Gambling Debts - Can anyone give me some advice

JulieBarlow

I have run up massive debts (£28,000) due to a gambling addiction. I gambled online using credit cards when I was suffering from severe depression and now I am struggling to pay back my debts although I haven't missed a payment yet and am trying my best to pay it all back. Whenever I look into managing debts, IVAs, etc. it says gambling debts are not enforcable so gambling debts should not be included. Can someone tell me where I stand then because all my debts are due to gambling but they are on credit cards so I am wondering if I can find a way out of debt by somehow writing off the gambling debts on my credit cards. Is this possible?

P.S. I have tackled my gambling addiction and have installed Gamblock on my computer so now it's just sorting the debt out that is my main concern.

lynzpower

Hi there Julie

Ive never heard about this gamling debts not being able to be added to an IVA, but maybe a DMP would suit you better if you are unable to continue paying it off yourself independently

Have you done an SOA before , look at Southern Scousers sticky First time posters have a good read and pop a SOA up and we can look over it and see if there are any savings.

Are you recieving regular support. Pobby recommends a US based chatboard for extra support, ( theres a gambling thread in families & relatioships, I know he has posted the details of it in there) might be worth a look too

Love
lynz
x

Tr@cker

Where did you do the gambling out of interest ? Gambling debts are not legally enforceable but that only applies where you bet directly on credit granted by a bookmaker. Im afraid your debts acrued on credit cards ARE legally enforceable regardless of how you spent the money.
Internet gambling is a growing problem (see for example the GA website and some of the horror stories on there) The government-at least in this Country-seem unwilling to do anything by way of regulating credit associated with gambling, indeed they are about to make problem gambling considerably worse generally with supercasino. Im disgusted with Labour on this issue.
You've done the right thing with the blocking software, stay well away from gambling.

lynzpower

Also, I forgot to say, good luck with stopping gambling. It isnt easy Im sure, but one day at a time, and get as much support and help as you can

Hugs
Lynz
x

Mercuryrising

Hi juliebarlow - good luck with stopping gambling. I can completely relate to you as I have just over 30 grand of debt due to this illness. Personally I have found Gamblers Anonymous vital in my recovery and now I feel much happier that I can break this addiction.

I did phone the CCCS a few months ago and it didn't appear that gambling could make much of a difference - it's just another debt that needs to be paid off. I have decided against a DMP/IVA at the moment because I think I can just about pay off.

Good luck with your recovery and remember to work on it daily - I had a slip a few months ago, it can creep up on you any time.

Zulu_Dawn

I would also recommend checking out the Gordon House website. They have an active forum and lots of support and encouragement to CGs.

I would thoroughly recommend looking closely at a DMP as it will limit your access to credit and make your recovery from gambling much easier.

Take care.

ZD

postingalwaysposting

juile good advice so far but i just want to say welldone :T for facing up to it and another well done for trying to stop, i cant help with the iva/dmp but if you stick up your soa i am sure i can add something (if others dont get in there first) good luck

sarah_skint

Hi julie I am also here to this problem my debt is now approx approx 50k I turned to gambling to block out family problems, my sister turned to drink, my god that would have been cheaper!! But we are all here to help please post an SOA
Sarah