Hello,
I have always enjoyed a "flutter" on the horses or putting the odd money in the fruit machines whilst out with my mates....up to lockdown fruit machines were practically not a part of my life at all... I had a phone betting account for my horses and life was OK... I would overall lose, but never that big to kept awake at night and occasionally win big to deposit back in to my bank account.... and then the virus hit and for some reason my life changed....I was forced to work from home, I found myself enjoying betting on the US horses, but once again nothing big... and then one night I found the fruit machines on my betting account and that was me done for.... I found myself sitting at my PC playing the games, drinking until I could hardly stay awake... and the money took a hit... I realized I had an issue and put on an account limit on my original account.... but as fast as I was putting an account limit on one site I was opening another.... it got to a point where I actually lost track on my accounts... and it was the same thing... the on-line fruit machines, I would go looking for accounts that I could access....I have now suspended most of them and really want to close down all my accounts except the one that I originally had (I contacted and asked them to make it horse racing only which they did with no problem for 6 months).... you see I still like a bet on the horses (this is or was never that big)... however, I have reached out for support as I want to try and work out how I can best get to my pre-lockdown self...I noticed that drinking at home leads me to gambling...if I don't drink I don't gamble.... however, I like to have a beer... I like the horses but I don't want the fruit machines.... I need to work out how I can have a drink but not be tempted to play the bandits.... enjoy a couple of bets on a Saturday but not let it get to anything else ?? Is this possible, I wonder ? I want my pre-lockdown life back again....
Hello. You sound like myself. I am completely fine betting on horses and football. A few quid here and there. The times I lost didn't even matter as I'd have a good time watching football and horses and it didn't make a difference to my bank balance.
However once I started going online on roulette and slots, life changed and I was completely addicted. I still am. And all savings were gone etc.
I'd say if you only do that when you drink then don't drink at home. You'll have to make a sacrifice. I'd say you're lucky if that is the case and you KNOW that it's what causing it however you might drink more because you gamble too. Vice versa.
I was with skybet I eliminated everything apart from football and horses but just found myself searching other sites for the slots and table games.
Gambling is feeding an addiction. That's what the slots and table games are. An addiction. And it's disgusting. If I knew that I only gambled like that because if drinking for example, I don't care how much I like beer, I'd stop drinking straight away.
Gambling and drinking is a highly toxic ingredients.
There is considered to be a one-way street, that's south. You're literally feeding the Monkey (inner demon) and not making yourself accountable for your actions.
Xoi
Dear Enigma,
Thank you for posting on the GamCare forum. It sounds like you have seen an increase in your gambling over the lockdown and are looking for ways in which to reduce this again to a level you feel comfortable with. You have already put some restrictions in place and this sounds like a good place to start, however it may be that some time out for a period of time could give you the space needed to review your current situation.
It could be that you might like to consider some additional gambling blocks for a time; registering with Gam Stop for six months and downloading blocking software on to the devices you use to gamble.
Alternatively, or as well as, it could be helpful to talk to someone in a bit more depth about your gambling and the concerns you are having. 1-1 treatment support is available, and our live chat and helpline 0808 8020 133 are available 24 hours a day for further advice and support.
I wish you all the very best.
Helen
Forum Admin
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