To log in or not

I would probably suggest not logging in at this stage - you are clearly aware that temptation could be a problem if you do indeed have points or a bonus.

Also I think you could probably self-exclude without logging in. Their email address must be fairly easy to find and you can give them your details in that so they can find you and exclude you.

Well done for being on day 4 - day 5 tomorrow!

Good advice Ross thank you! I will not log in! Points and bonus are never really that are they!

Indeed they are not - but the language they use does just add to the illusion of winning and being treated like royalty, when in fact they're just robbing us blind!

Well done, stay strong!

It's an odd odd situation with online bookmakers, and it frustrated the hell out of me.

I had signed up to so many, when it came round to closing my accounts, it took a lot of graft and online chatting with them to do so, they are desperate to keep your business for obvious reasons and i resorted to just saying i have no disposable income due to my new family - i was too embarrased to say i was a problem gambler and couldnt be trusted.

Email/phone them, close it down, delete them from your favourites, delete the apps/icons from your phone.

The 1st week is the worst, them it gets easier. I promise

Hi Kitty109,

My name is Adam and I'm a compulsive gambler. My last bet was Sunday 29th April 2012.

Well done for posting and being so honest. I understand how difficult it is to abstain from gambling, and I'll be the first to admit I enjoyed a bet more than most!

I wanted to comment on your thread as your subconscious. The reason you've kept that last website active is the same reason as lots of us. We don't quite want to let go, however much we protest. I'm the first to admit that giving up gambling isn't as exciting as gambling is (as controversial as that may be), but I can guarantee your life will be better without it.

Let's just say you log in, and have a bonus, and win! Would it change your life? Not really. It'll just delay the inevitable, you'll have another bet.

From my own experiences it helps to talk to someone else about it you're close to. A parent, partner, or friend. Get that person to supervise you logging in and cancelling/self excluding from the site. It'll be like a huge weight is lifted. DO NOT DO THIS ON YOUR OWN. If you leave it open and active it'll eat away at you wanting to know if there's a "bonus" waiting for you. We all know the bonus is just there as bait to have another bet, and once you do we all know where that leads.

Just take one day at a time for now, and know that yo're not alone in this struggle to overcome such an addiction.

It's not an easy journey that you face, but I promise you the further you distance yourself from your last bet the stronger you will be. We're all just as close to our next bet. I also recommend GA meetings. I couldn't of quit for this long without them. It's not a religious thing at all just a group of people in the same position as you and often much worse!

Hope my post helped. Best of luck and will look forward to hearing your progress throughout the coming weeks.

Best of luck

Adam 🙂

Adam,

I want to thank you so very much for your post. It made a lot of sense and really helped me find some strength. I took your advice, now all accounts are closed. I feel relief as I don't wonder about it!

Without your words I am not sure I would have closed that account so thank you xx

hi kitty,

i sympaphise with your dilemma, personally i think the bookmakers should be made to offer an easy self exclusion without the humiliation of having to send in an email or letter stating the reasons, I have done this with many bookies and find it so embarrasing having to confess to an unknown what a problem i have.

that said, i'm sure they deal with these requests contents. its just a way for them to make exclusion difficult in all honesty.