Gambling Addiction - Need Help, A Chat - Read This!

[Col city fan]

19 hours ago, foxfanazer said:

No gambling from me for over two months now. Getting easier every week but still got to stay aware that I can fall back into it

Two months is a stonking effort mate

Now might be the time to sign up to Gamstop.. ensure you can’t fall back into it?

[Steve_Guppy_Left_Foot]

I feel totally in control until I'm not. Normally it's the booze that coincides with losing a shed load on blackjack or the virtual horses, which is really annoying because when it comes to flat racing, a real passion of mine and it for sure goes well beyond the gambling aspect of it, I'm bloody good at it and I have great discipline and do really well generally, to go from that to a drunk throwing thousands away and chasing is so disheartening. I've had days where I've made a few grand on the neds, working out my plays for literally days, studying diligently and doing really well, just to feel really chuffed with myself so having a drink to celebrate making, say 3k, then getting too far gone and waking up the next day 2k down on that. Lockdown hasn't helped for sure and I know I have a problem with specially drunk gambling because sober gambling is something I enjoy so much and am reasonably good at. I've started using the time out function and it's definitely helping, if I have a good day on the horses and then fancy a drink I'll put a 24 hour block on the account with the money in. Just wish I could have that kind of foresight all the time because when I don't things inevitably go to pot. Anyway, hope all those with gambling problems on here are doing well over this time, I know for me the feeling of almost need to make stupid bets on stuff I can't reasonably predict has got worse and I'm sure it's the same for a lot of people. Not sure what the point of this post is really just I've read through the whole thing and lurked a lot over the years so wanted to speak up, even people who are fully in control of their gambling can have a weak spot (drinking, for me) and just do your best. 

[TJB-fox]

15 hours ago, Steve_Guppy_Left_Foot said:

I feel totally in control until I'm not. Normally it's the booze that coincides with losing a shed load on blackjack or the virtual horses, which is really annoying because when it comes to flat racing, a real passion of mine and it for sure goes well beyond the gambling aspect of it, I'm bloody good at it and I have great discipline and do really well generally, to go from that to a drunk throwing thousands away and chasing is so disheartening. I've had days where I've made a few grand on the neds, working out my plays for literally days, studying diligently and doing really well, just to feel really chuffed with myself so having a drink to celebrate making, say 3k, then getting too far gone and waking up the next day 2k down on that. Lockdown hasn't helped for sure and I know I have a problem with specially drunk gambling because sober gambling is something I enjoy so much and am reasonably good at. I've started using the time out function and it's definitely helping, if I have a good day on the horses and then fancy a drink I'll put a 24 hour block on the account with the money in. Just wish I could have that kind of foresight all the time because when I don't things inevitably go to pot. Anyway, hope all those with gambling problems on here are doing well over this time, I know for me the feeling of almost need to make stupid bets on stuff I can't reasonably predict has got worse and I'm sure it's the same for a lot of people. Not sure what the point of this post is really just I've read through the whole thing and lurked a lot over the years so wanted to speak up, even people who are fully in control of their gambling can have a weak spot (drinking, for me) and just do your best. 

Best of luck with it mate. Without trying to sound like I’m on my high horse it does sound like you’re kidding yourself slightly and blaming it all on the booze. My advice would be pretty unimaginative: sign up to Gamstop. Absolute gamechanger. Bit of a pain in the ass during the current lockdown but will save you far more money long term than you’ll ever make in one of your good horse-racing sessions. 

[howlinmadmurfdoc]

On 08/01/2021 at 01:04, Steve_Guppy_Left_Foot said:

I feel totally in control until I'm not. Normally it's the booze that coincides with losing a shed load on blackjack or the virtual horses, which is really annoying because when it comes to flat racing, a real passion of mine and it for sure goes well beyond the gambling aspect of it, I'm bloody good at it and I have great discipline and do really well generally, to go from that to a drunk throwing thousands away and chasing is so disheartening. I've had days where I've made a few grand on the neds, working out my plays for literally days, studying diligently and doing really well, just to feel really chuffed with myself so having a drink to celebrate making, say 3k, then getting too far gone and waking up the next day 2k down on that. Lockdown hasn't helped for sure and I know I have a problem with specially drunk gambling because sober gambling is something I enjoy so much and am reasonably good at. I've started using the time out function and it's definitely helping, if I have a good day on the horses and then fancy a drink I'll put a 24 hour block on the account with the money in. Just wish I could have that kind of foresight all the time because when I don't things inevitably go to pot. Anyway, hope all those with gambling problems on here are doing well over this time, I know for me the feeling of almost need to make stupid bets on stuff I can't reasonably predict has got worse and I'm sure it's the same for a lot of people. Not sure what the point of this post is really just I've read through the whole thing and lurked a lot over the years so wanted to speak up, even people who are fully in control of their gambling can have a weak spot (drinking, for me) and just do your best. 

I don’t really want to speak out of turn mate but people that are fully in control of gambling don’t have a weak spot. In the last year and a half I’ve learned that no buzz from winning beats the feeling of having money in my bank account that I’ve earned. It sounds like you’ve got the problem most gamblers do where any money you win ends up being money for another bet. Gamstop is brilliant, especially with the bookies being shut at the minute it closes off almost all avenues. Take care mate. 

[Steve_Guppy_Left_Foot]

You're both right. I've always loved the flat horses and always done pretty well at it but lately I'm definitely out of control. Time to stop. 

[The Syrup]

Gamstop is brilliant.... and works. Been about 3 years now. With high street bookies closed these days now is the perfect time to sign up. Like any addiction it takes time and will power. Good luck.

[Ric Flair]

I really do fear for the pandemic, there is going to be a massive spike of problem gambling during this last year. Online gambling is a huge issue, it doesn't feel like real money and you have way less time to try and snap out of what your doing and walk away. Gamblers anonymous attendee numbers are way down as well, I know restrictions make it very difficult for people to attend and even harder for new people reaching out and trying to get help but if anyone reads this that is having a hard time and feel they are out of control then drop me a message. We all need to look out for one another.

 

Hopefully on course bookies, casinos and high street bookies have to close down due to the pandemic but sadly the online sites will be rolling in it. I don't say that lightly as people will lose their jobs from any downturn but being biased, there are a lot more people whose livelihoods are effected by compulsive gamblers than there are if the gambling industry takes a huge hit. 

[TJB-fox]

3 hours ago, Ric Flair said:

I really do fear for the pandemic, there is going to be a massive spike of problem gambling during this last year. Online gambling is a huge issue, it doesn't feel like real money and you have way less time to try and snap out of what your doing and walk away. Gamblers anonymous attendee numbers are way down as well, I know restrictions make it very difficult for people to attend and even harder for new people reaching out and trying to get help but if anyone reads this that is having a hard time and feel they are out of control then drop me a message. We all need to look out for one another.

 

Hopefully on course bookies, casinos and high street bookies have to close down due to the pandemic but sadly the online sites will be rolling in it. I don't say that lightly as people will lose their jobs from any downturn but being biased, there are a lot more people whose livelihoods are effected by compulsive gamblers than there are if the gambling industry takes a huge hit. 

I read in the racing post recently the figures surrounding the surge in online gambling since the lockdowns began. Can’t remember the exact figures but the rise in spending was huge. Now, although not brilliant news it was to be expected but what I found more worrying was the rise in virtual betting (predominantly virtual horses) and casino betting. People that normally bet a few quid in a bookies and find themselves fully in control will now be doubling/trebling their stakes, chasing their losses and betting on crap that’s shoved their way, as they begin to be sucked in by the perils of online bookmakers. 

 

Cant say I agree with everything you’ve said though, because if the bookies are doing their jobs properly and the upmost to protect problem gamblers (yes I do see the irony here) then gambling can be a healthy and fun pastime. Having worked in a bookies during my university years I saw that side of things and how effective/non-effective some bookies are when dealing with problem gamblers and how important it is. Most people will say if someone wants to stop they’ll stop etc, but you have to almost treat them like children and take away their freedom as such. 

[Collymore]

BBC News - Online gambling faces fresh restrictions
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-55899644

 

A step in the right direction but surely the damage will have been done over lockdown and this is all too late. 

 

It's mind boggling how this isn't a crime, these games are designed to hook vulnerable people (and there will be lots of vulnerable people about at the moment I'd imagine) and the government kind of just every now and then throw a bit of half hearted legislation at it and then hide. 

 

 

[Innovindil]

21 minutes ago, Collymore said:

BBC News - Online gambling faces fresh restrictions
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-55899644

 

A step in the right direction but surely the damage will have been done over lockdown and this is all too late. 

 

It's mind boggling how this isn't a crime, these games are designed to hook vulnerable people (and there will be lots of vulnerable people about at the moment I'd imagine) and the government kind of just every now and then throw a bit of half hearted legislation at it and then hide. 

 

 

It's yet another rag tag scatter gun approach at the problem. I get there's problem gambler that need protecting, and we should protect them, but this is ridiculous. They're ruining gambling for normal punters without doing anything to protect the problem gamblers. How the hell can I be able to have a £1000 spin on a casino game like crazy time, but can't buy a £10 bonus on a slot like fishing frenzy? It's madness. 

 

Only way to fix this problem is to start from scratch. Set up a national database of gamblers. Only way to gamble is to have one big account that you need to sign up to William Hill or skybet or whoever, have limits across the national account based on earnings. Normal punters can punt on whatever the hell they want, problem gamblers can't punt their house away. 

 

A big task, yes, but big problems require big solutions, not sodding limiting time in between spins ffs. 

[davieG]

23 minutes ago, Collymore said:

BBC News - Online gambling faces fresh restrictions
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-55899644

 

A step in the right direction but surely the damage will have been done over lockdown and this is all too late. 

 

It's mind boggling how this isn't a crime, these games are designed to hook vulnerable people (and there will be lots of vulnerable people about at the moment I'd imagine) and the government kind of just every now and then throw a bit of half hearted legislation at it and then hide. 

 

 

Being a none betting person looking in from the safe outside It just seems like a legal scam to me. They're designed for you to lose aren't they?

 

 

[Ric Flair]

25 minutes ago, Collymore said:

BBC News - Online gambling faces fresh restrictions
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-55899644

 

A step in the right direction but surely the damage will have been done over lockdown and this is all too late. 

 

It's mind boggling how this isn't a crime, these games are designed to hook vulnerable people (and there will be lots of vulnerable people about at the moment I'd imagine) and the government kind of just every now and then throw a bit of half hearted legislation at it and then hide. 

 

 

Definitely, there will be a pandemic after the pandemic but rather than it being a physical illness of covid it will be an increase in problem gamblers in a shit state mentally. Its been the perfect storm for this, it was already horrendous prior to 2020 but there will be a very sorry aftermath. I just hope these people can reach out and get help, I've seen 1 new member join G.A since last summer which to give some context, we'd have seen 20-30 new people within that time ordinarily.

[davieG]

1 minute ago, Ric Flair said:

Definitely, there will be a pandemic after the pandemic but rather than it being a physical illness of covid it will be an increase in problem gamblers in a shit state mentally. Its been the perfect storm for this, it was already horrendous prior to 2020 but there will be a very sorry aftermath. I just hope these people can reach out and get help, I've seen 1 new member join G.A since last summer which to give some context, we'd have seen 20-30 new people within that time ordinarily.

Is there a different mind set to those gambling online where they don't feel like they're gamblers so don't have a problem. Seems a small step from playing free  fun games / comps to actually playing with real money. They're in the 'pub' in their own homes so to speak.

[Collymore]

12 minutes ago, davieG said:

Being a none betting person looking in from the safe outside It just seems like a legal scam to me. They're designed for you to lose aren't they?

 

 

Pretty much. 

 

If you ever walk into a betting shop its heart breaking to see people just mindlessly pressing the spin button and feeding the machines with £20 notes like they're pennies. The shop assistant will just sit there happily watching a young mother or elderly person blow their child allowance or weekly pension payment. 

 

You're right, they're a scam, but targeting the most vulnerable part of society. 

 

[Collymore]

24 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

Definitely, there will be a pandemic after the pandemic but rather than it being a physical illness of covid it will be an increase in problem gamblers in a shit state mentally. Its been the perfect storm for this, it was already horrendous prior to 2020 but there will be a very sorry aftermath. I just hope these people can reach out and get help, I've seen 1 new member join G.A since last summer which to give some context, we'd have seen 20-30 new people within that time ordinarily.

Are you doing video conferencing with it at the moment? 

[Ric Flair]

21 minutes ago, davieG said:

Is there a different mind set to those gambling online where they don't feel like they're gamblers so don't have a problem. Seems a small step from playing free  fun games / comps to actually playing with real money. They're in the 'pub' in their own homes so to speak.

The problem with online gambling over other forms is that you aren't making that physical handing over of money, the humiliating process of walking to the ATM to get yet more money out etc where the time spent doing that might be enough to break the trance like state the problem gambler gets in when chasing losses. Its not foolproof though, I've countless experiences of gambling in bookies or on bandits in pubs where I've been back and forth losing hundreds and its hideous.

 

However, I never caused as much damage as I did when online gambling where all my available credit was linked and could gamble between £10-20k in minutes.

 

To be honest though Davie, the monetary losses isn't the sole concern here, yes that is what causes the most obvious devastation that ruins the lives of both the gambler and the people around them but it's the superficial skin to the crux of the problem. Had I not lost 5 figures in 15 minutes that one harrowing May evening in 2018 when my wife was on her way back from work, would it have made a blind bit of difference to my " problem " ? No it wouldn't, if anything I'm actually scared of what the future may have held for me had I not had that " defining moment " and hit rock bottom. So whilst losing thousands and these gambling companies praying on these people is despicable, its going to take more than restrictions to fully support and fix this horrible disease.

[Ric Flair]

3 minutes ago, Collymore said:

Are you doing video conferencing with it at the moment? 

There's zoom calls and there's still face to face meetings for up to 15 which is a god send for people.

[TJB-fox]

4 hours ago, Collymore said:

Pretty much. 

 

If you ever walk into a betting shop its heart breaking to see people just mindlessly pressing the spin button and feeding the machines with £20 notes like they're pennies. The shop assistant will just sit there happily watching a young mother or elderly person blow their child allowance or weekly pension payment. 

 

You're right, they're a scam, but targeting the most vulnerable part of society. 

 

That’s what frustrates me. Majority of the staff in bookies are minimum wage and don’t give a ****. People will look at it and say well it’s the punters choice to bet and nothing to do with the cashier but that is totally not the case. The companies have got to do more and staff have got to do more to help problem gamblers. The training and protocols are just about in place but the individuals just don’t give a ****. 

[Collymore]

BBC News - ‘I gambled our house away without telling my partner’
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/stories-55864799

 

This poor family lost over £550k in 3 years after the wife gambled it all away to feed her addiction. Again, like @Ric Flair has mentioned, she was showered with free gifts with her VIP status and invited to sporting events etc... @davieG mentioned legal scams... I'd say more organised crime might be a better fit.  

[Ric Flair]

1 hour ago, Collymore said:

BBC News - ‘I gambled our house away without telling my partner’
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/stories-55864799

 

This poor family lost over £550k in 3 years after the wife gambled it all away to feed her addiction. Again, like @Ric Flair has mentioned, she was showered with free gifts with her VIP status and invited to sporting events etc... @davieG mentioned legal scams... I'd say more organised crime might be a better fit.  

Makes my blood boil, sickening. These companies going cap in hand as well to the government when lockdown first started last year claiming they were in a shit state due to bookies closing and live sport suspended wahahahaa they are literally making billions on rigged casino games and I would be amazed if they didn't tinker with their algorithms further since the pandemic to take more money off problem gamblers (let them win and win and then when they keep coming back chasing their losses, allow them it back and then eventually take them for everything in one hit) and they most definitely have online platforms targeting people more through advertising.

 

Heads should roll.

[foxfanazer]

Still gamble free since early October. Feels so good

[howlinmadmurfdoc]

On 05/02/2021 at 20:08, foxfanazer said:

Still gamble free since early October. Feels so good

Brilliant mate. Cracking work.

[chrishlcfc]

On 19/07/2020 at 09:53, chrishlcfc said:

I’m really really struggling to kick the habit. After doing so well at the start of the year going 60 days without gambling, ever since Cheltenham I started again and it’s just spiralled out of control again since. Gone back to daily gambling and literally every single bit of income I get just goes straight to gambling. 
 

It gets me so down when I do it is as well. Everything I try, I just can’t seem to stop. I use gamstop which is good to a point but then I find a way round that. I use gamban but I found a loophole in that. I self exclude from all the local bookies in my area and in town. I ask to be exclude from all bookies but there isn’t a way it can be done, so every time I add to the list I just find another bookies that isn’t on the list. I put a block from gambling on my debit card but I found a way round that somehow as well. I suppose in my sick head I just think that’s another part of the fun.  

I feel more needs to be done by the gambling regulation in that respect because as hard as the companies that try and help you, there should be a way that you can be excluded from every single betting shop in the country. Surely in this day and age they should be able to set up a system that permanently bans people who want to be excluded from all shops. And also it’s to simple with the online steps I’ve took to just swerve around them.

 

Anyway that’s just another excuse. The real problem for me is I’m so despairing desperate to stop but in my mind I can’t. I got to the big step with gamcare of asking for help. That is absolutely what I need. I started telephone sessions. I attended 2, they were quite good. Just told the advisor all the problems I was having, but It didn’t stop me. You can only get help if you really want to stop. I really want to stop but somewhere in my head still won’t let me. After the 2 sessions I was arranged a zoom session, that was 2 months ago. I didn’t attend that session and haven’t attended another session since.

 

So the end point is the help is out there but you have to really want to stop and that is what I can’t do. I’m so disheartened and downbeat about it all. I feel so close I to wanting stop, I want to if it kills me but the addiction gets the better of me.

 

Think my main problem is I still haven’t told my parents. I told them I stopped years and years ago. Even then that was true for a while but in reality I never did stop completely. Now I can’t tell my mum, she isn’t stable enough for news like that. Don’t get me wrong she’s fine but she’s on edge all the time and something like that could definitely tip her over the edge as she despises gambling more than anything in the world and that’s because my dad is also a compulsive gambler, but he really doesn’t want to stop, so he can’t help me either. I don't blame him of course I don’t it’s my life, but I feel that is the reason I became addicted, I was brainwashed with it all so to speak from a pretty young age. All I would do is listen to my dad gamble and I still do I suppose and I just copied it.

 

The only person at the end of it all that can help me is my myself, the help is out there but I’ve just got to get back on the ladder and start again and try and kick this dreadful disease.

 

I will get there at some stage, just don’t know how and when at the moment. But deep down having started before I should realise that it can be done.
 

To anybody else, please don’t get hooked it make your life a misery. 

Made a start on trying to kick this thing for good again. Gambling free since the 4th Jan, just got to carry on now and do it for good and this time I’m confident I will as I’m definitely going to get the support I need.
 

Also so thankful to a few of the posters on this page that I’ve reached out too. There’s no need to name names as they are all the same people who try to help people on this page whenever somebody comes and writes that they have a problem with this horrible addiction. It’s so helpful to occasionally pick people’s brains who have been through the same thing and have come out the other side,

 

I really can’t put into words how much it means. I can see a light at the end of the tunnel and I’m determined to get there.

 

 

 

 

[thankyouleicester]

I almost threw my life away some years back due to gambling. I had a nice house, girlfriend and job. Lost em all. Was an extreme low point for me and in my early 30s I was forced to move back in with my mum.

 

It's been nearly 2 years now since I relapsed, and I've been working hard to save up every day. I am banned from every UK gambling casino, poker room etc. And I am banned from all bookies in my local area.

 

It's a real challenge to fend off this demon, but it is possible. 

 

I hope anyone going through dark times with gambling can read my message and gain hope that there can be better times ahead.

[howlinmadmurfdoc]

18 hours ago, chrishlcfc said:

Made a start on trying to kick this thing for good again. Gambling free since the 4th Jan, just got to carry on now and do it for good and this time I’m confident I will as I’m definitely going to get the support I need.
 

Also so thankful to a few of the posters on this page that I’ve reached out too. There’s no need to name names as they are all the same people who try to help people on this page whenever somebody comes and writes that they have a problem with this horrible addiction. It’s so helpful to occasionally pick people’s brains who have been through the same thing and have come out the other side,

 

I really can’t put into words how much it means. I can see a light at the end of the tunnel and I’m determined to get there.

 

 

 

 

With the bookies being shut and Gamstop you’re never going to have a better chance to kick it mate. Good luck and if you need any support you’ve only got to ask.