Hi everyone hope your well - I have a serious problem and it’s effecting my health massively. I run my own small sports company that host darts exhibitions and that’s my job. Now i have tens of thousands of pounds of sports memorabilia I’ve collected myself over the years and I continuously raffle the items of on social media to make around xx a time then it goes straight in the machine , everything I make though my business again goes in the machines. I’m worried sick as gambling has taken over everything I have a bank overdraft which I’ve reached of xx and getting charged and the o my reason the bank accepted it online was due to me putting I earn xx a month which I don’t , then as far as my tax for the little business I run on my own I have filled it in not knowing what I’ve earned , I got around xx on my website which I have put on. But my bank statement has payments in from people and PayPal for about xx this year for raffles I’ve run got my own personal items and all the money has gone on betting . I’m so worried about everything the gambling has caused it all. I don’t know what I can do anymore I’m worried the gambling will take me to prison for getting so much money in which is not in my business tax return.
Also I’ve started feeling all light headed and nearly collapsing when I’ve been in a bookmakers it’s horrible
I can spent 7-8 hours sat at a machine and keep going and going even if I was xx up ....
i continuosly have been extending my overdraft in the bookies on my phone to keep going but think I’ve had it now.
Hi Rich,
The first thing to do is shut down all of your gambling accounts. Self exclude from all local bookies and get gambling blocking software for your phone or laptop. There’s no point chasing now it never works.
Contact step change a debt hotline they will help.
Tell your family, partner or friends the situation. They will support you and help.
Continue to speak to people on here in the chat rooms and live chat. Consider going to your local GA meeting as well Rich.
All the best
Hi Rich88,
It sounds like the situation is making you feel quite anxious. Feel free to have a one-to-one conversation with one of our Advisors on the Helpline 0808 8020 133 (or the Netline) anytime from 8am until midnight 7 days a week. There is help available.
Best Wishes
Forum Admin
Rich don’t panic.......number one thing is stop going into bookies, understand the money is gone and don’t go chasing it.You will need to read through advice, reinvent your life and social timetable to keep out of this shops.
Could you be more specific on how you are gambling
Hi the machines eye of Horus games like that , generally in B*****d and I find they are more corrupt than any. I’ve contacted them before and said lol your taking all my money and they said go in shop and see Someone so I sent in shop and ended up gambling as was embarrassed to ask for help when people were there. I’m mostly worried about my false figures to get a large overdraft which has purely been to gamble and gamble and gamble 🙁
Don’t be embarrassed, get in there very early when no one is there or 20mins before closing. They can’t turn you away or say come back when the manager is here. Get it done it’s the first step mate
I self excluded from my local bookies, it helps. The shame of going in to do it wasn't too bad, but the thought of being caught being in there gambling when I banned myself is a strong deterrent, even if one of them has expired.
If you can't stop yourself put some physical blocks in place, it is a good first step. Eventually you will have to deal with the REAL reason you gamble, and that is in 99% of cases not gambling related at all...
Good luck.
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