[brucey]

Hello all. I’m 25 and have a problem with gambling, particularly online sports betting.

I first started gambling 1.5 years ago. The first couple bets I ever placed being ￡100-￡200 singles on the football. That really should have been an indicator that this wasn’t normal.

Initially scaring myself with the sums I was willing to place, I stopped for a few months. Then started again, at smaller bet sizes, but putting on more of them instead. Just placing completely random unresearched bets, including on foreign matches at 3 am, not sleeping while waiting for the outcome, not bothering to watch the games but just staring at the betting page waiting for the match to be over. I thought to myself this was ridiculous. So I went and tried roulette instead, and lost ￡100 in 5 minutes. Not touched any casino games since, thankfully – I dread to think what would have happened if I had won.

Currently my main weakness is betting on the football transfer market. Because I have won good sums on it, I tell myself that I have the ‚judgement‘ to beat the bookies. Regardless of whether I actually do, it’s become really clear to me that I cannot gamble on it in a controlled manner. I start with ￡20-50 pound bets, which within days turn into ￡200 bets, eventually leading to putting ￡5k on a single bet last summer, on a heavy favourite. Risking almost 3 months‘ wages, for a relatively small return.

I installed a blocker (K9) afterwards, although I did temporarily unblock it a few times, I found the popup enough for me to buy me valuable thinking time and close the browser window. Then I got a new computer and didn’t bother reinstalling it – a problem once the football transfer window reopened in Jan. Once again, bet sizes increased from ￡50 to ￡500 rapidly within 1-2 weeks. It’s become a habit to just hit the ‚max stake‘ button as I feel I don’t want to leave any ‚potential winnings‘ behind should the bet come in, which is stupid.

A couple days ago I woke up, not having slept very well thinking about bets to put on. Still groggy, I went to put on a ￡300 bet at evens which I felt had value. Deposited the money, went to place the bet only to find the market had been suspended seconds before. This made me furious in a way I hadn’t been before. At the same time I saw another tip for a ‚banker‘ to happen at 1/3, and had a massive urge to put ￡1.5k (max stake) on to chase the potential ￡300 winnings plus get some extra. Made me feel a bit sick. I wasn’t chasing a loss, but worse, I was chasing ‚lost‘ potential winnings from a bet I had not even placed. I managed to stop myself, but I realise this is escalating and getting out of control.

Initially I gambled for the excitement, then for the greed, now I am completely numb to gambling and I don’t feel anything, win or lose. Not just that, the amount of time I spend thinking about bets when at work, at home, or even when people are talking to me is ridiculous. Thankfully I am not in debt and nowhere near hitting rock bottom, but I have read many stories on forums over the past few months, and the similarities are astounding.

I still have a number of unsettled bets but I have put time-outs on all my accounts until the end of the transfer window when they will be settled. I have also reinstalled K9, I will need to change the password to a random letter/number combination to make it harder to unblock once the bets have settled. I have also arranged an appointment with a counsellor, I feel I use gambling as a way to escape from various longstanding issues which I have put off seeing anyone about for far too many years.

Anyway – Day 1.

[velvet]

Hello Brucey and thanks for starting a thread in the Gambling Therapy forums

Here at Gambling Therapy we pride ourselves on being a caring and diverse online community who can help and support you with the difficulties you’re currently facing. We understand that this might be a tough time for you, particularly if you’re new to recovery, so come here as often as you need to and participate in the forums, access online groups and connect to the live advice helpline if you need one to one support. We’re in this together!

Here on the forum you can share your experiences in a safe, supportive and accepting environment. The beauty of writing it all down is that you can take your time and you will be creating a record of your progress that you can look back on if it ever feels like you’re not moving forward. So, share as much or as little as you like but do try to stick to keeping just one thread in this forum so people know where to find you if they want to be updated on your progress or share something with you.

As well as the forums New Members are invited to join Charles in the New Members Practical Advice Group On Mondays at 21:00 (UK) and Thursday at 19:00(UK)

And on that note….

I’m going to hand you over to our community because I’m sure they will have some words of wisdom for you ??

Take care

The Gambling Therapy Team

PS: Let me just remind you to take a look at our privacy policy and terms and conditions so you know how it all works!

[i-did-it]

Hi Brucey ,
Well done on Starting a thread –
None of us think it will happen to us – so we are powerless to stop ourselves becoming addicted .
However now that we know we have this addiction we can take steps to stop.
I hope to meet you in chat again soon .

[finding_laura]

Hi Brucey and welcome to the forum. I see there are several other new members who have joined who indicate they have sport betting issues and are also around your age. Perhaps you guys can offer support to each other to make it through the urges. Counseling is a very good idea and I’m glad to see that you recognize the link between escape gambling and past issues. Most CG’s are very smart people. We have been hooked by an addiction and need to take some tough steps to protect ourselves. Well done on the steps you have taken! Hope to see your posts in the future.
take care,
Laura

[TTA]

Really nice to see you started a thread and even better news to hear you have booked the dates to see a councillor. Have been hoping to hear a update after chatting the other day.

I firmly believe that regardless of personal circumstances and stage of recovery we are at, have experienced everything you are saying and understand.

Hopefully see you on chat later tonight

[TTA]

In chat buddy! Not long left but will be on at 2am as well! Hopefully we can catch up?

[Autor]

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