New here. FIFA points online. Push of a button. Awful.

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(@gregh)
Posts: 3
Topic starter
 

Hello. I'm Greg. 27 years old. I need a bit of help. 

I've just signed up today. And registered for the online course/modules to get the help and advice I need. The big step for me was telling my parents and partner my issue and this lifted a massive weight off of my shoulders. 

My issue: Started around November/December 2018. Online gambling via the Xbox Game Fifa 2019 and then into the latest one fifa 20. In the online mode you can press one button to buy in game currency to then attempt to get better things to help you win more. It is not guaranteed that what you spend you will get something good. So it became a downward spiral, as I wanted to get good things and the thrill of trying to get it was high. When you did get something good it was great.

I didn't really realise it was becoming out of hand until around January/February 2019. When my credit card bills were high and needed to pay them off I went into overdraft and was scared. I did not want to let my partner down and felt ashamed. Because of this I ended up taking loans out to cover the gambling issue and then as that reduced the monthly payments increased and then eventually things caught up with me a few months ago and I needed help from my parents. 

I'm looking forward to clearing the last bit of debt and getting things back on track. 

Greg.  

This topic was modified 4 years ago 2 times by GregH
 
Posted : 5th July 2020 10:17 am
(@benjyt96)
Posts: 14
 

Hiya Greg.

Although this may not help you, but I’ve done this in the past with FIFA points. Spending £200+ on new promos every time they were released. TOTS/TOTY aswell! 

Although in my head I never classed it as ‘gambling’ but I hear the UK government are looking into getting regulated on these ‘loot boxes’ as they are addictive and in sense gambling. 

Wish you well on the recovery 

 

 
Posted : 5th July 2020 1:55 pm
Forum admin
(@forum-admin)
Posts: 5946
Admin
 

Hi Greg, welcome to the GamCare forum. Thank you for joining and sharing your story.

Loot crates are an increasing problem. It's good that you've recognised that it's become a problem for you and that you've signed up for support with it. 

One of the difficult things about loot crates is that some of the responsible gambling tools available for other forms of gambling might not work for loot crates. However, if you do want to explore ways to prevent yourself from being able to buy loot crates, you could perhaps explore the family restrictions settings at family.microsoft.com. You might be able to set it up so that someone else has to approve any purchases you make. You might also want to explore putting some financial controls in place more generally. Some people find it helpful to give someone they trust access to view their financial accounts, or even hand over financial control altogether for a time. 

The important thing is that you have signed up for a treatment course. Getting treatment can help you make long term changes to your behaviour and help you stay in control.

And remember we're always here on the Helpline any time you feel like you need extra support. Contact us on 0808 8020 133 or by Livechat.

 
Posted : 5th July 2020 8:49 pm
(@givemethebuzz)
Posts: 174
 

im not sure "loot crates" can be classified as a gambling problem 

my understanding is they offer no financial incentive ....you are buying something to try to help and improve your gameplay they are also at fixed cost and im pretty sure can be disabled on the consoles store if someone is having that much trouble with them 

i dont really see how this has any correlation to a gambling addiction....seems more of a general spending problem !?!

 
Posted : 6th July 2020 11:50 am
(@gregh)
Posts: 3
Topic starter
 

Hi

Loot boxes officially cannot be classed as gambling i get that. However the addiction to keep buying them to try and get better things in game still exists. The thrill of when you get something good is still there. Essentially like playing roulette or other methods, you spend to try and win. If someone is having trouble yes they can be disabled but when someone has a problem and can't stop properly then that is the least of my concerns. Thankfully this past month I have removed all of these possibilities of games out of my life and taken back some control at least. 

Greg

 
Posted : 6th July 2020 12:04 pm
(@givemethebuzz)
Posts: 174
 

there must be a ceiling though where the gamer cant get any better of a team / gun collection whatever

or it simply becomes boring to pursue it any further ?

glad you cant access it anymore anyway i'm just not sure how well a lot of gambling addicts would relate here 

 

 

 

 
Posted : 6th July 2020 12:22 pm
Chris.UK
(@chris-uk)
Posts: 887
 

It's the behaviour that should be in question, not whether the loot boxes are gambling or not.

If you think of your behaviour when problematic gambling, you probably lie, hide what you are doing, gamble until everything is gone or find yourself unable to stop. You probably gamble in bed, not sleeping properly and other areas of your life get neglected.

If you then look at your behaviour when playing certain games, not counting the actual money but the way you act, I think it's perfectly acceptable to see gaming as an issue. Personally I have to delete the games if I find myself getting out of hand and I've known a few people in GA rooms pick up games when they put gambling down. 

The same behaviour returns. The only solution I have is to not play the games, free or not, because I play compulsively. The feeling of freedom when I delete the games is very similar to when I put gambling down. 

So, like gambling, abstinence from certain games is the only solution.

Chris.

 
Posted : 6th July 2020 2:18 pm
(@dazza85)
Posts: 6
 

I agree with Chris. It isnt about wether or not loot crates is considered gambling or not, its about the addictive perspnality you and I have and the addictive nature loot crates create in game. Ive been there on an RPG, always rerolling stats on character equipments and using loot crates to aim for the 1% probable BIG prize that will make you the Don in the server

 That addictive but that gets you when you get it. I put away sports betting and went to gaming and loot crating for a long time. I spent thousands in the game.

So its not about is it gambling

 Its about them being addictive. And us switching one addictive thing for another. In that sense its important, I believe for us to stay well away from the games ! 

 
Posted : 6th July 2020 5:39 pm

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