Help needed please for DRO and gambling

It might be best to call Stepchange about it. I did about my debts and it turned out I can't do anything other than pay them.

I now have arrangements in place for it all.

It's really best to talk to bailiffs before they're at the door in my experience.

Do your best to get clean as gambling wont be seen as a necessity & you have to be in a tight squeeze for debt relief orders. Avoid anyone that says an IVA is the answer as the fees are huge. I narrowly avoided being caught out by this.

We're in around the same amount of debt.

Thankyou for your reply. I did speak to pay plan in December and they told me that I could go for a DRO, I then ended up in hospital and had a premature baby so now looking to sort it out again. I have 2 ccjs so my credit is shot to pieces anyway. I would never be able to pay everyone. Pay plan advised if I tried to pay it all myself it would take me 52 years! My worry is telling them about my gambling as I presume I will need to show statements. Would it be refused due to gambling? Do I tell them about the gambling before I go for the DRO? I can't even afford to pay the balifs, I have little income and have gambled what I have.

Any replies from anyone that has done a DRO greatly recieved

Sorry, but you're looking for answers in the wrong direction. Your problem isn't the money, it's the gambling. Compulsive gambling leads to via unpaid debt to bailiffs.

Forget DROs. All the money in the world won't help you. Try GA, try the helpline, try chat, try barriers.

CW

Thanks! I will also be trying the different avenues to stop gambling. I was just trying to see if anyone had any info about Dros while in a similar position. I need to sort the debt out now so I can't forget about it. I know what gambling has done.

Hi. .
I hear what you're saying about the debts being an horrendous pressure. ...I don't know about dro
So can't help love...
What I do know is if you pick up the phone and call the people you owe money to...and be honest...most will do all they can to help...
Prioritise them..
Rent.
Council tax
Energy companies
Catalogues etc are not in the same bracket...
Bailiffs can be scarey...what debts do they hold...are they certified bailiffs or just debt collectors...they have no real powers. ...do not let your debt pressure lure you back to gambling. ...that big win your hoping for won't come in...mine didn't....keep pushing on..

Hi Had enough now.

I have been through a DRO so can advise that the Citizens Advice Bureau are very helpful to talk to and can set it up for you.

If you have high debts a bankruptcy or DRO is an option depending on the amount. My view is there is no point making yourself ill over debts you can not possibly pay.

The DRO lasts a year as as long as you are on a low income for that year you are discharged at the end of it.

However you must stop gambling because you wont be allowed another one. You need to talk to people with openness and honesty. If your trustee realises you are gambling, that isnt covered in your outgoings allowances. If they dont like the situation you wont be permitted to go on and you wont be discharged

There is some responsibility in a DRO or bankruptcy . Im not trying to worry you though and your mental health takes priority. Get more financial advice from the CAB. You can start again after a DRO but you must stop the gambling right away. You need to focus that gambling will ruin you completely.

Please take the right measures to block your gambling and join us gamble free

Best wishes

Hi, thank you both for your replies. My gambling is always online slots on bingo sites on my mobile. It's the only phone I have. My debit card is the killer although I only have a basic acc with natwest. I would love to be able to block all gambling transactions from my debit card but that doesn't seem to be an option. Your right I'm worried sick and gave major anxiety over debts I will never be able to repay. My anxiety about them is so bad that I'm scared to call pay plan or step change back and go through everything and tell them about all the gambling. I need to do it today really but my anxiety about it all scares me. I'm determined to stop gambling and stay gamble free. It's no life, I'm always skint and although that won't change straight away I know it can do in just months etc! A DRO seems perfect but I'm just so scared to admit to the gambling and list all the debts again, I worry I will get refused. Thank you for your replies.

Hi

Please go and talk with people and get financial advice. Write down your debt and please dont let anxiety overcome you

However you need to be honest and open about this. You must take the steps to stop gambling and things will get better. Are you anxious because the addiction has control and you have secrets?

Is there anybody close you can talk to? There is no shame in admitting to a gambling addiction.

I feel you need more help to stop gambling and then take the financial advice from there. The CAB are very friendly to chat to and you need to talk to someone.

A chat with the doctor is a very good idea as they can offer IAPT counselling which I feel you need

Take care and my best wishes

Im going to call pay plan today as I already listed most of my debts with them so shouldn't have to go through it as much. I'm anxious that I need to sort my debts ASAP and they will refuse the DRO due to gambling transactions, also I guess just dealing with it all is making me nervous.

I have already started putting restrictions in place and will continue to add anymore that I can.

There isn't anybody I can talk to unfortunately. I have been given a number to call for a place near me that offers counciling near me so also need to call them to book seeing someone. What is IAPT counselling?

Thank you Joydivider.

nhs scheme to get people access to group/ talking therapy i think