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

[DisgustedWithMyself]

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?

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

@DisgustedWithMyself - how would the banks be able to gauge how much you can lose? They don't have a clear picture of everyone's financial situation.

Definitely no chance of a refund or partial refund.

Of course they won't refund you, they make their millions off people like you. You need to write it off now as a bad experience. Contact your bank so they can block you from doing it again. Block all the websites. Forget about that money it's gone now. Most importantly you need to accept this was your fault and move on.

Friends of ours saved for 2 years for their dream wedding. Then the wife-to-be blew the whole lot in slot machines. Literally $20k in a few months.

Still to this day we have no idea why she did it.

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.

^^What they said.

And putting the rest of your savings into premium bonds is a good idea or any other account where it is not immediately accessible.

OP - please ring GamCare (details here with NHS support) as they're the people who can best advise you on what to do.

National Gambling Helpline (0808 8020 133) and also offers face-to-face counselling. There's also live chat on their website:

www.gamcare.org.uk/?cn-reloaded=1

www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/gambling-addiction/

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

What difference would it make? If someone wants to gamble and they hit the limit with one site, they'll just go to a different one (while convincing themselves the odds are better there)

"The house always wins" is a saying for a reason

@DisgustedWithMyself

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.

But you wouldn't want a refund if you'd won, would you? Which is inherently different from shopping, where you get the same clothes regardless, not different results depending on luck.

Gambling is inherently unethical as one person winning relies on others losing. And more people have to lose overall, as the company needs to cover their costs and wants to make profit too.

op
if you'd have ended up a few thousand pounds what would your reaction be if the casino had asked for the money back?

This is going to sound strange but losing that money is probably the best thing that has ever happened to you. You have lost money that you can’t afford to lose and it is a lot of money and it is going to make your life difficult and horrible. And you will hopefully remember this forever and you can build on this to never gamble again.

A lovely lovely old school friend of mine got himself into trouble with gambling. He lost his house and his marriage.

I am so sorry for what has happened to you and I'm sure you don't need anyone else telling you you shouldn't have done it.

Gambling is an insidious, horrible thing. The business empires that set up casinos and bookies have invested millions in getting innocent people sucked in. Gambling machines actually rewire your brain to ensure the only feeling of winning or success you can have in life is from gambling. Those who work in silicone valley say they would never even allow their children to play video games as they know these games are deliberately designed to set the brain up for gambling later.

You did a foolish thing op but there was a multi million pound industry against you. Write off the 2k, contact GA and start your life again x