1 hour in!

Day 279

All good. Hope everyone is doing well.

Stay strong

Russ

Well done mate. I am on day 53. Feel a bit uneasy though, at what points did you feel like you might fall off?

Hello mate,

You've done the hardest part already. I think we will always have urges to gamble again, they just get less and less over time. Remove the opportunity to gamble would be my advice, I still don't trust myself.

Keep it up

Russ

Day 294

Really struggling financially at the minute. I suppose that this is what you get from years and years of financial mismanagement. My only way of paying debt seems to be to get into more debt(Which at least shows that my credit rating has improved). Not sure of the way forward atm, but hopefully something will come up.

Stay strong

Russ

Here I am, back again. Fell off the wagon spectacularly over the past few months. Time to start again.

Once again, all started when I got access to gambling when my phone blocks malfunctioned. Have reinstalled them and am going to give it another go. I must succeed this time.

Day 1.

Day 8

Happy new year.

Day 47

Long way to go again. At least it's a start.

Have just registered with Gamstop, as my weakness is online slots. Sounds too good to be true, they said that I would be self excluded for 5 years from all registered gambling sites in the UK by filling out their registration details. Has anyone got any experience if it works or not?

Anyway, Day 1 for about the 50th time.

Russ

hello Mutton

Well done for taking the step to register with Gamstop. Here's an excerpt from our news story about it:

"Later this year, all gambling websites licensed in Great Britain should be part of this scheme.

"Individuals can sign up at www.gamstop.co.uk – but until all the companies are participating, they should also self-exclude individually from the websites they currently use and others if they are not listed at www.gamstop.co.uk/participating-companies.

You said you would like to know if anyone has any experience of using Gamstop - hopefully other members will be along to offer their views but in the meantime there are a few mentions of Gamstop elsewhere on the forum:

http://www.gamcare.org.uk/forum/gamstop-participants

Whether it's your Day 1 or your Day 1001, keep posting and keep telling us how you're getting on.

Best wishes,

Deirdre
Forum Admin

Thanks Deirdre,

What a fantastic initiative for addicts of online gaming, I wished it had been around years ago!

I have already received confirmation emails from several companies notifying me of my self exclusion. This is the best block that I have seen.

Day 2 of many more.

Hi Russ, I am registered with GAMSTOP. So far only positive things to say. Just wish this was introduced a long time ago! Anyway we have it now so I'm greatful for that at least.

I had self-excluded from so money sites over past few years and lost track. There have been times the past few weeks where I have attempted to set-up some new accounts or access old accounts and GAMSTOP has blocked those attempts. Also had emails about accounts being closed I didn't know were still active.

There will be negative comments about how not all companies are signed up but this is a major help for me personally. I was self-excluded from most of big names anyway. I don't think there will ever be a time when a comulsive gambler has no access to any form of gambling as the devil in us can always find another way but this at least is major progress.

I think where it helps most is in blocking those attempts to set-up new accounts.

Hi Tm,

Yes it is a great initiative. I even got 6p paid back to my account by one site, after self excluding! Like you, I have tried to open other accounts, as a test more than anything else. Every attempt has so far been blocked. Great idea for once.

God bless Gamstop!

I now feel at the point of a massive burden being lifted. There is now no physical way that I can gamble, and as such I never give gambling a thought. I know that sounds strange after all these years but, I am only interested in online casinos and would never go into a bookies(nearest one is 8 miles away anyway). I have blocks on all of my devices, but could usually find a way round that. I even got a mate of mine, with a similar problem to sign up at Gamstop yesterday, a massive achievement for him.

One thing I have taken a particular interest in, especially since the World Cup has started, is the amount of "celebrities" advertising bookmakers sites. Do these people not realise what addictive gambling is doing to this country? Has anybody ever contacted any of these idiots directly to get their thoughts on the matter? I think that it is a disgrace. Has Jeff Stelling etc, not got enough money already, or do they really need to sell themselves to these vultures. Interesting to note that his employer is one of the few that haven't voluntarily signed up to Gamstop, tells you all you need to know really. When the fun stops, stop! Yes righto Jeff, like everyone does!

Anyway, in a much happier place for at least the next 5 years.

Mutton

Thank God for Gamstop.

The single most important thing that has happened to me for many years. I have saved a fortune in the 2 months or so that I have been registered, and am at last starting to notice the difference in my finances and credit rating.

For anyone reading this that hasn't signed up, I would urge you to do so immediately.

Have just reread the whole of my 4 year diary. It takes me back to some dark places indeed.

I can honestly say that I would be living in fear of myself and my actions if I hadn't enrolled in Gamstop. Anyone who happens to read this and is struggling with their own addiction, please sign up. It is the best move that you will ever make. Believe me, I have plenty of experience in the field!

Take care, stay strong.

Mutton