Hi everyone, my partner has had a gambling issue for over 7 years, last year he lost in excess of £75,000 in 3 days with online roulette, £55,000 was from the proceeds of the sale of his house 3 years prior and 20k was from a loan he'd taken out in November 2017. He also owed around £2000 on his credit card and took a £5k loan at the start of the year as a last ditch attempt to keep afloat and carry on paying his piling mount of other debts. His total debt currently stands at £23k and he has just £3.05 to his name so has been forced to declare bankrupt, because of his financial struggles he has been forced to move in with a grandparent where he is living currently helping out only with bills as his income is so low. He is self employed and earns an average of just £460 per month. He has suffered with severe depression since the passing of his mother 11 years ago, he has been on and off of precribed antidepressants for the past 11 years, he was also sectioned last year under the mental health act for attempting to take his own life due to the 75k loss in the 3 days. The insolvency practitioner has just been in contact with him, leaving him totally shaken and in tears with fear and worry. He has stated that he is responsible for the gambling debt and will be subject to repaying 45% of his monthly salary for between 3 and 15 years, stating that he would only allow for £30 a week total spending on food, bills and every other life expense with them taking 45% of the remaining amount. He is extremely panicked as he is currently living below the breadline and would not possibly be able to survive on the £30 a week he is allowed. He has also told him that he is writing to the government as to wether they want to prosecute him for taking a £5k loan at the beginning of the year and said that this may result as a criminal offense because it was unlikely that he would have been able to stay afloat and keep on top of it and pay it all back. He has also requested 3 years receipts and expenses and earnings proof, as well as writing to the minicab firm he works for requesting a full log of his entire pda history for the last 3 years (Is that even legal?!). Furthermore he is demanding to know the address of every bookmakers he has gambled in and will request CCTV of each one. He feels as though he is being treated as a criminal and is scared of what may happen and not being able to keep up with the payments for the next possibly 15 years and having further action taken against him. He was told that his depression is not a factor and will not be considered at all as he has not consistently taken his medication over the past 11 years. His mental health is extremely bad at the moment and he keeps saying he has nothing else to live for and I am scared of what he might do with what happened last year. He seems to have learned his lesson on the gambling front and we have submitted a self exclusion from all online gambling establishments for the next 5 years. He knows he has a problem and he has promised to stop and get the help, and the fact that he can no longer get funding is a relief as he will have no means of gambling. I'm just so worried about the insolvency practitioner and what may happen going forward? Is it normal for them to be so ruthless and harsh? Is it really as bad as they have made out, i'm really struggling and finding it so difficult to try and stay strong in this situation and really would appreciate any help or advice that anyone could provide, thank you in advance
Hi I don't know anything about bankruptcy or insolvency practices but I would call stepchange for advise. Also there is national debt helpline, debt camel website or citizen advice bureau.
Hi, bankruptcy’s tend to last between 1/3 years depending on your situation, 15 years is only if you commit fraud whilst in bankruptcy ie taking out loans etc taking out loans during bankruptcy is a criminal offence with a maximum prison sentence of seven years. I think he’s been hit with that much information it’s somehow got all mixed up. It’s normal for them to do background checks to see where the money has gone. And what current assets there is that they can sell to clear some of the debt.
If he’s not very well minded it’s probably best to take him to citizens advice before he commits to anything. If I was you I’d go with him or someone with a stable mind, because there’s other options like a dro or an Iva that are less punishing than bankruptcy and they won’t be as harsh on his wage. But absolutely speak to someone clued up and research everything before committing to anything.
Further more I’d speak to a solicitor and get them to write a letter to said gambling company and asking for information on how affordability checks were not done on your partners gambling accounts, that amount of money should of been flagged up to their fraud department. They have a duty of care and are often fined for not checking.
Hello antoinek, welcome to the GamCare forum.
Sorry you're going through this stressful situation with your partner. We echo other forum members advice to contact agencies such as Stepchange, National Debtline and Payplan for advice on dealing with debt.
If you're looking for ongoing emotional support as the partner of a gambler, we can provide free 1:1 support, and there are also support groups for families, offered by GamAnon. You'd be very welcome to give us a call on our freephone HelpLine 0808 8020 133 or chat to us on the NetLine to get more info and support.
Best wishes
Forum Admin.
im not sure what type of insolvency practitoner you have been speaking to because he sounds more like a private investigator /bully
the bookie cctv footage is an absolutley outrageous request i would of cut all contact with anybody who told me to do that ,
looking at the amounts you have stated in your post it would seem bankruptcy is the only viable option for your partner you dont need an insolvency practioner to go bankrupt it costs £680 and can be paid in installments
i would speak to the citizens advice beauru as soon as possible
Hi
Can I just say to everyone that there is life during and after bankruptcy.
It is the mental health of the (hopefully )ex gambler and their families that is most important here.
A person can only pay back what they can afford after living expenses have been calculated. That may mean nothing or a token payment of a pound a month. That is a fact and the insolvency practitioner will know this. They can not pile pressure on as this amounts to harrassment
I know it can seem easy to say but whats done is done...there is no turning back time. worrying yourself ill will only make it worse.
The answers lie within us. There is a quality of life that shouldnt be ruled by money...again seems easy to say but we are all twisted up trying to fit into an economic system that many now say is a failed experiment.
Stopping gambling is the most important thing. You must  try and stay strong for your partner and not let this worry you too much. Use your thought processes..what can they actually do? There is no shame in admitting to a gambling addiction and the bankruptcy people can not squeeze blood out of a stone.  He wont be treated like a criminal as he has nothing to hide. Taking loans out is not a problem as the loan was granted...thats the lenders problem.
you are searching for a serenity that life goes on and it will make you both realise what is important in life. He cant give up and he needs your support...its a beautiful sunny day today and it does all boil down to that. There is help and people who care about you
Best wishes from everyone on the forum
Step change gave me and wife piece of mind and a realistic but long term plan to pay the money I owe.
Fair enough, bankruptcies can be a better option if you have no property involved, don’t fear it and to be honest is an easy option but not as easy as it used to be.I went bankrupt 13 years ago, best thing I did but I believe the rules on how much they leave you with have tightened up, I wrote off a 6 figure sum and paid £250 a month back for 12 months and I was upfront about the gambling.i did it and owed nothing , wiped clean.you will get a credit line if you need it around 5 years time.just my experience and you go with what you feel.
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