2018 in october, i successfully opted out by going into a local slow machine place, and for that 12 months i did really well, obviously knowing they wouldn't be able to let me in made everything so much easier and being in a wheelchair it's not like i can pretend to be someone else lol.
2019 october, i played a little but recognised it was not a brilliant idea so started trying to opt out, but they staff kept saying they couldn't get an internet connection etc and i think the same in november and january this was between periods of ill health, then of course lockdown..
i went in today and spent my life savings, i spent more than i left myself with, i should have stopped when i realised there wasn't anyone there to help me opt out but stupidly i thought i'd hang around for someone from management to show up.
But they can't even get their internet to work to use their hand held card machine so i doubt they could help me opt out, but i can't get into the other establishment in town as they have a step.
i've looked into opting out online but aparently that only works for online gambling, so what options do i have?
i can't keep gambling, i just got a new boyfriend and i'm getting used to living alone and i everything was ok, i don't want to lose any of that.
Hello @hopelesslylost,
I'm really sorry to read about your experience trying to opt out in person.
You mention slot machines, was it an arcade/adult gaming centre? Their self-exclusion scheme is run by an organisation called Bacta. I've checked on their website and it says that you should also be able to self-exclude over the phone with a venue, and that they must offer to include other venues of the same gambling-type, so perhaps it would be worth phoning the venue that is not accessible due to the step and seeing if they are able to set it up to cover both of your local premises. Alternatively, you could contact Bacta and see what they suggest, you should be able to self-exclude if you want to regardless of internet. You can find their contact details here www.bacta.org.uk/contact
If it's a betting shop that you want to self-exclude from, you can call MOSES on 0800 294 2060 8am to midnight, 7 days a week, and they will be able to help you set that up.
Please feel free to contact our helpline (0808 8020 133) or netline www.gamcare.org.uk/netline for further support.
Best wishes,
Elizabeth
Forum Admin
Thank you so much, you're a star, I hope to get back to you with news off successfully opting out
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