Evening all and Merry Christmas.
Thought i would share my story of the addiction i am currently battling.
It all began maybe 10 years as i am now aged 28 and find my self in the same situation every month, its almost like living a repeat every month.
i started gambling by means of football accumulators and small wins here and there but then was introduced to roulette on a FOBT. These machines didn't start my addiction but the game of roulette did. Every now and again i would place small bets but nothing major. It wasn't until i found online casinos and the roulette tables that my whole world changed. for about 5 years i have been addicted but never until recently acknowledged that i do have an issue and if i continue on this route it will end my life.
These online casino roulette tables have me hooked in the most scary way. Every month without doubt and when its pay day i will certainly deposit thousands. This is the cycle every month. In november i won £10,ooo but lost it all again a few weeks later and so it repeats. Each month this year i might win a couple of thousand and then bam im back gambling it away. Until now i have managed to keep my head above water somehow but i could easily loose everything. My brain almost tells to go and bet taking me back to thinking that anything is possible and its the unknown of possibly winning thousands that draws me in day by day. I'm conscious family and friends maybe aware something isn't right.
I really find this addiction difficult to explain but the game of roulette has taken over my brain and life.
Hi Samd1232,
Welcome to the forum and sharing your story with us. I'm sure other forum members will be along to offer support and advice. But in the meantime I would say there are a lot of practical things you can do to block yourself from being able to gamble online. If you haven't already, start by working through some of the ideas at http://www.gamcare.org.uk/get-advice/what-can-you-do.
You would be very welcome to give us a call on the Freephone HelpLine 0808 8020 133 or chat to us on the NetLine. Look forward to reading more of your posts.
Take care
John
Forum Admin
Hello, and welcome to the site.
My problem was with online gambling (Sports betting), and the fact that there was always something to gamble on had me placing bets throughout my waking day, like you my thoughts were pretty irrational and calls from gambling sites asking me if I was sure I wanted to deposit more money were met with disdain even though these red flags should have been caused me to consider my actions more carefully.
It was a final realisation for me that I was about to go under if I didn't stop that set me on the road to recovery, I stopped on my own for a while but then after joining this site I learned of Gamstop and signed up for the maximum time, this helped to handle the complacency that was setting in as the shock of my situation was subsiding a little and I was questioning whether I had a problem after all (my bank / credit cards were screaming YES but my head was saying NO).
Almost 3 years down the line I look back and know that the decision to stop/sign up to Gamstop was the best thing I ever did, it's been quite a journey of recovery in terms of the finances but for the first time in years I'm now in the black at my bank and my cards are now at zero balance, I still have a loan that I'm paying off and have that for a couple more years but it's serviceable and I'm at peace with it.
You mention the unknown of possibly winning thousands but the truth is that this will simply not happen because any win you may have will simply fuel your desire to win more and we all know where that leads, it's the gamblers mentality I'm afraid. So, you've got yourself here and now you need to read up on the various stories/diaries, advice and guidance and start your own journey to recovery by doing what works for you (be it Gamstop, GA etc.), it's not easy but it's well worth it I promise you.
All the very best.
I have almost the same issues..
Completely understand you mate. I was strictly only gambling on football before lockdown and only 20-30 a week for some amusement at 3pm on a Saturday. Then the lockdown hit in March and there was no small time amusement on a Saturday so started having a punt on the online roulette and was one of the worst decisions I've ever made. I've lost thousands, its never fun, I would win a good amount and as soon as it hit my account the next day it was back in their pockets. Now when I bet on the football I find no amusement in that either, this is because of the money I've squandered and now I want to win it back, instead of just willing a random League 1 team to bag a last minute winner, I'm literally only thinking of the return and the debt I can clear which runs into around £25k.
Got friends as well who have lost thousands and nearly all of my mates have done the same as me.
So glad I signed up to this because reading a few stories like yours, I can completely relate. Roulette is bad bad news mate so hope you find the strength to knock it om the head.
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