I'm sure this is only too familiar to others. It's the same old tale of wasted time and wasted money on slots. It usually goes something like this.
- I'll just have X minutes on the slots and spend £X.
- Hours later I'm still playing and have lost 10 times the amount I said I would stick to.
I know all the tricks of the slot designers (LDWs - losses disguised as wins, RTP percentages and the worst of the lot - the ability to buy bonus games), but I still get sucked in. I've read about others who suffer from anxiety and I do too. I often feel anxious and the first few minutes of slotting makes me feel calm, an opportunity to get away from things, disappear into my own world. Of course this feeling of escape soon disappears to be replaced by extreme agitation and feelings of physical sickness and woe betide my other (better) half if she politely points out that I've been slotting for hours, I might reply "OK, I'm nearly finished" before playing for another hour or a terse "OKAY OKAY!"
Thanks for giving me the chance to post on here. It helps to get it off your chest. This is really me putting it down in writing and hoping I can act on staying away from slots. I'm not stupid, but I am when I'm on slots.
Yes I am not stupid either untill I am playing on the slots. I am compelled to keep playing regardless of the consequences. I simply can't drag myself away. I become very unwell very quickly as soon as I start to play. I go into a numb trance like state. I just watch the spinning reels and keep watching the spinning reels until all available funds have gone. I am then forced to rejoin real life and that sickening, scared feeling starts to rise within me as the consequences of what i have just done (again!) starts to dawn.
The only solution is not to play
The more I think about it and the more I think about the consequences of slotting I come to the conclusion that its a life threatening condition just as bad as snorting crack or injecting heroin. Just my opinion. All the best with your recovery
Many thanks for your reply!
Yes, it's the trance like state that means you play for longer than planned and when you join reality again you are left wondering how you could have wasted so much time and money.
All the best to you too btw! Really hoping I can embarrass myself into changing my ways. Like when I sit in pain as I'm desperate for the toilet but can't drag myself away from the screen for a minute.
Hi there - I’m new here but this all resonates so much, so thankyou. For years I gambled on sports (totally in control - ish) and then the slots arrived......a little at first.....then little by little I was hooked; like a right goon! Spending stupid amounts.
it’s awful. You win big but you lose overall. I’ve won big several times but it all goes. I don’t know why, but it does! And then there is the huge, stressful, consumption of my personal life in the process. Crazy! Then follows the guilt, the loss.
But.....then....., after a few days, you begin to rationalise the whole situation (wrongly) and the bad feeling subsides...... and then you’re off again (woo hoo!) - then, it’s utter c**P, again.
Playing slots is great fun but soon turns into a real low, for me. I hope I can just leave it all behind and enjoy what really matters in life moving forwards. As I wish for all of you out there too.. cheers and best wishes to you.
I relate to the toilet thing. Ive actually been into the bookies wanting to use the loo, got side tracked by the machines, lost my money after minutes or hours and still not used the loo. Am surprised ive never burst 🙂
Hi Macca,
Yes, I recognise the vicious circle of playing again a few days later, or the next day or even hours later.
The wins never cover the losses. I've probably been playing slots online for 15 years on and off with six month gaps, but over the past few years its become bad. I've had one single low four figure win and a handful of low three figure wins, so from a rational point of view that should be enough to stop immediately, should be....
Hi again ? - well, as tough as it is (and it is tough) I’m out now, online. Signed up to Gamstop for 5 years. Gonna regret it in a week or so. But at the same time I know I won’t have the rubbish feeling that follows the “fun”. It’s Sat night and I’ve had a few beers and i’m Listening to music instead of tapping for the next reel. Ok - it’s not the same, and I’d love a few spins - but I’m definitely more relaxed - even though for some reason I’m onto “turning Japanese” by the vapors ??? -awesome!
all the best! Get rid of the stress! It’s hard -really hard. But, cut them off at the pass........
That's great to hear, Macca! The only way is to remove all temptation and fill the slot-shaped hole. Signing up to gamstop has to be my ultimate aim.
Had free spins today and when I'd used them I started using my own funds. Felt sick almost immediately (clearing throat due to feelings of nausea). Stopped after about 15 mins and withdrew all funds from the sites I use. This feels like a positive moment. First joining this site, then realising that this habit or addiction is a waste of time and money, and is self-destructive. There is nothing to be gained from it.
Had free spins today and when I'd used them I started using my own funds. Felt sick almost immediately (clearing throat due to feelings of nausea). Stopped after about 15 mins and withdrew all funds from the sites I use. This feels like a positive moment. First joining this site, then realising that this habit or addiction is a waste of time and money, and is self-destructive. There is nothing to be gained from it.
The freebies are just the sprats to catch the mackerel as far as these sites are concerned. They give somebody xxx free spins which usually lose, so that they'll be tempted to continue with their own funds.
It's good that you had such a fast physical reaction, and acting on that so promptly has saved you quite a lot of ££ today, so well done.
The more distance you put between yourself and the slots, the more your thinking improves and becomes clearer so that you recognise what a con they are. It really is legalised theft.
Thanks for your reply, Redeemed!
Yes, the free spins are a clever ploy. Get people on slots and most will stay beyond the free spins.
Have taken on extra work over the past week (I work from home and sit at a computer for most of the day so the temptation is always there).
All the best!
Well done 1975er
Yes, I kidded myself I could just hold onto the online accounts and not spend; just for the free spins - but no, they just suck you in. We’ve all done it! Well done for cutting it short - that takes real will power. I’m sure you’ve got it in you to block them all out. Take care.
Very true about the spins. Had work-related hassle today which would have normally ended up with a few hours of mind-numbing escape from reality on slots, but stayed away.
Ditto when my better half goes in the bath is usually an opportunity for sneaky slotting, but resisted that too. Helps to type up devious and embarrassing behaviour as a result of slotting, because it is easy to carry thoughts and actions in your own head, but sharing them really reveals to you how pathetic they are. Also helps to share because in a way I feel like I would let down others on here who have shown support.
All the best!
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