Husband took his own life after gambling

[LukesLaw]

I tried posting this on a gambling thread but I cannot see the post and I have posted it on a bereavement thread. I just need everyone's help but I am sure you will undertand why when you read it. Sorry for the long post.
Gambling: My husband took his own life 3 months ago. We had an amazing life and we loved each other so much. We were always together unless we were at work and we have 2 lovely children together. We were childhood sweethearts and I honestly did not see this coming. I am devastated beyond words and feel completely lost without him. I love him so much.
After he had taken his life, the police gave me his phone back and when I went through it I discovered that he had been gambling (a lot) and had got loans to pay for his addiction. He had only been gambling a few months- since he was furloughed- but it got hold of him enough for him to completely lose control and unfortunately do what is the worst mistake he ever made. He didn't want to die, he was a proper grafter and a family man. He loved life. We could have sorted it together but he must have felt like it was his problem and he was taking it with him. Of course, this is not true.
After looking into his betting account, I found that he placed a free bet and then won some money, which he put back in and won some more. He then carried on but the losses soon outweighed the wins. When he lost and ran out of money on his account, another free bet dropped into his account and the cycle repeated. I am obviously angry as hell.
I have started a campaign to ban so called 'Free Bets' (THEY ARE NOT FREE, they are designed to keep you putting money back into the system) and I am hoping I can help prevent the same thing happening again to other men, women, young adults. If any of you can help me by signing,
I would really appreciate it. This is the one thing that is keeping me going at the minute because I don't know what else to do. If you google Luke's Law, my twitter and facebook stories come up as well as the petition.
I will post it here but I am not sure if its allowed so it may get deleted.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/587806

I'm so sorry for your loss, I can't imagine how devastating it must be. I've signed the petition, I hope this thread isnt deleted

Thank you and me too. I posted it in a group on facebook and it was removed but it has generally been well received. People tend to agree with what I am trying to do. It has helped me to keep fighting.

I'm very sorry for your loss. I can't imagine what you are going through. I have signed your petition

Signed. I hope something good will come out of this tragedy.

Signed, bumping for you Op.
So sorry for your loss, this is an amazing thing to throw your energy behind and your Luke would be very proud of you I’m sure

@MaxiPaddy not really appropriate, have a heart!!!

Oh, I am so so sorry that your husband felt there was no way out. I hate these betting companies, so unscrupulous, ruins thousands of lives. Signed. Sending you love. Thank you for bringing Luke's law to our attention.

@MaxiPaddy don't be a dick.

@MaxiPaddy

I'm very sorry for your loss, but honestly, a free bet isn't the reason your husband took his life. Banning them will do nothing.

Thanks for your reply. Banning free bets is a prevention rather than cure. It may stop young people signing up for accounts because they think its just a bit of fun and doesn't cost them anything when in reality it does. Free bets are unnecessary and complicated. Gambling companies often do not let you withdraw your winnings, if you do win, and they are designed to keep the gambler engaged in what is a highly addictive activity. Free bets along with adverts are dangerous and often go hand in hand. Hopefully this will help save lives in the future. Sorry about the long message, I feel very strongly about it, as you can imagine.

@MaxiPaddy Really ? Agree with pp, totally inappropriate.
Free bets are designed to suck people in, people who otherwise maybe wouldn’t have gambled. There is only one winner in gambling and that’s not the people placing bets

I have commented my gratitude but I can't see my replies but hopefully you can. Thank you all for your support, I really appreciate it. 💙

Signed - my DP has self excluded from all betting sites for 10 years due to having a gambling problem. We have paid his debts off and he's finally in a good place (he previously thought about ending his life) but yet he still continues to receive texts and emails from betting sites telling him about offers they have on!

Sorry that you're going through this - it's so sad. 😢

Signed

Signed

@LukesLaw. Your love, strength and dedication is admirable and awesome.

Signed.

Side note: Does anyone know of any petitions to get gambling adverts banned? I can't believe these companies are allowed to get away with all the adverts on TV.

Signed

Signed

Done

@JustYourAverageSue

Signed.

Side note: Does anyone know of any petitions to get gambling adverts banned? I can't believe these companies are allowed to get away with all the adverts on TV.

www.change.org/p/end-gambling-advertising-and-sponsorship-in-football?utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=custom_url&recruited_by_id=06ba3860-e142-11ea-88b0-cb337e33a602

I am so sorry for your loss OP . Of course, I will sign the petition and ask others to do so too.

Signed. I’m sorry for your loss.

I've signed. If you also sign please remember to click the link on your email too so that it registers. I'm so sorry for your loss OP.