Hi,
I've been a problem gambler all my life. I used to do fruit machines but moved onto online gambling and betting shop terminals.
I know I've gotten a problem and have self-excluded multiple times.
My biggest weakness is having too much to drink. Once every year or so I will get too drunk and spend everything I have. I've been self-excluded from everywhere for a while and managed to save up a fair amount of money (for my tax - it's not mine - but previously I'd have spent this too so _was_ previously proud).
Last week I got drunk, went on to the coral website (I thought I was banned but was able to login), and just spent the lot in, like, 30 minutes.
I've got records of Coral shop self-exclusions (which I was told by the shop, included online). Coral initially told me that there was no record of self-exclusion, so I sent them evidence and they basically said "oh well, we banned you now!". They then told me I was banned from 2018 to 2023. I asked for my money back and they said "oh no, this was with l*******s, not Coral, that you were banned". I found it odd but I think they might be right.
I know I have a problem, I've spoken to gamcare in the past for my self-exclusions and tried to do something about it. Coral appear to not give a s**t - which I get from a business persepective.
Is there anything I can do here? I was contemplating suicide the morning after it happened but luckily swiftly moved past that but I feel like this is really predatory behaviour towards a vulnerable individual.
Hi drunkengambler,
Thanks for sharing your story. I too have been addicted to both bookies and also online slots.
I think you need to realise you probably won’t get your money back and move on. If you dwell too much on it you will start chasing it and lose more.
It sounds like you need to set small goals and carry less cash on you. For your online gambling setup Gamstop for 5 years if you haven’t already.
I’m sorry also you feel you have no way out and suicide is all that’s left. Maybe speak to Gamcare or the samaratins.
You are not alone. We are all here fighting the same battle.
CJ.
Yes mate best tool for online is gamstop I was like you I always found another to go on. Best of luck
drunkengambler wrote:
I've got records of Coral shop self-exclusions (which I was told by the shop, included online).
Is there anything I can do here? I was contemplating suicide the morning after it happened but luckily swiftly moved past that but I feel like this is really predatory behaviour towards a vulnerable individual.
to put it bluntly the answer is no
its your word against theres and to be quite frank the operator wont give two hoots you have blown all your money ....you are merely just another number on a never ending list of degenerate gamblers on their books
the best thing you can do now is forget about the loss and try to concentrate on putting the whole lifestyle and industry behind you
Hi,
I bought Gamblock and it was the best money I ever spent regarding gambling online. I bought it for my laptop and that solved that problem. No way you can gamble online with that.
Stu
Hi drunkengambler. Thanks for reaching out to others. There is lots of help to get your life back on track.
Step by step. Get your head right. No thoughts of self harm. Preservation. Optimism and action. You must put the losses behind you and move on. Easier said than done - but vital.
All the best
I'll definitely install gamblock.
I find it pretty appalling that you can self-exclude etc and there's no recourse.
Thanks for your words
One of the biggest problems for us unfortunate enough to be addicted to gambling is the high street bookmakers. The FOBTs, which essentially are the equivalent to on-line casinos, however, they are fixed!! The exclusion process from high street bookmakers is a shambles !! So, only half the problem has really been addressed by introducing GAMSTOP in respect of on-line exclusion.
The solution is and always has been simple! A membership system where as you have to join to place bets and use machines (in essence controls that already should be in place given the obvious epidemic). The bookmaker should issue a card (once registered), which allows you to gamble. Without it you cannot physically bet. It should link to ALL the operators so you can easily exclude from all betting outlets throughout the country. This meaning when you exclude your card is revoked and you can't get another one!!. It leaves those who want to live gamble free can do so, but offers the same betting facilities to those who wish to gamble.
The truth is the approach to helping us vulnerable problem gamblers has been an absolute shambles !
I wrote to the Gambling Commission in 2015 (January) with the idea for a one stop shop for exclusion. Here we are in 2019 and it's pretty much implemented (having seen a number of delays) in favour of the on-line operators. That's 4 years to get protection for vulnerable people put in place on-line!!
FOBTs are casinos on the high street..... replicating the most addictive casino games and they are programmed to make punters chase loses and encourage addiction to maximise profits.
I have personally stood at these terminals 1000's of times and had my money stolen. Rarely can I say I have won but as an addict I am forever chasing losses when I gamble. I wish I could have registered and excluded from all gambling in 2012 when I raised my hand and said "I don't want to to this anymore". The help available is all about managing the issue yourself !! But why should any of us have to. We didn't ask to be subjected to it and no controls were put in place to manage potential issues. We have been failed by the Government and regulators.
Good news that from April 1st the limit on FOBT roulette reduces to £2. It's just years to late for me personally as the damage is done but great for others who are still being affected.
Had they put the membership controls in place perhaps they could have kept higher stakes for those wanting to play!! But all punters I have spoken to welcome this with open arms. Why not link the machines to a live wheel rather than rinse the most vulnerable people that have been subjected to addiction at the hands of bookmakers in order for their business to maximise profits!
It's a horrible industry and it morally wrong to encourage addiction!!
I feel your pain and all I can say is cut up all cards join GAM STOP exclude from local bookmakers and from April 1st huge losses on FOBTs should be a thing of the past!!
Excellent post julezmc.
With gamblock is it tied to one device? I’ve got laptop, iPad, phone. Need all blocked
Brilliant post julez. The online has been sorted with gamstop but the bookmakers now are the ones behind. I agree with the card system. I still dont think end of the month the fobt 2pound thing will stop people but will help
holycrosser wrote:
With gamblock is it tied to one device? I’ve got laptop, iPad, phone. Need all blocked
Hi holycrosser,
You can download the blocking software gamban on up to three elctronic devices, so phone, tablet and laptop.
With best wishes,
Helen
Forum Admin
They could of had card systems, better controls from the very outset. No responsible person stands putting hundreds of pounds in machines! I was able to put £10,000 in deposits on-line with "Spin It" over a 8 hour binge (that was a car loan). First time I ever went crazy but the first time I had £10,000 in my account. Never believed I would do something so stupid. Question is, should that have even been allowed.
Horrible industry and poorly regulated!!
I could sort it out in no time and keep it fun for people that enjoy it. All it's about is control.
Just something for everyone to think about. Why did they allow roulette and black jack onto what is effectively a slot machine. Why did they allow such high stakes? Why no controls and the staff in shops not interested in dealing with problem gamblers. Personally I have no issue with slots, which is why I find the it poor they used roulette, which is so addictive to make their dirty profits. Roulette (slot) isn't a game of chance it's a game of no chance, and due to its addictive nature should NOT of been allowed to happen. They knew exactly what they were doing!
I raised a case with the UKGC which is ongoing regarding cOrl, LB and Gla. They operate on difference licences yet are one and the same and I questioned the ethics of this. Will post if I ever hear anything back but the last case raised last year resulted in a massive fine(not only my singular complaint) for another well known group in the UK so they will act as necessary. Raise it with the UKGC
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