I have a gambling addiction.

[Mighty Shrimper]

I have just sent the following email to Ladbrokes, William Hill, Bet365, BetVictor, Stan James, Paddy Power, Pinnacle & 888:

'Dear Sirs,


I am writing this email to you because I have a gambling addiction.


Over a period of time, due to my addiction and desperation, I have found myself in a financial situation that needs addressing before I get myself deeper and even more depressed than I already am.


I am looking for your help to get over my addiction by banning me from opening an account of any kind wether that be to place bets, use the casino option or to play poker on your site if you offer that service. What details would you need from me to help me with this situation so that you could prevent me from placing any bets or wagering any money of any kind on any of your services and as I've said, opening an account in the first place if I have a weak moment?


I appreciate your time in reading this and hope you will help me recover my life.



Kind Regards'


If anybody here can list some more websites I can forward this email to I'd appreciate it.

Thanks.

 

[TrueBlue]

Coral - Betterbet - Skybet

 

[OldBlueLady]

Yeah, that's why I divorced my ex. Got to debts totalling 6 figures despite my trying to find help/counselling for him and him refusing to engage. Gambling is the new smoking, okay to advertise for now but give it a few years and you'll be a pariah.
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk/

 

[Pubey]

I'm sure it's a personal issue but how can you possibly let someone (or possibly manage to) rack up a 6 figure gambling debt?

 

[Pubey]

I have just sent the following email to Ladbrokes, William Hill, Bet365, BetVictor, Stan James, Paddy Power, Pinnacle & 888:

'Dear Sirs,


I am writing this email to you because I have a gambling addiction.


Over a period of time, due to my addiction and desperation, I have found myself in a financial situation that needs addressing before I get myself deeper and even more depressed than I already am.


I am looking for your help to get over my addiction by banning me from opening an account of any kind wether that be to place bets, use the casino option or to play poker on your site if you offer that service. What details would you need from me to help me with this situation so that you could prevent me from placing any bets or wagering any money of any kind on any of your services and as I've said, opening an account in the first place if I have a weak moment?


I appreciate your time in reading this and hope you will help me recover my life.



Kind Regards'


If anybody here can list some more websites I can forward this email to I'd appreciate it.

Thanks.

Bwin, Boylesports

Well done in trying to address what must be a difficult issue. All the best, and don't be afraid to seek help.

 

[Grayson]

At work we refer people to www.gamcare.org.uk.

Hope that helps, and good luck.

 

[Jam_Man]

I think joining a support group is certainly the way to go.

By emailing the betting firms you are basically asking them to stop you betting, when in reality its you that needs to stop yourself. Ifyou do start betting again in 3 months time doing this will give you a get out clause, "its their fault I placed bets as I told them to stop me."

Get yourself to a support group, and good luck.

 

[MK Shrimper]

I echo what Jammy has said, get help before it's too late.

Gambling is far, far to easy in this country.

 

[Berrichonne shrimper]

First step is to know you have a problem and you seem to,well done,next is to deal with it because it is so much easier to carry on then stop and you seem to be trying,good luck and as others have said enlist all the help you can.
Gambling and drugs and drink are the solid core of addictions but mine are just embarrassing,sex which i kicked 9 years ago and then orange squash which is funny but it nearly killed me,look for a better buzz maybe running or helping people but remeber a addiction my be part of your personality as it is mine but a addiction can affect others around you more than just you.
Good luck mighty and keep us posted as i really think threads like these can help others.

 

[OldBlueLady]

I echo what Jammy has said, get help before it's too late.

Gambling is far, far to easy in this country.

Absolutely agree with that. I don't agree at all with the advertising sponsorship deals that many of these companies have in sport. As I said earlier, they seem to have replaced tobacco advertising by and large.

 

[Mighty Shrimper]

Thank you for the advice which you have all given me. I've been on gamcare.org.uk and have spoken to a couple of people who have advised me to post on the forums they have on a daily basis and to also keep a diary.

I've always dismissed having a problem with gambling simply saying to myself 'Not me, I don't have a problem' but I now realise I've had this problem for the last 10 years. The biggest regret I have is not admitting/realising sooner as I now find myself in a situation that if I can overcome this, can be managed but if I 'fall off the wagon' then I really do fear for myself.

Thanks again.

 

[Swiss Tony]

Yeah, that's why I divorced my ex. Got to debts totalling 6 figures despite my trying to find help/counselling for him and him refusing to engage. Gambling is the new smoking, okay to advertise for now but give it a few years and you'll be a pariah.
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk/

Wanna bet?

 

[Beefy]

I was in Poland last week with a couple of lads, one of which has a serious issue and was gambling hundreds at a time on silly bets during the games. He fluked a 100/1 accumulator the week before returning close to £6k but he was telling us that after that his profits for the month were £2.5k so that gives an idea of how much he'd have been down this month had that accumulator not come in. I don't know his earnings but I don't think he earns anything like the sort of money which can sustain those kinds of losses.

We've got a close mutual friend who was also losing thousands and couldn't go an hour at a time without betting on something. He sought out help a couple of years ago and has turned his life completely around. I just hope this other friend of mine sees the light and does the same.

Well done on acknowledging that you've got a problem and need to do something about it, Mighty Shrimper.

 

[Col.U. Mad]

Best of luck to you Mighty Shrimper :thumbsup:
Bookmakers these days are more like mini casinos, with dogs and horses little more than a sideshow. The proliferation of bookies springing up on the High Street throughout the UK beggars belief. The main reason being so many people are now addicted to the cartoon roulette (fixed odds betting terminals). By law the maximum number of FOBT's allowed in one shop is four. So to get around this rule all they do is open another shop up. In Colchester, there was a 99p shop that had closed down. It was a sizeable unit, so I was quite surprised to see William Hill were going to be the new tenants. They split the unit into two and next door a PayDay loan shop opened up. So not being content with someone doing their monthly wages in there, they can let you have next months wages at a premium so you can lose that too :angry:

 

[Davros]

rather than getting in touch with the individual betting places, maybe it would be easier to get in touch with your bank(s) and ask them to refuse any transactions you attempt with gaming companies? I'm not sure if they can do this, but it is probably in there best interest to help you with what is a financial issue that could also affect them

 

[Col.U. Mad]

You can block access to gambling sites using software
http://www.gamblock.com/index.html

Also, you can "self exclude" yourself from being able to enter a bookmakers. Although you'd have to do it at each individual shop.

In a bookmakers you can use your debit card to load money on to a FOBT. Yet if you buy a lottery ticket you have to pay in cash!

 

[southend4ever]

You can block access to gambling sites using software
http://www.gamblock.com/index.html

Also, you can "self exclude" yourself from being able to enter a bookmakers. Although you'd have to do it at each individual shop.

In a bookmakers you can use your debit card to load money on to a FOBT. Yet if you buy a lottery ticket you have to pay in cash!

I was just about to post this. You can purchase software to install on your PC that will stop you from accessing all of these gambling sites. It has always been the first recommendation that I have received from the online support at Gamcare.

You are not alone. This is a problem faced by many. The problem in my opinion is very much so the online casinos now where you are making transactions and it is just so difficult to appreciate you are dealing with real money after a while. I remember winning over £2k on the slots in just one spin multiple times and whilst the buzz is epic it does lead you into thinking you are invincible. It all goes back in. It's fun but if you can't control it then avoid it. Essentially, my downfall was the competitive nature. I just refused to lose in a session so if I got to 100 down I would then up the stakes for a potentially bigger win with one spin to recover my losses. It spirals. The best feeling is being in control of your money. Walking around not being able to tell someone about your problems is a nightmare and when you start making excuses about not attending certain events because of the cost it hits home.

As someone else says, find ways to enjoy your time and stimulate your mind in a different, healthier manner. Volunteering, exercise, sports club etc. Stick to buying one line on the lottery a week and hope your dreams come true.

Don't be fooled by what you see in betting shops. That guy losing thousands could be a billionaire...

I was gambling and prepared to lose a high percentage of my bank account. I know others who have since told me about their problems. They have all agreed they are a lot better off leaving gambling behind.

Good luck in your quest. It is achievable and you will overcome it if you put your mind to it. If you want to talk further please pm me. Here if you like but don't want to intrude. As you can probably tell without divulging too much I have had my problems too.

You can do it!