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Original poster

...to ask if it's worth trying to get my losses back?

64 replies

DisgustedWithMyself · 02/04/2020 02:26

Hi all,

I have NC as even though I'm not a very regular poster I am, as my username states, so disgusted with my own stupidity I don't want this linked back to any other past posts I've made.

I have gambled online periodically for several years and although I have lost money before, a few thousand to be precise, I didn't think it was a problem for me in recent times as I've done it far less and betting smaller amounts on markets with more 'tangible' outcomes. However, in the past few weeks because of the lack of sports markets I've turned to live roulette trying to make a profit. I had a 'method' (yes, what a gambler would call it probably but clearly not very methodical as you will find out in a minute) and it was working but tonight this went awry and I've just blown half my savings, around 2k.

I hadn't seen myself as a problem gambler, at least not in recent years and I feel terrible and my head is throbbing now. I started chasing my losses and couldn't stop. I left my job 6 months ago because it was so awful and affecting my mental health detrimentally and I can't afford to lose what I just lost especially as it will be even harder to get a new job with the current climate.

I realise I've been ridiculously stupid but do you think there's any chance the betting company will give me some of my losses back?

OP posts:
Patsypie · 02/04/2020 02:29

Do yourself a favour and self exclude from every site. Change your bank settings to block gambling transactions and register with GamStop. You won't get your money back. Roulette is the worst, you'd have had a chance on slots!

user1473878824 · 02/04/2020 02:31

Oh OP, I’m so sorry. Please get in contact with Gambling Anonymous.

Original poster
DisgustedWithMyself · 02/04/2020 02:32

@Patsypie I have self-excluded from another gambling site before but not all of them. As I said I didn't think I had a current problem.

Do you think they never give money back to anyone?

OP posts:
AJGranny · 02/04/2020 02:32

No, they won't give any money back. Please, please stop chasing right now. It will only get worse. Delete all those Apps.

JKScot4 · 02/04/2020 02:33

You’re a gambler but think bookies will give you your money back??
You need help if you’re this deluded.

AJGranny · 02/04/2020 02:34

No, they will not return any money to you. Move on, clean slate, stop.

Patsypie · 02/04/2020 02:35

Sorry but no, you won't get it back. Please don't chase your losses, you'll regret it. Self exclude from every site and block your bank card for gambling sites. Good luck

Sandleman · 02/04/2020 02:36

Don’t be disgusted with yourself. You are obviously self-aware and you are asking for help here. Things could be worse but you need to cut your losses and do everything you can to stop NOW. Get support NOW and this will be the turning point for you.

Original poster
DisgustedWithMyself · 02/04/2020 02:37

I know I've made a stupid mistake by chasing my losses but I just think in these extreme circumstances where many people are feeling vulnerable, are at home and have ample spare time on their hands gambling sites should enforce betting limits. As I said, the lack of sports markets is also turning people to riskier gambling options like roulette. It's a disgrace they have zero accountability and continue to push these games when the country is in tatters. Angry

OP posts:
araiwa · 02/04/2020 02:37

Zero chance of a refund

JKScot4 · 02/04/2020 02:39

It is not the fault of these sites, you chose to use them.
Get help!!

Original poster
DisgustedWithMyself · 02/04/2020 02:42

Yes I chose to use them but they still shouldn't let people empty their bank accounts within a few minutes, it's scary.

If I were a shopaholic and bought 2-3k of designer gear at least I would have the opportunity to return them and get a refund once I reflected. No such luxury with gambling.

OP posts:
Thepigeonsarecoming · 02/04/2020 02:44

OP yes these sites are awful, but you need to accept you are to blame here not them. You choose to go on an bet money you couldn’t afford to lose. They didn’t make you, other people would never have considered it

This isn’t me being mean but you are an addict, and until you accept your own responsibility and stop blaming the sites you won’t recover. If they gave you your money back right now (which 100% they won’t) you would see it as a get out clause and an excuse to gamble more

Seek some help rather than make excuses

JaneTheVirgin · 02/04/2020 02:45

It's a disgrace they have zero accountability

You need to take accountability, not them.

I don't mean to be harsh. Addiction is a terrible illness. But if you got the money back (and to be clear there is no way that will happen) you would go straight back. Use this as your wakeup call. See your GP. Call Gamblers Anonymous. Block every website on your computers and phone. Cancel your credit cards. Move your remaining savings into an account you cannot touch online.

Please get help. Good luck.

FiveShelties · 02/04/2020 02:45

I cannot see you getting any sort of refund but I suppose you would not have repaid them if you had won either.

DroppedBoxxedRuth · 02/04/2020 02:45

OP you're making excuses.

Be disgusted with yourself. In this current climate gambling away half your savings is fucking madness.

You're an addict. And you're making excuses.

Stop it.

Ban all sites and set banking to not authorise gambling if that's possible as a pp said.

EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 02/04/2020 02:50

whatever they say about social responsibility, gambling companies are companies that exist to make a profit, all be it particularly odious ones. Sadly they'll probably make even bigger profits during this period, with no near-empty shops to staff, They are not charities and will not give you your money back.

What are you going to say - I didn't like that game of roulette because I didn't win , can I have my money back?

As PP's have suggested, cancel the apps, get yourself barred from all your existing accounts, see if Gamblers Anonymous are having online meetings.

Be thankful that you;ve only lost half your savings.

Patsypie · 02/04/2020 02:50

Stop being a victim. You chose to gamble, it's an evil industry but take responsibility.

PyongyangKipperbang · 02/04/2020 02:52

THey dont know that you cant afford it.
They dont know that you are not a pro making ££££ a day at this
No, they wont give it back without a court order from a case you would likely lose.

As other said, write this off and get help so you dont do it again.

Kinneddar · 02/04/2020 02:53

do you think there's any chance the betting company will give me some of my losses back?

Not a snowballs chance in hell. They're in business to make a profit

safariboot · 02/04/2020 02:54

They'll only return losses if you had already restricted or self-excluded on that particular site (and those restrictions failed to take effect) or via GamStop. But if you just self-excluded on site X then went gambling on site Y, Y won't give you any money back.

Self-exclude now, follow it up on GamStop, and be glad you still have half your savings left. In the casino the odds always favour the house.

Whatsmyname26 · 02/04/2020 02:58

Please get help. A family member gambled a 150k inheritance in the space of a few months and got himself into debt. It can spiral pretty quickly :(

PawPawNoodle · 02/04/2020 02:58

If you won on the roulette and they asked for the money back as they decided they had made a mistake by letting you play it, would you return the money?

Ripasso · 02/04/2020 03:06

It will not help this time but could you move your savings so you can’t access them instantly? Either to an account you have to give notice to withdraw or even buy premium bonds. This way the money is less accessible so even if tempted you cannot gamble it immediately.

Focusing on how to prevent a repeat of this is more important than giving yourself a hard time. Look on this as the point you dealt with your problem and be kind to yourself.

Patsypie · 02/04/2020 03:12

Gambling is a horrific industry. Why do you think Cheltenham went ahead when it really shouldn't have? Too many rich, posh people enjoy it whilst the majority lose their shirts