Hi Everyone.
I've been gaining strength for a long time reading these posts.
Thank you.
My gambling started the same as everyone here, small wagers and then it progressed.
My problem is that everytime I come close to paying my debt off, i get the urge to gamble it away. I constantly start over.
I feel that overall my debt is manageable and thank god it hasnt affected the people I love yet.
I just get angry because I don't gamble to win, it becomes like monopoly money and i just fill time when I am bored. There is no actual enjoyment, im just a zombie pressing a self destruct button and I work hard for nothing.
Knowing this doesnt make it easier to quit.
Ive tried blocking software but I am a techie and find my way around things.
I have destroyed all my credit cards except my debit card.
I am planning to take out all available money every month as cash, i am lucky in that i only gamble online.
What really upsets me is the idea that I am funding these casinos and indirectly am causing this pain to others who are in a worse situation.
Gamblers have problems, it is why we gamble.
But we get zero help compared to other addictions from the government.
Alcohol is heavily taxed, cigerette advertising is prohibited. Yet gambling is seen as nothing but a bit of fun and its constantly in your face.
I think about 40% of people who bet truely see it as a bit of fun. The rest are destroying themselves. Some faster than others.
Its hard to help yourself.
There is no easy way to self exclude. There isnt one way of self excluding from all casinos in one go. You have to go to each casino you find and self exclude. There are thousands.
I tried it but ended up gambling along the way. Alot of these sites send you in circles when you try to self exclude.
by mobile its practically impossible.
Delay tactics are right there and yet we are powerless because legislation is so lax.
24 hours is seen as a fast time to cancel an account. 24 hours to a gambler chasing losses is an eternity. As soon as you mention self exclude it should be instant that they block you from gambling, even if it is temporary and they need more answers.
If you are a determined gambler there is always a new parasite open to feed from you.
I just feel like its a bit stacked in favour of the gambling industry. Big business i guess.
Sorry for the rant. Ive been moved to tears reading all this pain people are going through and I wish I could fix it for us all.
But i guess we just have to walk this road together for a while.
Be strong,
K
hi and welcome aboard. I think your pretty much spot on in most of what you say. The odds are stacked against the gambler and they pay lip service to helping problem gamblers. At the end of the day its a buisness, they are out to make money and we are the prey.
As you say practical barriers are only a beginning, they are an aid and not something to be relied upon and at the end of the day if i really want to gamble i will.
The "fix" comes from within and thats a life times journey, one day at a time only. It is not easy. I have done a year 3 times and 2 years once, but ultimately i have then gone on to gamble again with all the usual misery and despair. I keep working at it though.. what is the alternative?
All the best with your journey. Keep posting.
Regards... S.A
Hi S.A
Thank you for your support.
I have just lost £50 whilst trying to exclude as many casinos as possible.
I happened to stumble across an old game I like and thought i'd play for old times sake.
Its very frustrating. There is no easy way to self exclude and I think its disgusting.
Like you say though, it comes from within.
How are you doing?
K 🙂
Am doing fine thanks K.
Ive calmed down from my lastest dance with the devil and am now a month clean once again.
Have you tried betfilter.com. I know your a techie but its perhaps not so easy to get rid of "in the moment".
Keep working towards a gamble free life.
Regards... S.A
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