Hi all, been a while since I last posted.
I lost a lot of money when I was 18 from online casino gambling, and again lost lots of money last year on sports gambling when I was 21. I have been very good with keeping far away from gambling since then, only with the occasional small bet which wasn't worth anything much.
The World Cup has been a huge trigger for me. For the group stages I was largely successful, but tonight brought me close to a loss I really couldn't afford in the grand scheme of things. I only stood to lose £62, but that was £62 I didn't really have to be bettting. I bet on Belgium to beat Japan which seemed a dead certain result. For anyone who didn't watch, Japan went 2-0 up and I as quickly watching my overdraft money slip away. Belgium won 3-2, with the final goal coming in quite literally the final seconds of the game. The last kick won them the game, and my money. I lost several other bets on scorers I thought were likely to score, but managed to come away with only a 64p loss. I wathatched that game thinking how stupid I had been to put a notable amount of money on this game, given there have been a lot of upsets with teams like Spain and Germany. I said to myself that if I by some miracle managed to come away with my money, I would post on here seeking help and also warning others how dangerous it is betting on this unpredictable World Cup. I be £100 on Belgium to beat Tunisia the other week. Again, I won that bet but I was betting money I didn't have to bet. And this is where I can see my problem is rearing its head again.
I just haven't been able to resist betting on this World Cup. I feel I know a lot about football so can always put on quite well educated bets, but I always forget how unpredictable the game is and it's not simply a case of logic and odds. I have had quite a few wins, and quite a few losses over the tournament. I think I'm sitting at around -£10 overall which I count my lucky stars for. But I worry that once I am past the shock of somehow coming away with my money tonight I'll place another bet when I'm feeling confident again.
Is anyone else struggling with the World Cup triggering them?
Looking forward to hearing from anyone. Thanks.
Hi, I know exactly how you feel! The past week or so I have won a lot of money by betting on the world cup and by playing blackjack. I had won 5 times my monthly wage and like always I thought I had it under control! However the other night I stupidly lost a grand playing blackjack. I then decided to put a grand on England to win tonight and said to myself that if England do win, I will withdraw and self exclude and use all my winnings to buy a car and enable me to leave the job I hate! The minute Columbia scored the last minute equaliser, bearing in mind England should have had a 2nd penalty and Columbia should have been down to 10 men, I lost my mind and deposited all my winnings from the past week to gamble on 1 hand of blackjack. I lost! All winnings gone! I honestly believe had England won I would have withdrawn and spent my winnings productively! I now feel suicidal and as it happens, I have self excluded now anyway, only with nothing! I was so happy this past week due to my winnings and was actually becoming optimistic about the future with a car and some savings! I must be one of very few English people who wasn't interested in the penalty shootout as I was so fed up and my mind elsewhere! I also had a cashout option of £1550 which I was so close to using!
Hi indigosky
Gambling addiction is like a slow burning candle. You might think your only losing pocket change at the start, but eventually you will bet bigger... Just once. Win or lose you will have broken a glass ceiling that can't be repaired. Small wins just will not do it for you any more- huge wins are far rarer than huge losses.
I don't know how much you've lost previously, but I can promise you this amount will end up looking miniscule compared to where this can and most likely will take you.
Take my advice, close every account you have (If not done already) try gamstop to exclude online from multiple operators. It's got to be better than closing one after another after yet more losses.
I'd even recommend self exclusion from local bookmakers as you can bet on sports there as well.
Do not take a casual approach to this. The fact that you are still betting despite previous experiences should be setting off alarm bells.
Does anyone else know about this? Betting advertising is breeding a generation of young people who cannot dissociate the event without 'getting involved'. It's a trick, it's playing on competitive urges and most people wildly exaggerate there chances of winning.
You are young enough to end the cycle without any long term damage. All bookmakers will never tell you the damage this will do to your credit rating and overall health. Do yourself a favour and walk away.
Good luck
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