Advice for a young gambler?

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grundarfjordur
(@grundarfjordur)
Posts: 4
Topic starter
 

Hi, my name is Veguurd. I just wondered if anybody could offer advice to a young gambler. My gambling addiction started with poker, I just had fun and was always very controlled. I always played tournaments because they lasted longer and there was always that potential of a big win. I remember once I had $70 in my 888Poker account and I just wasted it all on slots and roulette. It genuinely took hours, I kept winning up to $200+ and then losing, but then winning back. When I finally lost it all, I figured I didn't like slots, or any casino game for that matter, and just stopped. I have never even touched an online casino since, and that was about 2 years ago. Unfortunately, I didn't have the same reaction to sports betting. That's got me hooked. I don't even play poker anymore, it's just sports betting. I'm in a pretty s**t situation but there's huge light at the end of the tunnel, because I can get out of this, if I just stopped. The hardest thing for me is the fact I've lost £4100. What's even harder, is I was paid today. I was paid £900. £250ish went towards my rent, £40ish towards my phone bill and £200 to repay payday loans I took out - it felt so good when I made payments towards the loans, because now I only owe about £300 more split over the next couple of months. 7 hours ago I had £400ish in my bank and I was planning the month, all excited because my situation finally looks good, there isn't going to be anymore scrapping for cash towards the end of the month. Wrong. I gambled £250. I now have £150 left for the month. I can't gamble this, I could actually live nicely with this £150 if I just didn't gamble. Every video I have watched online to help me with problem gambling has never helped. Reading posts on this forum scare me - £10000+ in debt, family leaving them. I don't want this. I turned 20 not long ago. If I struggled this month and next month would also be a struggle, a projected starting budget of around £250 after repayments, I'd be good, in the clear for the following months due to no payday loans. What's crazy to me is I will go to buy some groceries tomorrow and I will not buy certain things because I feel they're overpriced, but I'm happy to gamble this money. It crazy to me. I just want any advice, whether it's from somebody who is actively gambling and trying to fix their problem or somebody gamble free. Everybody can offer good insight for me. How do I forgot these losses? How do I accept the fact I'll be struggling for the next couple of months financially when I should be clear? Thank so much and apologies if my English isn't brilliant, it is my second language. Thank you incredibly.

 
Posted : 18th March 2019 8:36 pm
(@Anonymous)
Posts: 0
 

There is light and the end of the tunnel. Join GAM STOP which will hopefully restrict access to on-line betting platforms. Start thinking about how great you will feel to actually win against an awful addiction that ruins lives. Truth is we as problem gamblers will always lose. So, give up now, sit tight for a couple of months and thank your lucky stars you don't owe £30,000.

Never have time, money and a place all together.

 
Posted : 18th March 2019 9:34 pm
holycrosser
(@holycrosser)
Posts: 859
 

Please stop the gambling.i see so much of how I think in you.find a distraction in your social life, join Gam Stop I did yesterday, it excludes you from most online bookies, set it for the maximum 5 years, believe me before long you will be tempted to blow the lot, I've had ВЈ5 left per month for food on a ВЈ1900 pm salary.ive lost ВЈ200,000 over the years.ive nothing to leave my kids and I'm in £20k worth of debt.im on last chance street and I will beat this but you must give it up now or end up like me? Good luck

 
Posted : 19th March 2019 4:54 am
(@Anonymous)
Posts: 0
 

Holycrosser is absolutely right and we have both stated a common theme, it’s not if it’s when! Take all the advise and use it wisely. I wish I’d of had this level of knowledge years ago.

We are in similar positions and it’s not nice. However, always time to do good and put as much right as possible. I still blame the government for allowing the problem to spiral out of control. Gambling should never of been allowed on-line nor casino slots in bookmakers!! Criminal absolutely criminal.

 
Posted : 19th March 2019 6:34 am
(@Anonymous)
Posts: 0
 

From past experiences I think you are concentrating far too much on money a quick sift through your post reveals you mainly talking about money, bills and budgets

There’s is very little in there regarding the actual gambling and therefore you are not addressing the most pressing issue

Have you asked yourself why are you gambling ? ask yourself is the gambling worth living a life of uncertainty as you currently are ? , then ask yourself if you are prepared to sacrifice the next 10 , 20 or 30 years of your life to gamble ?

It’s a vicious lifestyle capable of great highs and great lows im lucky over the last 10 years I’ve managed to keep the financial damage respectable but mentally it has definitely taken its toll

 
Posted : 19th March 2019 4:21 pm
L9LC
 L9LC
(@unknown-l)
Posts: 128
 

Hello, I'm also 20 years old, and in £7000 worth of debt. Please stop now. I wish I could turn back time to when I wasn't in debt. It doesn't take long. 1 month, 2, 3 then 5.. next year. You'll only stop when it's too late. Prove me wrong! Setup blocks, find a new hobby.

 
Posted : 19th March 2019 4:29 pm
grundarfjordur
(@grundarfjordur)
Posts: 4
Topic starter
 

nipped wrote:

From past experiences I think you are concentrating far too much on money a quick sift through your post reveals you mainly talking about money, bills and budgets

There’s is very little in there regarding the actual gambling and therefore you are not addressing the most pressing issue

This actually opened my eyes a little more, thank you. I don't even know what I can reply with. The only pattern I notice is my gambling is more of a buzz and enjoyment when I have that £500 spare, but it becomes a more less fun and a more "I've got to make money" attitude when I'm down to the £150ish mark.. thanks for making me realise some things.

 
Posted : 19th March 2019 6:35 pm
(@Anonymous)
Posts: 0
 

Hi mate, i'm also 20 years old and in a situation not too dissimilar to yours. I am no guru but i will offer advice, my last bet was today and before today, it was a month ago, if you'd like to hear my story then feel free to check my bio. I believe what you need to do first of all is download Gamstop, that's the best possible thing to do mate. I found a mishap with the site but im going to fill in the gaps so to say and make sure i can not gamble. Next thing don't keep it to yourself mate, as bad as you may feel about telling others, family, friend(s) or partner if you have one. It feels like a weight off of your chest! Next i'd say dont have your mobile around you too much, i know my issue comes from not being busy and having my phone at work and having a little flutter, then end up chasing losses and getting in a world of trouble. So maybe replace the phone with a fidgit cube or spinner, something to have instead of getting stuck on the phone, works for me 🙂

Listen to others advice on here an craft you're own way to stop through techniques that you feel best! Good luck mate, stay active on here and be proud of every passing day that you manage.

 
Posted : 21st March 2019 4:14 pm

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