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Topic Originator: Dave_1885
Date: Mon 9 Feb 18:56
Signed up today for Gamstop, the online betting blocker……I realised over the weekend I was spending too much needlessly chasing bets and the big wins, instead of saving and pushing for a better life for myself and my family. The feeling of anxiety over it is surprisingly bigger than I anticipated.
Was wondering if others have done the same and how they coped with it at the start?
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Topic Originator: Bletchley_Par
Date: Mon 9 Feb 19:02
Worse thing I`ve ever done.
Sure, I may have gave the bookies less money but I really miss a spin on the games in the wee small hours or a quick bet if I get a tip.
I don`t mind goiing to the bookies to bet on the nags.
I have 1 year left of suspention left.
If you are spending too much and are not enjoying it you have done the right thing, it`s tough at first though.
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Topic Originator: jake89
Date: Mon 9 Feb 20:27
Best of luck with it Dave. You`re doing the right thing for you and your family.
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Topic Originator: NMCmassive
Date: Mon 9 Feb 23:04
Fair play for coming onto the public forum and starting a thread.
I really hope you get what you need but you’re opening the door and giving opportunities to others as well. Even if they don’t post about it here, they might see it and make the decision to address their own situation.
COYP
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Topic Originator: red-star-par
Date: Mon 9 Feb 23:12
You have 100% made the right decision, gambling is a scourge on society.
My dad always gave me the advice that you don`t see any poor bookies, and that gamblers only tell you about it when they win.
I am actually quite successful at gambling in that I usually win enough to wipe my face on account of the way I place my bets, but I have had situations in the past where I have beat the bookies for months on end for big money. Do you know what they do in that situation? They close your account and give you the money in the account. They aren`t interested in a relationship with people who win, they only want the losers to beg with them. The best thing to do is to not gamble
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Topic Originator: Turps
Date: Tue 10 Feb 13:19
Used a similar service and stopped 6-7 years ago.
Hard at first but doesn`t take long until you get to the mindset of not missing it.
100% better off mentally as well as financially.
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Topic Originator: Dave_1885
Date: Tue 10 Feb 14:50
Cheers for the advice and letting me known Ive made the right choice - well except Beltchley 😂
On a positive note I did track my football bets from the start of the league cup this year and ended that on a very nice profit, so maybe will feel a bit better knowing Ive stopped on a winning season.
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Topic Originator: buffy
Date: Tue 10 Feb 16:06
I’m hope you’re able to get back to being yersel with the family, Dave. I’ve known a couple of pals who became completely overwhelmed and isolated from gambling but they’re now on the road to recovery.
I was encouraged to visit a betting shop one day years ago. I hadn’t a scooby what it entailed and once I was through the door and reached the front of the queue to the counter I was so flummoxed and bamboozled that I squeaked “where’s yer toilet please?!?”
Needless to say I’ve never ventured back. 😵💫
”Buffy’s Buns are the finest in Fife”, J. Spence 2019”
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Topic Originator: Bletchley_Par
Date: Tue 10 Feb 16:18
Quote:
Topic Originator: Dave_1885
Date: Tue 10 Feb 14:50
Cheers for the advice and letting me known Ive made the right choice - well except Beltchley 😂
I never said you have not made the right choice, you asked for people`s experience of this subject and I gave you mine.
I specifically said if "If you are spending too much and are not enjoying it you have done the right thing"
If you just wanted validation you should have said....so...
It sounds lkie you are doing the right thing, well done and good luck.
Post Edited (Tue 10 Feb 16:22)
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Topic Originator: Rusty Shackleford
Date: Tue 10 Feb 17:29
Quote:
NMCmassive, Mon 9 Feb 23:04
Fair play for coming onto the public forum and starting a thread.
I really hope you get what you need but you’re opening the door and giving opportunities to others as well. Even if they don’t post about it here, they might see it and make the decision to address their own situation.
Totally. All the very, very best Dave mate
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Topic Originator: Dave_1885
Date: Tue 10 Feb 19:40
Quote:
Bletchley_Par, Tue 10 Feb 16:18
Quote:
Topic Originator: Dave_1885
Date: Tue 10 Feb 14:50
Cheers for the advice and letting me known Ive made the right choice - well except Beltchley 😂
I never said you have not made the right choice, you asked for people`s experience of this subject and I gave you mine.
I specifically said if "If you are spending too much and are not enjoying it you have done the right thing"
If you just wanted validation you should have said....so...
It sounds lkie you are doing the right thing, well done and good luck.
I can only apologise BP, I must have misinterpreted it/rushed through it and overlooked stuff 🤦🏻♂️ cheers for the support 👍🏻
Post Edited (Tue 10 Feb 19:41)
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Topic Originator: Bletchley_Par
Date: Tue 10 Feb 20:16
No bother dude.
I don`t think I needed 7 years away from it, that decision was a bit rushed.
I was just blowing any winnings on slots.
Dogwalking helped.
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Topic Originator: Never10yairds
Date: Tue 10 Feb 21:10
Much like red star, I’ve had bookies accounts closed in the past because I was beating them. I had a good system on betting trebles in the Scottish lower leagues and spotting single bets I judged to be a wrong price. A friend of my dad who worked as an odds compiler told me most bookies paid very little attention to Scottish lower leagues, so if you knew a team was decimated with injuries or illness there was always a fair chance the price hadn’t been updated to reflect that.
I rarely bother with it now. It’s not something I ever found addictive, I did enjoy beating them over a season though.
Good luck in staying off it Dave, if you’re not winning it’s no fun, especially if you are losing more than you are comfortable with.
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Topic Originator: NikNakPar
Date: Sat 14 Feb 02:12
Quote:
Dave_1885, Mon 9 Feb 18:56
Signed up today for Gamstop, the online betting blocker……I realised over the weekend I was spending too much needlessly chasing bets and the big wins, instead of saving and pushing for a better life for myself and my family. The feeling of anxiety over it is surprisingly bigger than I anticipated.
Was wondering if others have done the same and how they coped with it at the start?
Another useful tool is Gamban. Register with them quick convo and they send link to download software on your phone for free that prevents you accessing any form of gambling sites. I needed this extra deterrent along side gamstop as still used prize pages and non gamstop sites. You can set how long it’s on your phone for. You cannot delete it or disable it. Only way around it is to get a new phone. You may not be that bad that you would need this but good option to know about for some.
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Topic Originator: GG Riva
Date: Thu 12 Mar 16:45
I`m trying to help a friend (honest!) to overcome his online gambling addition. He has followed my advice to the letter, cutting up his gambling card, handing over control of all income to his wife, and banning himself using an online betting blocker. So far, so good.
I`ve heard that there are ways to get round this blocker, if your addiction is particularly severe. I`m wondering how that can possibly happen, if you have no access to your own income? Are we talking about pawning valuables or borrowing from loan sharks? Any info would be appreciated as I`m in contact with his wife, who is an absolute saint for sticking by him.
I`ve also suggested he make an appointment with a psychotherapist with experience in cognitive behaviour therapy.
Not your average Sunday League player.
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Topic Originator: Bletchley_Par
Date: Thu 12 Mar 17:22
Quote:
Topic Originator: GG Riva
Date: Thu 12 Mar 16:45
I`m trying to help a friend (honest!) to overcome his online gambling addition. He has followed my advice to the letter, cutting up his gambling card, handing over control of all income to his wife, and banning himself using an online betting blocker. So far, so good.
I`ve heard that there are ways to get round this blocker, if your addiction is particularly severe. I`m wondering how that can possibly happen, if you have no access to your own income? Are we talking about pawning valuables or borrowing from loan sharks? Any info would be appreciated as I`m in contact with his wife, who is an absolute saint for sticking by him.
I`ve also suggested he make an appointment with a psychotherapist with experience in cognitive behaviour therapy.
There are sites based abroad that do not work with gamestop or other prevention methods, he could probably gamble on them with a pre-paid debit card and in a weak moment if he can, he will.
Do everything you can to keep him off these sites, they are dodgy as hell.
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Topic Originator: Pars_1986
Date: Thu 12 Mar 19:02
Boy I worked with ran up mega debts and lost everything he is now an ambassador for gambling addiction and also has his own facebook page called takeleap. He`s also releasing an app to help addiction of all kinds not just gambling. He goes around places talking about his addiction and what hes done to over come it.
He was ment to be doing a chat with our players also but that got knocked on the head when we got bought over and gamdon etc came into sponsor us etc so got nail on the head. how true this part is im not sure but the boys no reason to lie about it either. But anyway could be worth a look at as he lost serious amounts of money etc even to the point his lunch breaks were used to put a bet on
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Topic Originator: Dave_1885
Date: Thu 12 Mar 21:17
Gamstop also only blocks online gaming - I could still walk into Ladbrokes or Genting and place bets with cash if I fancied it. The problem with online is how quick and easy it is to gamble on.
Im glad to say Im over a month without any sort of bet now and don’t even feel the need to return to it. Still get anxiety about it and about money, but I guess thats probably added to by other external issues (thanks Donald 🙄😂)
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Topic Originator: NikNakPar
Date: Fri 13 Mar 19:24
Quote:
GG Riva, Thu 12 Mar 16:45
I`m trying to help a friend (honest!) to overcome his online gambling addition. He has followed my advice to the letter, cutting up his gambling card, handing over control of all income to his wife, and banning himself using an online betting blocker. So far, so good.
I`ve heard that there are ways to get round this blocker, if your addiction is particularly severe. I`m wondering how that can possibly happen, if you have no access to your own income? Are we talking about pawning valuables or borrowing from loan sharks? Any info would be appreciated as I`m in contact with his wife, who is an absolute saint for sticking by him.
I`ve also suggested he make an appointment with a psychotherapist with experience in cognitive behaviour therapy.
I was in same boat as your friend. I borrowed from anyone and everyone to gamble. There was absolutely no stopping me. I wasn’t honest about all my income to partner and family so I had secret money so to speak that I could waste. I had every prevention tool in place and still managed to gamble. In my opinion until the individual with the issue starts helping themselves they will still find a way.
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Topic Originator: GG Riva
Date: Sat 14 Mar 08:20
Quote:
NikNakPar, Fri 13 Mar 19:24
I was in same boat as your friend. I borrowed from anyone and everyone to gamble. There was absolutely no stopping me. I wasn’t honest about all my income to partner and family so I had secret money so to speak that I could waste. I had every prevention tool in place and still managed to gamble. In my opinion until the individual with the issue starts helping themselves they will still find a way.
Thanks, NikNakPar, I really appreciate you coming on and opening up about your addiction. My friend has been similarly dishonest and is very fortunate he hasn`t lost his family and his job. He could even have ended up in jail. I know everyone`s different but did you get professional help or were you able to escape your addiction by your own efforts?
Not your average Sunday League player.
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Topic Originator: NikNakPar
Date: Sun 15 Mar 22:00
Quote:
GG Riva, Sat 14 Mar 08:20
Quote:
NikNakPar, Fri 13 Mar 19:24
I was in same boat as your friend. I borrowed from anyone and everyone to gamble. There was absolutely no stopping me. I wasn’t honest about all my income to partner and family so I had secret money so to speak that I could waste. I had every prevention tool in place and still managed to gamble. In my opinion until the individual with the issue starts helping themselves they will still find a way.
Thanks, NikNakPar, I really appreciate you coming on and opening up about your addiction. My friend has been similarly dishonest and is very fortunate he hasn`t lost his family and his job. He could even have ended up in jail. I know everyone`s different but did you get professional help or were you able to escape your addiction by your own efforts?
Sorry just see this.
I had attempted to stop numerous times
Over a period of about 3 years. The first time I went to meetings but although they may help others they never done a thing to me. I actually came away from the meetings with an even bigger urge to gamble but everyone is different that was just my experience. I eventually stopped myself. Main things were getting rid of smart phone so I couldn’t access through my phone. To me that was the biggest help to stopping the cycle of gambling at nights when bored. Few other things were just changing routine at times I would usually gamble to give me something else to do. Even though my addiction was extreme at one point after 3-4 weeks of not gambling I felt free from it. Any slight urge I was able to stop myself by thinking about the aftermath of me gambling rather than the excitement I would get from the actual time gambling. As I said though the person with the addiction has to deep down really want to stop if they don’t want to stop but are being forced to or made to feel pushed into stopping then for me they won’t. It has to be their decision.
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Topic Originator: GG Riva
Date: Mon 16 Mar 06:10
Cheers again, NikNak. The information you give above is very helpful. My friend`s wife is now in sole charge of his income. He`s destroyed the card he used for gambling and has been told he`ll lose his family if he starts gambling again. He told me he`s relieved to have been found out and is now sleeping at night. I suggested psychotherapy, but he saw a psychologist instead. I told him that eventually he won`t feel a strong urge to gamble and pleased t3hat you`ve confirmed that. I did a bit of gambling in the early 70s and completely lost the value of money. When I won, I would increase my stake on the next race because I was "playing with the bookie`s money" and buying drinks for my mates.... 🙄
Not your average Sunday League player.
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Topic Originator: NikNakPar
Date: Mon 16 Mar 13:03
Quote:
GG Riva, Mon 16 Mar 06:10
Cheers again, NikNak. The information you give above is very helpful. My friend`s wife is now in sole charge of his income. He`s destroyed the card he used for gambling and has been told he`ll lose his family if he starts gambling again. He told me he`s relieved to have been found out and is now sleeping at night. I suggested psychotherapy, but he saw a psychologist instead. I told him that eventually he won`t feel a strong urge to gamble and pleased t3hat you`ve confirmed that. I did a bit of gambling in the early 70s and completely lost the value of money. When I won, I would increase my stake on the next race because I was "playing with the bookie`s money" and buying drinks for my mates.... 🙄
My addiction started when I won a large amount from free spins. Before that I done a weekly coupon on a Saturday and never touched slots or anything else. I found myself chasing that win. What I began to realise was it didn’t matter how much I won. It wasn’t about winning I genuinely believe I got addicted to losing money and having nothing. Others have said the same. On one occasion I won £7500 and rather than cashing it and walking away I continued to play and lost the lot over a few hours. Unfortunately that was only one of many times that happened. I got paid monthly at one point at my worst and I spent my entire months wage before I went to work that morning. No bills paid no shopping done nothing. Some people really don’t understand it though and some close family members to me were impossible to reach out to as they just said it was selfish of me and I could stop etc. so I’m glad your friend seems to have the support. Fully understand your friend saying he feels relieved it’s all out as when I kept it to myself it was seriously bringing me down. If your friend is genuinely trying but at some point has a relapse it’s important he is still supported rather than cut off as I feel that would just end badly for all involved. I understand it must be hard for close family and friends to understand but i can’t stress how important the support is from them to your friend. This may be difficult as he is not in control of his finances at the moment but what I done was reward myself every couple of weeks with the money I had from not gambling. Hopefully your friend beats this addiction but tell him from me it’s a much better life for himself and his family if he fights any urges and stops.
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Topic Originator: jake89
Date: Mon 16 Mar 13:57
Have to say the comments on here should be shared in schools to show kids why not to get into gambling. Really refreshing to read them and hope everyone affected is doing okay.
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Topic Originator: GG Riva
Date: Tue 17 Mar 14:46
Thanks again for such detailed and helpful information above, NikNakPar.
Quote:
jake89, Mon 16 Mar 13:57
Have to say the comments on here should be shared in schools to show kids why not to get into gambling. Really refreshing to read them and hope everyone affected is doing okay.
That`s a very good shout, Jake. Gambling plays havoc with mental and social health.
Not your average Sunday League player.
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Topic Originator: Playup_Pompey
Date: Tue 17 Mar 15:14
some good conversation here and respect to the guys for sharing their stories. Not something ive ever really struggled to control, thankfully "topping up" betting accounts is a realisation that ive spent/lost money and wonder should I be doing it again. Have had "winning" spells where id go running and take my phone to see if I would get a "tip" on a bet and plod along mid run trying to get a bet on.
The amount of betting advertising even with them all having the "gamble aware" disclaimers around them is very alarming and can see how people can become "addicted"
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Topic Originator: Dave_1885
Date: Tue 17 Mar 15:18
Quote:
Playup_Pompey, Tue 17 Mar 15:14
some good conversation here and respect to the guys for sharing their stories. Not something ive ever really struggled to control, thankfully "topping up" betting accounts is a realisation that ive spent/lost money and wonder should I be doing it again. Have had "winning" spells where id go running and take my phone to see if I would get a "tip" on a bet and plod along mid run trying to get a bet on.
The amount of betting advertising even with them all having the "gamble aware" disclaimers around them is very alarming and can see how people can become "addicted"
Im glad I started this thread even just to find out I haven’t been the only one with this dilemma. Topping up accounts is always a danger as you start losing track of deposits through banking and betting apps. It’s why I kept track this season before dropping out.
I agree on the adverts - when you think about it, it’s everywhere. Most adverts on Talksport are for BetMGM/Talkbet etc so it makes it harder hearing the offers etc!
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Topic Originator: TAFKA_Super_Petrie
Date: Tue 17 Mar 16:56
Sobering stuff here but interesting reading.
I used to gamble fairly often when i was younger but thankfully it never became an issue and `chasing` would not really come into my head if i did lose. Football coupon every week and also a regular dabble in the PGA golf.
My weakness was always the puggy`s in a bar or even better still the bigger jackpot ones in working mens clubs and snooker halls, especially if you`d be five or six pints deep and just got a round and had a couple of coins rattling about.
Bizzarely that never translated to casinos or video slots online which have never interested or appealed - probably a good thing - even now in a pub i don`t go near them as the old school puggy seems to be a thing of the past and replaced with these god awful fixed odds rainbow riches style touch screen rubbish.
On the flip side of that i had two close pals who really had an issue. One was crippled by addiction to the fixed odds roullette terminals in the high street bookies. End game similar to your story GG. No bank account and wife controls all finances and he gets a cash allowance when he is out. Harsh as it sounds he seems to have a handle on it for 10+ years now and father hood seems to have given a big reality check.
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"People always talk about Ronaldinho and magic, but I didn't see him today. I saw Henrik Larsson; that's where the magic was."
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