hi,
This is my second time here. I've been gambling for three months. Stopped for a week and went back. Have spent about twenty thousand pounds. On Monday I called my mum and told her. Because I clearly can't stop on my own ..they have "bailed me out" in terms of lending me the money to pay off credit cards overdrafts etc I know this is not usually advised as I need to feel the consequences of my actions but it's what they've insisted on. I will pay them back. I've spoken to my bank and removed the overdraft facility on my account and they are sending me a new card so that my mother can scratch the three digits off. She has my credit cards. Ive self excluded from some casinos (gosh some of them make that difficult, one put two lots of 50 pounds credit in my account when I asked to be excluded. I was furious and didn't touch it but did vent my spleen in an email to them.) I know the self exclusion thing is only so good as there are always new casinos so the not being able to spend money on line is much safer. And I'm very lucky that my mother is willing to take control as she has. They have access to my current account so they can see what I'm spending so I wouldn't be able to secretly deposit. My gambling has always been online slots and I've never had any desire to walk into a bookies so I think I'm safe there. I am on the waiting list for counselling and have seen my gp yesterday as I'm also very depressed (the gambling was very much an escape from that) telling my parents what I'd done was horrendous but there was no other choice I feel so awful for giving them this stress but it was either come clean or jump off a bridge. Well I can't do the latter as I have a little boy. I am three days gf
Had fleeting urges last night when I had to reopen an account to close it down fully. Even went to the deposit page and looked at it for a few seconds but then self excluded. Knowing that I can't let my parents down or myself or my son. That big win is either never coming or if it does I'll spend it with more on top . And I'll despise myself. I am telling my parents everything about how I'm feeling and what I'm doing. There can be no more secrets and this is my only chance .
Hi Being Present,
Just a quick reply here to welcome you back to the forum, I hope things start to improve for you soon. You mentioned that you're on a waiting list for counselling; is that through your GP or one of our partner agencies? You might be able to get in sooner with one of them if you haven't tried yet, so that's something to look into. Here's a link to our partner's map, and you can see where the closest ones to you might be: http://www.gamcare.org.uk/support-and-counselling/face-face-counselling/find-local-counselling
If you're gambling online, have you also looked into blocking software, like Gamblock or Betfilter? Those are pretty effective for a lot of gamblers, and they might help you as well.
As always, feel free to give us a call if you'd like to chat more about any of this, and we'll be happy to help.
Take care,
Travis
Morning BP , Sorry to welcome you back but at least youv'e made the decision to return and seek further help so credit where it's due .
You know it's not so much about waiting for the big win to come as Letting go of your losses because that's what will always make you want more , nobody likes to admit defeat or give up and accept that a computer is just programmed to win , sure it may give you a win now and again to keep you interested but long term weve no chance of walking away in profit and of course being Cg's we will never walk away in profit because it's not about the money , just the buzz .
It's great that your family knows and that they have supported you the way they have , put all the blocks in place that you can , stop gambling completely and repay their trust in you .
With regards to the offers youv'e recieved from gaming companies despite closing accounts , I think it's absolutely disgusting and would suggest you think about contacting the Gambling Commision as that's got to be in breach of their code of practise ?.
Best wishes for now
Alan
Thank you Alan yes I actually downloaded net nanny but managed to purchase the wrong one (idiot) As I've an iPhone I'm told net nanny is the only one that works? The counselling I'm waiting for is with GamCare thanks admin
Hi Alan, I took your advice and rang the gambling commission. The lady went from sounding extremely bored to very animated when I explained i'd asked for self exclusion and then been offered two lots of free credit over 48 hours. They've asked me to forward the emails which I have so hopefully it'll make a difference.
I know I'm responsible for my gambling but good lord they know how to prey on the vulnerable. A few days earlier and I'd have spent that credit and then deposited more.
Hi BP , good for you !! , You try your best to put blocks in place and it's really not right that they can continue to dangle a carrot in front of us , as you said were all responsible for ourselves but they have a responsibility when we finally want to stop .
I hope you ger at least some feedback regarding your complaint ?
Best wishes and stay safe :))
Thanks Alan. I just tried downloading k9 as it is now available for iOS, excitedly demanded my mother put in a code and it hasn't worked. I can still access gambling sites. Think I'm going to have to splash out and buy the correct net nanny thing. Currently I have one for the MacBook, despite not actually owning a Mac book. However it's going to make me feel a lot safer if I can block them as I need my phone for work.
You could have a word with your Broadband provider as I believe you can have sites blocked or child restrictions put on ?
I've not done it personally but I 've heard it mentioned on here , just a thought :))
Sorry that's not going to help with the phone for work though is it ? Durrrgh !! Sorry I'm a bit old :((
I have unlimited data. Just called vodaphone and I already have blockers in place. Clearly they don't work terribly well!
Thank you for your responses today Alan. I know I'm posting a lot. But I appreciate it. Xx
We cross-posted. I don't need to access adult sites for work lol! But I do need the smart phone aspects of my phone (www and email)
No worries at all , posting on here always helps especially the early days and I'm sure you'll have a few more of the posse calling around for a chat anytime soon .
I hope you get things sorted ( all aspects ) and I'll catch up with you soon .
Be kind to yourself and take it one day at a time :)))
So today I've done more self exclusions. Some have made it so easy whereas others make you jump through hoops. Feel a weird sense of loss at times. Like its my friend (logically I know that's a load of rubbish) I suppose it's the dopamine rush when you do well.
Going out tonight so won't be even vaguely tempted. Still talking constantly to family about how I'm feeling. Have moments of feeling horrendous and other times I'm ok Had some news on my court case today which is what all this was probably about, but didn't get too upset
One day at a time
I'm new to this I've just registered to online counselling, I'm so ashamed of what I've become, I've been gambling for over a year and couldn't even say how much I've lost but I know it's thousands, no one in my family know about my problem, today has hit me as I was 2500 in credit and lost the lot, I'm so scared that I can't stop, I never thought I'd be in this way as my dad is a bad gambler I'm actually scared of what the future holds
Dianeg74
You have the ability to write your own future. What it holds is up to you.
Welcome both
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