“I started gambling in my 30s, at first when I went to see greyhound racing. Then I took a trip to a casino and played roulette. Before I knew it, I was preoccupied with gambling, and I thought nothing of losing £1,000 a night. Then my husband told me we needed to relocate because of his …

“I’ve been a gambler most of my adult life, and I was familiar with GamCare. When I actively decided to seek help I knew I could turn to them. My gambling behaviour became compulsive in my late twenties, and after ten years of suffering I decided to see what help was out there for …

I got so good at lying about gambling, now I help others open up through the Peer Aid programme. You can talk to someone who understands. Call the National Gambling Helpline now for free support, self-exclusion and gambling blocking software.

“I found GamCare through an internet search and at first I contacted them via the NetLine. When I’d just had a big loss for the second time, I started to realise I needed help to stop gambling. I wanted to stop for good, and I felt counselling would be the kind of support I needed.” Tom …

Mark had a successful career in the financial markets before his gambling behaviour began to take a toll. He says: “I got to the point where I started chasing my losses with gambling, and that’s when I really felt everything went downhill. I began stealing from the company I worked for in …

Mark, 52 from Derbyshire

“Contacting GamCare felt a huge step. I had no idea how to start the conversation and I mulled over this for days. Finally, I took the plunge and it was the most important step I could have taken. The Adviser talked to me like an equal and instantly put me at ease. They made me feel that I …