Hi
I’ve found myself here a few times but never actually got as far as posting until today.
Ive always gambled. Not much but just always have. I lived by arcades. My dad plays poker (as do I occasionally), I regularly bet on horses and lastly like most here - I get sucked into slots too often.
I can safely say I actually have no problem with poker or horses. Poker is a social thing with friends and the horses is genuinely a little hobby I share with friends for very low stakes I can afford to lose.
My problem is slots. I’ve had what I’ll call moments probably half a dozen times where I spend far too much and just hate myself for it. I couldn’t recall all of it here as none have been for a while until today. Today I signed up to a new casino and lost £800. I’m gutted. I’ve just moved house with my girlfriend (who hates me gambling) and that money would have gone a long way to helping us get things sorted.
I just need some accountability. I can’t tell my partner. She will probably leave. But I want to not do that again - ever - and I really need somewhere I can talk should I need it.
Ive been very close to installing gamban before but have always stopped myself due to poker and sports betting. As these genuinely aren’t problems for me and I still positively enjoy these - I don’t want to block everything. I’ve blocked myself from all but sports betting with my bookie of choice so it’s not a temptation that leads from one to the other
if anyone has any other suggestions im all ears
thanks folks
Hello MGS,
You post that "I really need somewhere to talk"... as well as posting here on our forum and joining the live chatrooms, you are also welcome to talk with us on our freephone 0808 8020 133 and netline.
You are posing your dilemma that that you don't want to stop gambling but you do want to stop overspending on slots. Consequently you don't want to self-exclude or use blocking software. Also you don't want to tell your partner. Many of our forum members are aiming to stop gambling completely, so the suggestions they often share are intended as ways to support abstinence, whereas you are asking for ideas on supporting controlled gambling.
How might you feel about creating transparency around your spending, allowing someone close to you to monitor your banking and spending on gambling, in case that might inhibit overspending or at least result in a conversation about incidents of overspending, creating a bit more accountability and reflection on triggers and risk factors and ways of reducing risk and harm. Other ideas could include setting deposit limits on your gambling accounts, and scheduling your time with other activities. Please call us on 0808 8020 133 if you'd like to talk.
Take care,
Forum admin.
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