Just won 300k online gambling- AMA!

[1inamillionodds]

(name change as no one knows I gamble irl)

I have been playing online gambling for last 2 years. Usual win is 2k but rarely and usually I’d lose it all again anyway.

have managed to win 300000 euros (it’s a non uk website as I’d previously signed up to Gamstop)… anyway they have slow withdrawal limits which mean
2k/day - max 15k a month

I am so scared I will play through it all again
but this is a life changing amount of money and I hope I can wait it out to withdraw albeit very slowly

It was power up roulette @Iloveleaveinconditioner (3 power ups last one x500)

I do admit I have a problem but I am also in shock at such a large win.

i also know it’s not as easy as I don’t want to do it again so I won’t- but I will do everything I can to never gamble again. The first step is to want to stop in any addiction so I am going to do this for my child and his future.

I’m so scared for you OP. Do you think that you can stop all gambling straight away? If not, then you will end up trying to make up for any losses you have.
Please get help before it’s too late xx

There was a woman on This Morning(I think this week( Situation sounds v similar to you re win. She won near 130k over 10 years ago. Paid off mortgage etc...then lost everything as continued to gamble ( even on wedding day..in Vegas!). She was basically 'saved' by joining Gamblers Anonymous. Maybe you should contact them now and explain what has happened and your fears re trusting people to help manage money etc

Employ a lawyer or financial advisor to withdraw the money for you each month and transfer it to savings that you can't access. Get them to change the password to your gambling account and instruct them not to give you access to the savings account until all the money has been withdrawn. Then get help for your addiction and see if you can beat it before the money is withdrawn.

As someone who has dealt with a gambling addiction in close family I beleive you will lose it all.
It's usually when people hit actual rock bottom that they do something about their addiction, not when they 'end on a high'. Never happens.
You need to do everything in your power to stop. I don't understand how you have managed it with gamblock and blocked cards, you must of been trying really hard to gamble with those measures in place.

And sorry but the fact you are all excited and posting ask me anything shows you have no understanding of the trap you are in. Lost 20k in 2 years, I would bet its 3 x times in reality.

I am allowed to be excited about a life changing win!
I will keep this thread updated with how much I take out but it is interesting that a lot of replies have been quite negative in terms of expecting to lose it all…

I think this is why I haven’t told people in real life. Everyone has their vices… this is mine and I will stop.

I have previously taken steps to stop which helped but it’s actually very easy to start accounts with non uk licensed online casinos- I am looking at how to stop accessing those also so I stop any future temptation.

I am also building up courage to tell my best friend so I will be accountable for transferring the money to my son’s savings account. It’s money I don’t need but it’s always good to have a win- I actually feel like it’s the best Christmas gift I could have ever asked for and feeling very grateful

I wish you well but honestly the fact you think it's so easy to say you're going to stop and that will be the end of it shows just how far into the hole you are and you can't see clearly what everyone outside can see. What you see as negative responses are actually a bit of reality from those who have stood and watched it happen so it is probably wise to listen.

I also agree with a PP that 20k will just be the tip of the iceberg and the true amount you've lost over the years will be so much more.

The steps to stop clearly have not helped! Contact Gamblers Anonymous. You have said you have a problem. I am not judging you but if I knew you I would be concerned. As it is I don't know you..just responding to your posts and I think most people on here have offered sound advice.

Good luck and i really hope you keep the cash and buy a house!!!

Please consider a reputable IFA...

Also (for your child and as an insurance policy against gambling it) please think about opening the JISA and Junior SIPP and paying the first tranch of money in there so it cant be touched. (Vanguard or aj bell are good loe cost options)

Contact GamCare OP. Brilliant charity who will really support you.

It’s a life changing amount of money and unfortunately, that could be for good or ill. You are being given a chance - Take It.

No, you won’t.

if you wanted to stop you’d have stopped when you used GamStop. You’re in too deep now.

I would also suspect you are on here trying to 'celebrate' with us because if you tell your family and friends they will be instantly worried and disappointed.

I really don't mean to sound harsh but you aren't going to get happy well done replies from people here who have had to deal with the heartbreaking consequences of gambling.

For you to have already installed gamblock, blocked cards etc you already knew you had a problem and you have bypassed them to gamble again.
All you can do is get that money out of your hands so you can't access it and sign up to gamblers anonymous, good luck.

It’s right that no one here is celebrating with you.

It’s not a win until you stop gambling. It’s just an uptick in your cash flow at the moment.

I don’t have any questions for you but you’ve been extremely lucky! I beg you not to throw this luck down the drain. Never gamble again and withdraw the money to invest. 🙏

I don’t think anyone’s remotely jealous of your ‘win’ by the way. It seems most bear the brunt of addiction first hand.

I do wish you well though.

Is it games such as slots or online poker, blackjack etc
I had a gambling problem and the emotional hit of losing it is what I get. As it goes my husband found out and that is what stopped me but I know I would regardless it. I now have accountability and blocked my bank from doing deposits. Please don’t waste that amount but I am intrigued what it was on. If you were on GameStop then how on earth did you manage to gamble .

If be surprised if you're able to withdraw it all if the site isn't licensed for UK users. Take as much as you can as soon as you can out.

there are NHS clinics for gambling addiction all around the country which you can self refer to. This would be a great time to get help, so you dont end up pissing this win away. They are paying out slowly to try and hook you back in. If you gamble with it, you WILL lose.

I have struggled with my weight in the past. I know that in order to be able to commit to what I say I am going to do, I have to commit externally to someone. I usually at least tell my mum. That doesn't make me a bad person, it just makes me human. I would say this is the same thing.

I understand you're saying the negativity is why you aren't telling people, but honestly, so what if they're negative about it? Surely it's better to have some negativity and a higher chance of keeping the money? And if you do get all the money out and then stop gambling then you'll have proved their prejudgements wrong.

I hope you can use the winnings to build stability. If you have had £15k out already, the first thing I would do is book an urgent appointment with a private therapist.

Wow, this is life changing money!!

Currently have a nephew with a gambling addiction (and my brother) have you registered with the bank and your phone company to refuse access to gambling sites?

I would seriously take this as the sign that your addiction has paid off..... but what goes up must come down!!!!

I totally get being a single parent, loneliness, boredom etc. But just think how happy you can make yourself and your children owning a home, going on holiday.

Addiction isn't easy, if it were me id probably give my phone and cards to a family member to withdraw that amount.

It was a £250 bet on roulette...

Oh balls you have already done gamblock. OP this needs to come from you!!!! You need to resist. Just think how happy you are now.... how much happiness owing your own home will be. Keep that in your mind the next time you try spend that money, because you will lose it!!!!!!

How do you get on non UK gambling sites. I thought you couldn’t gamble in other countries?

OP you're an addict who has taken steps to stop before and completely failed.

I'd love to be wrong and you use this to buy yourself a house for you and your toddler - but you've already pissed 20k up the wall. Without professional help I don't think you've got a hope in hell of keeping hold of this money. You're deluding yourself as addicts do.

Gambling addiction changes your brain chemistry OP, you're always chasing that high. You've now probably experienced the highest dopamine hit there is by winning such a huge amount - and so your brain is going to want to be chasing getting that feeling again even more.

Please get professional help, just giving your card to someone else or whatever isn't going to be enough.