Is it just me?

[sobeyondthehills]

To start this off, I don't think I am an addict, however if the temptation is there I will take it, the best way to describe it, is an addictive personallity, I understand that I am too easily led, so I don't do it. This includes drinking, smoking and gambling, drinking and smoking I have had a problem with and beaten.

About a year ago I joined a bingo site, a bit of fun, won close to £100, then lost it, then lost another £40, about 2 weeks ago I went back on and lost another £40. I know I am talking small amounts but to be honest that £40 would be alot to us, but it came out of my survey money (I do a shit ton of surveys and most of the money goes into my paypal)

Since then I have been getting 3 or 4 texts a day plus 2-3 emails I have done the whole stop getting these messages and emails but they are still coming. As it stands I have 64 unread texts from Friday and 62 of those are from this bingo site.

I have spoken to my partner and explained that I am started to feel the urge to get it back. IE I lost the £40 but I am sure I can get it back, and he is being really supportive but it is fair that they keep sending me these messages? Is anyone else getting this level of shit?

should say I am not a gambling addict, drinking certainly smoking without a doubt

Yes you are a gambler. You need help for your addiction

Do yourself a massive favour and go unsubscribe now, even better, hand over your phone to DH and tell him to do it for you.

It’s an addictive thing, deliberately manipulated by the company to be more addictive. Get out now before you lose 1000’s

Addictive personalities is definitely a thing, I know I am.

That’s really unfair of them to keep spamming you with messages. Firstly block the number they’re coming from and delete them all. Same with the email address, send it to spam. Then look into getting some help for your addictions. Keep talking to your DP as secrecy is very harmful in situations like this. Being accountable and open will help you both.

It’s not your fault if you’re an addict, but you do need to take responsibility for sorting it out. Good luck.

Could you report them to the Gambling Commission? This is the regulator and they may be interested to know that you are being bombarded despite having unsubscribed.

Do yourself a massive favour and go unsubscribe now,

Have done that, still getting them

Yes you are a gambler. You need help for your addiction

But the thing is I am not, I started realised it was out of control and stopped, unlike with my drinking when I had to hit rock bottom before I got help

@RUSU92

I hadn't realised how bad it was till I looked at my phone today, I have gotten help for my addictions which is why I knew it was starting to get beyond what is normal and my partner supports me in that, we need to figure out how to deal with the money coming into my paypal account, because we don't account for it, as survey money is so unreliable. we use to save it and get a takeaway or something, but since lockdown it is just sitting there

The classic words from a gambler

" I'm sure I can get it back".

"I'm sure I can get it back"

These are the words of someone addicted to gambling.

You have an addictive personality - you get addicted to things. You can realise this before you hit rock bottom too.

Oh, good lord. You’ve lost £40 in a year and feel a little bit tempted to spend more, but can prevent yourself from spending more?

You are absolutely fucking fine.

Delete the links, stop doing it, because it clearly troubles you and doesn’t make you feel good, and don’t chase good money after bad. But don’t beat yourself up. You’ve acknowledged it isn’t a great thing for you. You don’t have a problem.

Agreed - well done on recognising that the temptation is starting to pull you towards it and stopping. Sounds like you are in control and that's excellent.

But infuriating that you are being spammed. Double check you are unsubscribed and look into blocking adverts too and changing your privacy settings. I found I would get targeted adverts after doing things online - made me realise how much our data is used to put temptation in our way!

You've beaten alcohol addiction but wonder about £40 spent on the bingo? What am I missing here?

Also, unsubscribe

Can you block the texts/emails?

You can go on online banking and stop your card from working on gambling sites. To unblock them takes 72hours (for my cards anyway) so you cannot impulse gamble.

I understand that I am too easily led, so I don't do it.

This sentence is at complete odds to the rest of your post, can you see the disparity?

You need to leave the bingo and any other kind of gambling, block everything, unsubscribe, leave it the hell alone!

The industry is no where near as regulated as it should be, you can’t rely on the powers that be to keep you safe you are going to have to stay the hell away from it yourself.

That is a ridiculous amount of spam/pressure to receive!

Email the site directly to complain that a) this is too much and b) as you have unsubscribed, the fact they continue to spam you is harassment and in breach of GDPR (maybe you could even cc some of the watchdog type tv programs or the gambling regulators?).

Just to make it clear, I have unsubscribed from the emails and the texts. I wouldn't consider myself as a gambler, but I am also aware I have the personality to become one.

It was also really stupid of me to sign onto the website in the first place, but my AIBU isn't about me being stupid its about me being flooded by these emails and texts and with apparently no real way to stop it

I will look into the Gambling Commission tomorrow.

@cocklepicker I don't understand your question, so am not sure what you are missing

You're a gambler just by going on those sites, that is the reality. My DBro got into such shit in his 20s by getting into those sites, I've given my dc lectures about how only losers go on them ever (sorry) but lost £50k, his house and his fiance - and my dad had to bail him out. He knows he can never ever gamble again. Not even the "fun" sites.

The house always wins. That's what I tell my kids now. It's a very raw point with me, seeing what my brother went through.

There is a way to block yourself from all the websites....Gamcare can do this.

Also, self block from all the websites, or ask your partner to do this if you feel you cant do this yourself.

You have done exactly the right thing by realising that you are at the top of a slippery slope and stopping yourself. The fact that they are still spamming you shows what utter shits these companies are, they may make all the right noises with "when the fun stops, stop" but they rely on people who cant stop. Its how they make their money.

Hope you have success with the Gambling Commission op.

I know exactly what you're saying about recognising the signs very very early on. You've done the right thing, bravo you.

I hope the GC get the bastards.

@PyongyangKipperbang

I didn't realise that I could block myself so thank you, I only get the you can limit the amount you can spend or the whole when it stops being fun stop, which is fine.

I suppose the other reason I posted, is because once again I got another email and tbh I was tempted but I do know what could happen, because it will follow the same pattern as my drinking.

you know the old excuses, its ok because its just the one at 5pm and then its just a pick me up at 12pm etc

I was lucky that I managed to get out of it before I had children but now I have one and I don't want to go down that hole and it is a lot worse now we are in lockdown,

Also, I get the whole you are an addict etc, but the thing is gambling has never been one of them, so while I may have the mindset of one I have lost £80 in a year and don't intend to lose anymore.

You are a gambler.