Not sure if creating topic is the way forward. This is my first time of signing up to Gamcare.
I’ve been battling with gambling since I was 18 years. First big loss was at 19 losing my whole life savings at the time £2500.
Years went on and this happened numerous of times more with the most being £4000 in a hour, betting on all sorts, random football matches on b****5, roulette, blackjack. Biggest losses I’ve had within 2 hours were £2500 twice, £4000, £2750, £3000, £5250 all of these chasing losses and over the course of started gambling.
Since that time I signed up to 2 websites and banned myself from that after 2 weeks being £2000 down and it was only in Dec 2024 I had that urge again.. even though I’ve never won majorly I always seem to chasing losses, everytime. Anyway I’m now another £5000 down from today!
I chased and chased and chased. I can never stop myself, I always tell myself I can’t afford to do this or that then happily waste £1000s on gambling within minutes! Then get so angry with myself.
I’ve lied through gambling, I’ve had broken relationships because of it, I’ve had therapy, I become so selfish when this happens to me. I just want to break out of it!
Luckily I’m not in debt, I have a mortgage and an okay job so eventually I’ll recoup the losses but I really need to knock this on the head once and for all! So this is a little diary to myself of when I’ve finally stopped! Starting from tomorrow (ans I’ve done the last of my money today) and start the journey from here.
apologies if ive not posted in the correct part, i just thought id share my story being a newbie
Also feels good to get this of my chest of the most recent loss I haven’t told anybody.
So easily done, I’m in the same boat as you we gotta be stronger and stop that urge, not let are minds be are enemy, I never even won big but didn’t stop. We can do this
I lost 1200£ yesterday im completely depressed too so i reading the posts here ...If you cant control don't play anymore becuz even if you won you gonna put it back
You should go to doctor get help
WhatI would say is if you're doing in 3-5K a day punting this is on the extreme end of the spectrum and is likely going to need professional advice
The first day is not the most difficult most people have good intentions of stopping after a heavy session
The issues come when you're on day 60 or day 90 and your bored
@287hzyl0pq it’s not 3-5k a day. Ive always gambled since being 18 but they were just my big losses since starting. I managed a year off it all until that dreaded thought comes along “just £50” then get stuck in that rut again
You would think the first loss would be enough and I wish it was but I always seem to manage to carry on with this god awful habit.
Certainly need to find a hobby to pass the time for sure! Day 1 as of today though
@w4so0mfvrp I’m with you Steveo. I’m literally always waiting for payday not so I can just lose it all but to save it all back and when it comes around to it I can only save a very small amount towards them losses, it all just takes so much time to get that back.
In my head I’m always thinking it’s just 1 big win to get it all back but now speaking openly about it my thought process has changed and waiting for that 1 big win could really turn your world upside down.
Done with losses now, let them have it but don’t give them anymore. Enough is enough.
@czwypqlfo2 don’t fight the urge to get it back mate. I know how hard that is but I can spiral out of control in minutes removed link it’s when the chasing happens and you lose all concept of what is actually happening until you are at £0. Luckily money is regenerative, we’ll get it back another way eventually how ever long it takes.
Hopefully £1200 is a lesson to you that you’ll never do it again and if you look at like that in hindsight £1200 to be gamble free for the rest of your life is a good deal. We got this
@czwypqlfo2 don’t fight the urge to get it back mate. I know how hard that is but I can spiral out of control in minutes/hours.. it’s when the chasing happens and you lose all concept of what is actually happening until you are at £0. Luckily money is regenerative, we’ll get it back another way eventually how ever long it takes.
Hopefully £1200 is a lesson to you that you’ll never do it again and if you look at like that in hindsight £1200 to be gamble free for the rest of your life is a good deal. We got this
Ryan.
I've gambled over £250,000 in 10 years. It started purely by chance. I walked into a high street shop and won £-- after playing only £20. From that moment I was hooked. I had a well paid job & never went into debt but the quality of my life would have been better. I stopped for a year. It was really tough but I did it. The urge stopped but then I did something really stupid. You see being a gambler in Recovery is the same as being an alcoholic. You never never kid yourself it's beaten. I was drunk and decided to play £50 in a bookmaker on slots. Slots have always been the issue but its the same for any type of bet. That was it. Back on it again. Now I'm battling the urge again after a dry spell. I just wanted to say from my experience what it's like. When you get the urge try to resist. It passes. Remember you will make up all manner of excuses to continue - like " its my last time" There's no such thing as being on a lucky streak. It's chance and it won't continue. Limit your access to money - leave cards/cash at home. Impose a ban through gamcare. It wont stop daytime gambling but will stop those middle of the night urges. Be aware that off shore casinos not covered by gamcare are usually scammy. The need to chase losses/ increase bets will balloon out of control. If you don't get control over it you will lose a lot of money like I have. Ryan you'll likely relapse. I have. Many times but dust yourself down and try again. I've been at it for 10 years. It's under my skin. It's likely harder for me. Don't become me mate. Looking back years from now having wasted hundreds of thousands of pounds. Good luck. Be strong.
WhatI would say is if you're doing in 3-5K a day punting this is on the extreme end of the spectrum and is likely going to need professional advice
The first day is not the most difficult most people have good intentions of stopping after a heavy session
The issues come when you're on day 60 or day 90 and your bored
You're absolutely right. We've all been in that situation where the last bit of moneys gone. The hot sweat. Realisation how stupid it is. Never again. Until the urge comes again. Rinse and repeat.
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