Hi there ladies and gents. The name is afro; nice to meet you all 🙂
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First time posting and not really sure where to begin...
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I started gambling when I was about 19 (bingo) and progressively turned to slots throughout my early - mid 20s, then roulette and sports betting. I'm now 32. I joined Gamstop last month after gambling away what was left of my wages, AGAIN. I've had deposit limits but they either never worked or I wasn't disciplined enough and would just go and open up an account elsewhere. I got severely into debt and even entered into insolvency and this still didn't change my habits. Online betting is horrid if you've not got the self control. I guess the same would apply for going into the bookies/arcades too but they've never appealed to me. I've won a couple of jackpots on bingo and cleared some debts but guess I've been chasing the win. Always been 1tg thinking that surely next time is my time. Just remember this, GAMBLING DOES NOT GUARANTEE YOU A WIN! Seriously guys, it doesn't matter how much you deposit, you're not entitled to win big because you've spent a lot. It truly is luck and if it ever does come your time to win, you'll know about it. Please stop chasing the wins, it's not healthy. If that's the reason why you're betting rather than for enjoyment, it's time to register with Gamstop. It's never too late to forgive yourself and start afresh. Put your past behind you and start to build your new life while you still can. There is help out there; don't feel like you have to be independent and do it all alone. I honestly wish I would of done it sooner. Maybe I was ashamed that being a female people would look at me differently and judge me. All I know now is that I have my life back. I don't think about the amount of money I've lost but easy over 100k during my whole time of gambling. The money isn't coming back so let it go and move forward.
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Ok sorry for the long, unstructured post lol but just a rough idea of where I'm coming from. If anyone ever fancies a chat then feel free to give me a shout. I wish everyone the absolute best of luck in their recovery journey, it's not going to be easy but if you're serious and committed then it will be easier.Â
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One last thing, I got paid yesterday and for the first time in years I didn't gamble it all away! Seeing that I've got some money in the bank after paying out all my bills feels absolutely amazing.
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Have a great weekend guys, stay strong
- Afro
Hiya... Welcome. I echo much of what you have said. I have been a gambling addict for many years. The thrill is in chasing the big win. the thrill is in the "action" of chasing the big win. Every gambler chasses the jackpot. No gambler wants to lose their money and when we do we want it back. That's what I think anyway.
The only real win is not to play and that's the hard bit... not to try one's luck.
Gamstop helps. Its helped me. Its one of the few exclusion tools that actually works. It stopped my online slotting in its tracks.
I understand where you are coming from.
Enjoy life, don't gamble
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