumvent.
Thanks, I wouldn’t know how to circumvent
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