Gambling

Sncjw

Hi I don't know where to put this.


I have had the odd flutter on gambling machines. When I was in uni I did gamble a lot of my bursary and felt so guilty about it. I did stop as other things took over.

Anyways lately I have been using online bingo site and have set limits but removed them today.
Today I've spent £350 on it. I am not wanting to get in debt over this and I am trying to save for a house deposit. I still have a fair bit of money saved so not a massive dent but I need to try and stop this before I loose control.

How do I stop this.

I can control myself with scratch cards only get max of 2 £1 cards at a time.

Please help I didn't know where to put this. I would say I'm addicted as it hasn't caused great financial problems and not affecting family.

Please help

HappyMJ

Sncjw wrote: »

Hi I don't know where to put this.


I have had the odd flutter on gambling machines. When I was in uni I did gamble a lot of my bursary and felt so guilty about it. I did stop as other things took over.

Anyways lately I have been using online bingo site and have set limits but removed them today.
Today I've spent £350 on it. I am not wanting to get in debt over this and I am trying to save for a house deposit. I still have a fair bit of money saved so not a massive dent but I need to try and stop this before I loose control.

How do I stop this.

I can control myself with scratch cards only get max of 2 £1 cards at a time.

Please help I didn't know where to put this. I would say I'm addicted as it hasn't caused great financial problems and not affecting family.

Please help

If gambling is a problem then you need to get someone to install K9 Web Protection on to your computer and not tell you the password. They can filter out the gambling sites...along with a host of other malicious sites too.

You then need to have the self control to not go and buy another computer to get around that.

Westie983

Try gam care,

http://www.gamcare.org.uk

They will have the tips to help you,

Gazzafatcityboy

Hi there,


As other poster says please get something to block using gambling websites online.


If it is just bingo then it should be fine, if it is getting more than that then it will become more serious.


I am a reformed gambler who still buys lottery now and again, sometimes places a football bet but nothing major.


You are best to hit it on the head now as I have lost ten years of my life to this disease. I nearly lost all my family, and my life.


I spent my student loan in three days when I was at uni which was the worst feeling in the world.


If you need anymore help then given then please give me a shout. I gambled on everything that is possible and won/lost too much money to mention.


Regards


Gary

Newdirections

Hi.

Others have mentioned the online blocking software, and I think this is crucial as it gives that "cooling off" period where you can come to your senses. I would also advise telling as many of the people you care about (close, loved ones) about your ongoing concerns. This not only removes the shame/having to hide your behaviour, but also enables them to help you.

Good luck.

battyboimatt

You can also self exclude from all the sites you are registered with as well

National_Debtline

Sncjw wrote: »

Anyways lately I have been using online bingo site and have set limits but removed them today.
Today I've spent £350 on it. I am not wanting to get in debt over this and I am trying to save for a house deposit. I still have a fair bit of money saved so not a massive dent but I need to try and stop this before I loose control.

How do I stop this.

I can control myself with scratch cards only get max of 2 £1 cards at a time.

Please help I didn't know where to put this. I would say I'm addicted as it hasn't caused great financial problems and not affecting family.

Please help

Hi Sncjw


First question is - are you acknowledging that you have an addiction? From the bit I've highlighted above it would seem that you are, but when I read it more closely it reads as though you have made a typo and in fact meant to write "I wouldn't say I'm addicted, as..."


This is the fundamental issue. Online blocking software and the like will address some of the symptoms but not the cause - it won't, for example, stop you from being able to buy more scratch cards to fill any perceived "gap". Please contact one or both of the following for support:


http://www.gamcare.org.uk/


http://gamblersanonymous.org.uk/


Dennis
@natdebtline

andyfromotley

Hi SNCJW.

I am glad that you feel able to tell us about this problem. You are in great danger of going on a gambling spree. I agree with the others on here about blocking sodtware and self exclusion however they are really only treating the symptoms not the cause. I am fairly confident that you are a compulsive gambler, you have a disease gambling, which is progressive, it will get worse.

However help is at hand. I see that someone has posted the gamcare details above, look into that. However i am as convinced as i can be that the only lasting cure for the majority of compulsive gamblers is a Gamblers Anonymous. Check out thier website and find a local meeting. You will find a warm welcome and friendly ear. You can recover, you can live a happy productive life and have a normal way of thinking and living. In my experience it is unlikely that you will acheive this without outside help.

You are not alone, there are many many thousands of compulsive gamblers with sucessful recoveries who are walking with you every step of the way. You are in my thoughts.

HappyMJ

andyfromotley wrote: »

Hi SNCJW.

I am glad that you feel able to tell us about this problem. You are in great danger of going on a gambling spree. I agree with the others on here about blocking sodtware and self exclusion however they are really only treating the symptoms not the cause. I am fairly confident that you are a compulsive gambler, you have a disease gambling, which is progressive, it will get worse.

However help is at hand. I see that someone has posted the gamcare details above, look into that. However i am as convinced as i can be that the only lasting cure for the majority of compulsive gamblers is a Gamblers Anonymous. Check out thier website and find a local meeting. You will find a warm welcome and friendly ear. You can recover, you can live a happy productive life and have a normal way of thinking and living. In my experience it is unlikely that you will acheive this without outside help.

You are not alone, there are many many thousands of compulsive gamblers with sucessful recoveries who are walking with you every step of the way. You are in my thoughts.

They did say they have plenty of money in the bank and it hasn't caused financial difficulty or family problems so how is it compulsive if they only occasionally buy a few scratch cards and the occasional play on bingo with money they have at hand. They haven't stolen it nor have they used the rent money to gamble with or borrowed money to gamble.

I don't think it's compulsive gambling at all. It's problem gambling in that they can't stay within the limits they have previously set but it's not compulsive.

By that reckoning the majority of the population would be considered compulsive gamblers as they buy a lottery ticket every week and I would probably be one of worst offenders.

Delete33

Hi HappyMJ:o, what is this site K9? what does it do? any info would be much appreciated.

andyfromotley

HappyMJ wrote: »

They did say they have plenty of money in the bank and it hasn't caused financial difficulty or family problems so how is it compulsive if they only occasionally buy a few scratch cards and the occasional play on bingo with money they have at hand. They haven't stolen it nor have they used the rent money to gamble with or borrowed money to gamble.

I don't think it's compulsive gambling at all. It's problem gambling in that they can't stay within the limits they have previously set but it's not compulsive.

By that reckoning the majority of the population would be considered compulsive gamblers as they buy a lottery ticket every week and I would probably be one of worst offenders.

Thats ok we have differing views but i'll stick with my take on it.