Debts (mainly) through gambling

asparagus18

First post, very scared and ashamed. Everybody else on this board seems to have ended up in debt 'through no fault of their own'. Here's a different angle for a change.

Large debts, mainly due to online gambling. No income other than JSA, been looking for a job since February. Bankruptcy seems the only option, living in jointly owned property with some equity, resigned to losing the house, really just want it all to be over with, and be able to sleep and eat again. How will the gambling be viewed by the OR? Am I going to end up in prison?


Just curious to see what people's opinions are (I'm not trolling). Let the abuse roll in.

fiveyearplan

Hi and welcome asparagus18! You are not the only one on here who ended up bankrupt through they own doing - most of us have in one way or another whether it was wreckless spending, bad decisions etc. I think it would look better for you if you started to go to Gamblers' Anonymous as it will show you are taking steps to solve the problem. We have had some people on here who were bankrupt due to gambling so you are not the only one. You may be subject to a BRO which means some of the restrictions of bankruptcy will stay with you longer than the 12 months but nothing really to worry about - and you will NOT be going to prison for gambling.

Bethankim

Hiya and welcome,

no abuse here i have no room to judge anyone and i think you will find support.

first off have you sought advice - you need to contact one of the debt charities either CCCS or national debt line if you look at the sticky at the top you will find the contact details - sorry i really should knows these by now but tired brain.

once you have done that, you can make an informed decision and you will need to show you have sought advice before you can go bankrupt.

as for how the OR views it, im not sure but your not the first to face it there is a really good thread on here i shall find it for you, the diary of a broken gambler..there is lots of good info, support and advice.

but most of all well done for admitting you have a problem and facing it, beleive it or not you have probably taken the hardest step

Feelingfoolish_3

Hi As

Well done for taking the first step - you will have amazing support on here xx

asparagus18

Thank you for the kind and non-judgmental replies so far, much appreciated.

How about obtaining credit under false pretense (not sure if this is the correct legal term), i.e. accepting an offer for a consolidation loan when no longer in paid employment. Surely this is a criminal offense?

elfieb

asparagus18 wrote: »

Thank you for the kind and non-judgmental replies so far, much appreciated.

How about obtaining credit under false pretense (not sure if this is the correct legal term), i.e. accepting an offer for a consolidation loan when no longer in paid employment. Surely this is a criminal offense?

That would be very difficult to prove, assuming that you didnt accept the credit one day knowing full well you couldnt pay it back, and go file for bankruptcy the next???
I would prepare yourself for a BRU though. the OR will investigate EVERYTHING!

Lost2

You aren't the first asparagus and you wont be the last.
Good Luck to you and I hope you get help soon

Amiga

Hello there,

I am in the same boat myself, I went Bankrupt on the 19th of this month

I have done a diary of sorts to try and help, sorry I can't link to it as I am a bit rubbish with computers!

The advice and support there was outstanding! Please give it a read and hopefully it will help a little

Have you stopped gambling now? If not a good site is Gamcare.com. They have online advisors that can help you and point you in the direction of some help.

Apart from that, the advice here is gold, go get some advice on the debts, BR may not be suitable for you, so go get the advice. If they say yes it is then come back and people here can and will help you a bit further


http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1802595&highlight=diary+broken+gambler

That is the link

asparagus18 wrote: »

First post, very scared and ashamed. Everybody else on this board seems to have ended up in debt 'through no fault of their own'. Here's a different angle for a change.

Large debts, mainly due to online gambling. No income other than JSA, been looking for a job since February. Bankruptcy seems the only option, living in jointly owned property with some equity, resigned to losing the house, really just want it all to be over with, and be able to sleep and eat again. How will the gambling be viewed by the OR? Am I going to end up in prison?


Just curious to see what people's opinions are (I'm not trolling). Let the abuse roll in.

JCS1

How much a total gambling losses compared to total debts? Anything above 15% (I think) and the OR will be looking at a BRO/BRU.

But please do seek help with the gambling, as this will go in your favour with the OR.

alocacoc

hi one massive word of reassuring advice is dont think your the first and they havent seen it before your gonna walk in and there gonna be gobsmacked because youve gambled, theyve probably delt with 50 people that week 5 of which in the same scenario and 20 10x worse