Hi all,
Have just turned 28, been gambling almost 10 years and like most of us I am tired of it.
I find myself repeating the same routine, would be ok for 5/6 weeks with everything under control and then I will have a really bad 2/3 days out of nowhere, just had the worst run lost 10 out of 11 bets which resulted in me losing £200 in 2 days.
I kept track of my gambling from 26/11/17 - 25/11/18 and I lost £1300 , £25 a week . Not a lot to some but it is £100 a month I don't want to waste anymore on this addiction.
I started my first diary on here last November and I managed to stay gamble free until the Grand National in April, 21 weeks. That is the longest I have ever managed without a bet and it was great, no stress, it didnt take over my life. I actually won the bet I placed on the national, cant remember exactly but I had £10 on 12/1 I think. Was a good start after a long break but like always, the money has ended up back in the bookies pocket.
I have spoken with my bank Natwest on a number of occasions over the years to try and block my gambling transactions but they cant do anything so have decided to join Monzo, got my card today. Monzo can block gambling transactions, I will still have my Natwest account but have thrown away my card so I cannot use it.
With Monzo blocking transacations I now have no way of playing online which is all I do, walking into a bookies is something I have hardly ever done and doesnt appeal to me. It has been online which has been my problem, far too easy to get carried away, click of a button and you are throwing your money away, too easy with too many temptations.
I start my diary today again and will update daily, aiming to go 365 days withouth a bet, will be tough for sure but completing 5 months last time I know it can be done. I will put away £25 cash every Saturday instead of gambling it all away. I put money aside every week last diary and seeing the cash grow kept me motivated to keep it up and not give in.
I look forward again to no stress and being able to focus on myself rather then letting this horrible addiction take over me.
Hey CM.
Good to see you back here trying to beat this horrible addiction.
My story is pretty much bang on the same as yours. I'm very much a binge gambler. A session can last a few days to a few weeks, depending on success but ultimately it always ended the same way.
I'm 28 too and have been sports betting online since I was 18. Not massive amounts at a time but it all adds up. I've recently started using a credit card to make deposits which is something I've never done before, and although I have been here twice before to try and quit, this time I knew things were getting bad.
Have you signed up to gamstop yet? That will self excluded you from most uk bookmakers.
Its a good call about switching banks too. If only all banks and building societies had the ability to block gambling transactions!
Anyways I wish you the best of luck mate and I look forward to seeing the GF days tally up.
Cheers
RA
Day 2
Thanks RA,
Was still in the habit last night of checking odds in play but not being able to bet any longer online is helping massively.
Like I mentioned in my first post I hardly ever go into a high street bookies, last time was over a year ago now. All the damage I do is online, click of a few buttons and before I know it have deposited £50/60, its just too easy.
Looking forward to the days building up and focusing on other things, its not only the money I lose but also the time that I hate wasting on this addiction.
Day 3
First Saturday Since April I have not placed my £10 accumulator. Kept busy and didnt think about it as much as I thought I would. Just need to keep telling myself I can still enjoy the football without gambling.
Day 4
Currently in the gym, one of my favourite ways to keep busy especially whilst I am trying to stay clear of this addiction.
Busy day of football ahead so thoughts of a little bet are still there but wont do it.
Will just watch the Arsenal Spurs match without worrying about winning/losing any of my money and just hope for a reds win 🙂
Day 5
Managed to watch the North London Derby without many thoughts of gambling. Felt good only having to stress about the result and not losing any of my money. Was a good win in the end 🙂 .
Lots of football this month so I am sure temptations will still pop up now and again but now that It is not possible to gamble online I feel much better.
It begs the question as to why cant all banks block gambling transactions? The amount of people becoming addicted is increasing and more needs to be done overall to help people control it
Have you signed up for GamStop? It’s the best thing I ever did. Put paid to any thoughts of gambling online. The urges remain, but knowing that I cannot possibly deposit and gamble online is a massive weight off my shoulders.
I know that you use Monzo and that’s great but it might be worthwhile to sign up for GamStop too.
Hi ,
No havent signed up to Gamstop. What exactly is it? When I try search online only comes up with ‘Gamestop’
To be honest Monzo blocking gambling transactions is all I need, giving me no access to online gambling is what I have been crying out for the last few years and now I finally have no way of gambling.
Day 6
Feel good, no urges yesterday. Lots of football over the next few days but wont give in. Now that I have Monzo its a big relief knowing that I cant deposit which is probably why I am thinking about gambling less.
Day 7
Week 1 complete
Its amazing how the feelings and urges go down once you actually cant gamble online.
I have been trying to block gambling transactions for years online and its good see a couple of banks now making this possible.
Watched the Watford vs Man City game with no thoughts of gambling at all Its been a long while since I have been able to watch a game without being glued to my phone checking odds.
Big game tonight , come on Arsenal 🙂
Day 8
Watched the Arsenal game and will admit If I had access to gambling I probably would have had a bet at some point during the game.
Im just glad that I have now blocked the ease of gambling on my phone. I now have to walk into a bookies if I fancy a bet and that just doesnt appeal to me.
Feeling good, my money from payday last week has hardly dropped and I can actually spend my money this Christmas without putting myself through the stress gambling causes.
Day 9
No thoughts of gambling yesterday. Busy day at work then went straight to the gym. Thinking about learning Spanish, If I can spend a couple of hours a day gambling when I do then I have time to spend an hour most days learning a new language.
Day 10
Busy day of football ahead but luckily for me ive also got a busy day to keep my mind off it all.
Not feeling any urges at the moment. Chistmas shopping is more important at the moment not throwing my money away.
Have a good day everyone , Come on Arsenal 🙂
Day 11
Good day yesterday kept myself busy no urges to gamble.
Doing really well! It really does help me to read honest and optimistic accounts like yours. Thanks!
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