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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Boyfriend keeping secret that he won £25k gambling ...

245 replies

YellowSunflowers123 · 07/08/2019 01:07

Coming on here for opinions on whether I am being unreasonable or not...

I have been with boyfriend for 2 years, living (renting) together for one of those. We have been saving for a house. He already earns significantly more than me (6 figures), I earn not even a quarter what he does. We've both been saving equally for the house. He hasn't insisted that I pay an equal share, he is happy to put in more than me when the time comes to it, but I really want this to feel like an equal venture. I have been working my arse off, doing 2 jobs, and I am just about to start a third. My goal is to save £15k towards the house.

On his phone earlier we were scrolling through his photos and he quickly shut the app down once we got to a certain set, became very cagey about his phone. He's never done this before and I did find it suspicious. I am ashamed as I have never done this before, but I have gone back on the photos app since he has gone to bed. I noticed a withdrawal on a betting site for £25k. I know he dabbles in gambling from time to time but wasn't sure whether a withdrawal meant he had won the money or had paid that into it. I am completely naive to any of this, and I don't like gambling. It turns out he has won £25k.

I was obviously shocked and stunned, I then went onto his WhatsApp and he has had a conversation with a friend of his (who also gambles). He has said in the conversation that he doesn't want me to know because I will expect him to put some of his winnings towards our house Sad. He also owes one of his family members a significant amount of money and said he doesn't want to tell me as I will encourage him to pay the family member back.

I have never asked him for money, and always tried to pay my way. Whenever he has paid for expensive things I have always offered the money back, but he has told me to put it into our savings. He is generally a very selfless, kind and generous man. He has paid for expensive things and is never a shirker or tight with money. I love him and share everything with him, and I thought the same of him.

I understand if he wants to keep the money for himself, but I don't like the secrecy and assumption I will demand he spends the money in a certain way. I've never asked him for money and I am running myself ragged trying to save up which he is very aware of. I also feel it makes me look like an idiot and fool in front of his best friend who knows all about this. I also feel partly upset, because if I had a massive windfall like this, I would be over the moon it could mean we would buy our house faster, get a nicer house etc. I would be thinking of it as 'our' money. I've told him that when we move in I am happy for us to have a contract stating we have both put 'X' in. I am by no means a money grabber. That does hurt me a little, but more so the fact he is keeping it a secret from me but happy to tell his friends.

AIBU?

OP posts:
swissmilk · 07/08/2019 22:12

My Dad is a 'secret' gambler. Lucky for him my mum cane from a rich family and bailed him out time after time.
He's still at it, at 80 years old.
Will never change.
He was privately educated and had a good job, was very charming in public, and to the outside world an intelligent and respectable man; but really the only thing that has ever mattered to him is gambling, he is a hollow shell of a person.

Walk or run away op, you are still young and your whole life ahead of you. Good luck.

pebblemix · 07/08/2019 22:23

He’s colluded with his mates to hold that money secret from you? Wow. Get rid. That’s just deceitful and spiteful. He’s ended it by doing that. How disrespectful. How could you ever trust him again. God knows what else he’s been up to!

EvePolastrisFace · 07/08/2019 22:27

I've been following this thread since this morning. I'm so sorry this happened to you op, you are so strong for making the decision to end it all so quickly. You must be absolutely gutted.

Charmlight · 07/08/2019 22:30

Dump

MirzyMoo · 07/08/2019 22:33

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

SnowWhitesRestingBitchFace · 07/08/2019 23:08

To those saying the OP is in the wrong and he can do what he wants.

You're ok with deceit and dishonesty are you?

And also it's ok for him to accept his DPS parents money towards a deposit but keep his winnings for himself.

Nope, some of us expect more for the person we are choosing to spend out life with.

Smelborp · 07/08/2019 23:12

I’m sorry OP. I hope it went as well as it could. You’re totally making the right decision IMO.

katewhinesalot · 07/08/2019 23:13

The gambling there is a possible, if small, chance of getting past. The deception and colluding with his friends means that there is no way your relationship can continue.
Flowers

IamtheOA · 07/08/2019 23:17

@MirzyMoo

Good grief.

Bumbags · 07/08/2019 23:25

Hope the talk with him wasn’t too traumatic OP.

I really feel for you xx

evilharpy · 08/08/2019 06:40

I hope you’re ok, OP.

Whatisinaname1 · 08/08/2019 16:17

I hope it went well. Sounds like splitting is best and telling everyone the truth why. Including the relative.

Pineapplefish · 08/08/2019 16:49

Hope you're ok, OP.

Morley19 · 08/08/2019 18:26

Hope you are ok OP

Please come back here for support when you are ready, whatever you decide to do x

thinkingcapon · 10/08/2019 20:28

Hope you're doing ok op x

cees · 11/08/2019 19:45

How did you get on Yellow?

Purplerain16 · 11/08/2019 20:11

How are you doing OP?

I hope you're okay Flowers

Tally23 · 12/08/2019 07:43

If he’s happy to keep this good news from you, God only knows what bad news he will hide. My ex gambled away the deposit for our first house. Took him back and he was still hiding casino nights at £800 a time from me. He won’t change, it’s a buzz that nothing else can fulfil for them.

LatteLover12 · 12/08/2019 08:02

OP please remove your money from your shared account before you confront him.

I'd be so worried that he'd empty it and then all your savings are gone.

Good luck today Thanks

Pedallleur · 26/09/2019 21:05

He has a gambling habit. Its the same as alcohol or drug addiction. It ends 2 ways. Badly or the addict quits. Which way would work for you. He is hiding it from you now, what happens if he is 25k down? Quit while your ahead.

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