This post is for anyone who only gambles on the internet on their phone.
Last night I had a relapse and in the middle of the night found myself thinking 'I wish I didn't have access to the internet'
I do not have a laptop so I gamble on my phone. I decided last night that I was just going to get rid of the internet altogether.
It's done by putting restrictions on your phone against apps and safari. You need to get someone else to set the restriction code. Someone who won't give it you if you ask. Then delete and web apps like google. My restrictions are already set so as soon as this post is done I'm removing it. I'll have no internet.
If people ask why I have no internet I'll just say I was spending too much time on it, reading stuff that doesn't matter, watching stupid videos etc. Yes it's a little white lie - it's better than gambling.
I'll have no internet, how will I survive? There will be times I'm stuck without it when I really need it - it's better than gambling.
Stop making excuses x
it's probably an effective block but it wont address your addiction, if you want to gamble, you still find a way, a hotspot, 3g, 4g, coffee shop, library - the internet is everywhere so whilst I can completely understand your point and reason I hope you are taking that step as one of many... just my ramblings anyway, best wishes
Hi Katniss1,
Firstly, I'm sorry to hear you had a relapse; it's a painful experience and I understand, in the desperation and heat of the moment, why you were scrabbling for drastic action.
Which, as you say, it to remove the internet from your phone. But this means, of course, no internet!
You haven't said if you've taken this course of action yet.
Whatever, you have realised you have got to do 'something'. And, you have signed off with "no more excuses" so that's good, too. You're ready to step up and take responsibility.
First things first. Look around these forums to find the gambling blocking software, and apply it to all of your devices (you say you only gamble on your phone).
Ask a loved one or friend to control your finances, if that's possible.
Self-exclude yourself from any land-based establishments (bookies, casinos etc) if they're your poison too.
Phone Gamcare to talk through other options, like counselling.
Be open with loved ones and friends about your addiction, if you feel this is the right time. Sometimes, you need to consider how and when you broach this.
Banning yourself from the internet is an understandable knee-j**k whilst in the immediate aftermath, the intense misery, of a relapse. But, I think you'll need the internet for other things, but it's your call.
But you've got to do something and I would suggest doing something soon, today would be good.
No more excuses - you need to take control.
I wish you all the best,
Mixer
P.S. I've just read compulsivegambler's reply, and, yes, he is exactly right - you could gamble from elsewhere online so make sure you self-exclude yourself from as many online casinos as you can and DONT join any new ones that pop up - ok?
Why dont you cancel your debit card instead. Infact just get rid of all your cards. Natwest has an app that lets you withdraw £125 max in cash a day. Then perhaps you can get a credit card with only a £200 limit if you just want to make small purchases. That would be more effective than getting rid of your Internet.
I signed up for 5 main gambling sites then barred myself from the sites. There a self exclude option on all the gambling sites. There are a lot of online casinos, so the more you sign up to and subsequently bar yourself, self exclude, the less you will be able to gamble. If you don't think you can stop yourself from gambling then you set a deposit limit for the month which makes sure you cannot deposit more than you set the limit to.
deanip wrote:
I signed up for 5 main gambling sites then barred myself from the sites. There a self exclude option on all the gambling sites. There are a lot of online casinos, so the more you sign up to and subsequently bar yourself, self exclude, the less you will be able to gamble. If you don't think you can stop yourself from gambling then you set a deposit limit for the month which makes sure you cannot deposit more than you set the limit to.
The problem is deposit limits can be canged, and if you want to gamble signing up for sites to bar yourself may not be the best idea. There is blocking software available if you want to block sites. I'm lucky i only bet on one site and am barred from it, and haven't needed to bar myself from everything and anything.
I have to agree with dnip the more you bar yourself the less likely hood of doing it again
I'm looking forward to GamBan releasing a phone version of their app. It's impossible to access any gambling on my laptop or computer at the moment (it's impossible to remove too).
However... I have still been gambling on my phone as there is no good blocker for IOS (& I really don't want to faff about with restricting Safari etc - I've done this before and ALREADY found a loophole). I am also looking forward to the Gambling Commissons global self exclusion, it's going to be so so vital.
Does anyone have any tips for the mean time for mobile betting?
Yes so am I looking forward to that
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