For thinking my husband has a gambling problem?

[Mummynotmama]

My husband goes into his overdraft every month. Over the last 6 years, I have paid back 8500 of his overdrafts back (every couple of years we’ll pay it off) which he then pays me back. He currently owes ours savings 2300 which we paid off his overdraft. His overdraft is currently at 1100. Yet this month he spent £130 on gambling apps. Only £5 bets but most days.

I realise it isn’t a huge amount but as he doesn’t have the money and lies about gambling, I see this as a problem. He laughs when I say that - AIBU?!

Not a huge amount?

What could you have done with the money had he not pissed it up the wall making other people rich?

I know in my eyes it’s a lot but he says people who have gambling problems spend loads more. I think it’s too much!

That’s a bit like a drug addict saying it’s ok because some addicts take more drugs. Ridiculous argument.
Do you want to live the rest of your life like this?

No I don’t at all. He is the best dad and so lovely in other ways. Just wanted to hear people’s views on if they would consider this to be a problem or if I’m overreacting. I guess I’m not!

Yes he does

I'd never be with a gambler, its just too risky. He can still be a good dad and "lovely" in other ways. Just don't hitch your star to his wagon. You could end up liable for a lot more than £8k, though God knows that is bad enough. He laughs at you? He would be laughing on the other side of his face, if it were me.

If he is overspending his money by having to go into an overdraft then he hasn't any money spare to waste on gambling in the first place. The adage you should only bet what you can afford to lose is right. If he thinks it's ok to spend money he doesn't have then perhaps you should stop bailing him out and tell him that you want repaid every penny owed before he wastes any more money on gambling. He is, essentially, gambling your money away because he has already spent his own so you should have a say in it. If he can't or won't stop then the answer is yes he does have a gambling problem and you have to decide whether you can face spending the rest of your life with a gambler.

Thanks for your comments I completely agree x