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Original poster

Husband took his own life after gambling

298 replies

LukesLaw · 30/07/2021 06:30

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

OP posts:
myrtlehuckingfuge · 30/07/2021 07:30

Signed. I am sorry for your loss but admire the fact that you are trying to take action which will have the effect of saving others. I have been scratching my head wondering where else you could publicise this petition. Does anyone here have any ideas?

Minecraftlover · 30/07/2021 07:38

I've signed and completely agree with what you are trying to do Flowers so sorry for your loss.

listsandbudgets · 30/07/2021 07:39

Signed.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Free bets are not a nice charitable offer designed to entertain but rather a cynical ploy to lure people in to gambling.

I don't understand it but I think people who do matched betting rely on these free bets so you may find this does not enjoy universal appeal

emmy4 · 30/07/2021 07:43

So sorry for your loss. Signed

icelollycraving · 30/07/2021 07:45

I see free bets a bit like a dealer giving you a little try for free. It’s designed to hook you in.
So sorry for your loss Flowers

Original poster
LukesLaw · 30/07/2021 07:51

@myrtlehuckingfuge

Signed. I am sorry for your loss but admire the fact that you are trying to take action which will have the effect of saving others. I have been scratching my head wondering where else you could publicise this petition. Does anyone here have any ideas?
Yes, me too. I've tried socials but that had only got me so far. I would love it to get to 10,000 but the goal is for it to reach 100,000 that way it has to be discussed in parliament. Any ideas will be greatly appreciated.
OP posts:
LavenderAskew · 30/07/2021 07:54

I'm so sorry for you loss.

Banning free bets would absolutely deter people. They are used solely to indice people into betting.

Betting shouldn't be advertised either (like smoking isn't anymore).

I only commented theother day that there are so many adverts on TV that are making out gambling to be like harmless fun like playing a board game. The focus seems to be on getting people to gamble rather than use a particular company.

AdelindSchade · 30/07/2021 07:55

I've signed. I am so very sorry OP and I hope this is successful. I agree with pp about the constant advertising too.

Bettysnow · 30/07/2021 07:57

@icelollycravingis correct! Exactly the same strategy to hook people in.
Am so sorry for your loss op, this is truly heartbreaking. Your courage is humbling. I really hope this horrific practice stops soon. SignedFlowers

Rightchoiceat46 · 30/07/2021 08:07

Signed. Sending compassion and strength.

scorpio32 · 30/07/2021 08:09

I'm so incredibly sorry for your loss, and I've signed the petition.

I'm also a compulsive gambler and at my lowest considered suicide, but fortunately made a phone call to a friend instead. It was the best decision I've ever made.

People don't really understand just how insidious this addiction is - when you're in the grip of it you feel compelled to gamble. There's no joy in it, winning or losing has almost no emotional effect. You're either trying to win back what you've lost, or win some more gambling money. Free bets can have a massive impact and should definitely be banned.

I've not had a bet since 2012, but the consequences of my actions will be with me forever - I've had to come to terms with that.

If this campaign helps a single gambler then it will be worth it

oscarandelliesdad · 30/07/2021 08:10

Signed Flowers

Quarantino · 30/07/2021 08:12

Really sorry OP and I appreciate what you're trying to do.
But won't bookies just advertise 1p bets or something if free ones are banned?

YoungGun95 · 30/07/2021 08:14

Signed x sending love to you OP

userchange902 · 30/07/2021 08:16

Done. I've always been so tempted to sign up when seeing the free bets, even though I have no interest in gambling otherwise! I can completely see how it draws people in, imagine if companies gave every 18 year old a cigarette or crate of beer for free as a marketing tactic?!

So sorry for your loss OP.

LunaTheCat · 30/07/2021 08:16

I am not in UK so unable to sign but..
I am so so sorry.
Providers of gambling are evil - pure evil .
💐💐

savvy7 · 30/07/2021 08:21

I'm so sorry for your loss OP.

I don't know why gambling is still legal as it ruins so many lives.

I did matched betting for a while as I liked the thought of taking money away from these greedy companies. The tactics they use are appalling - even now I still get emails offering free bets etc just to try to get me to log back in. And you are quickly excluded on the sites where, as a matched bettor, you have made money.

It's a dirty horrible industry.

81Byerley · 30/07/2021 08:22

Signed and shared. Gambling is such an easy addiction to develop, with some terrible consequences, none worse than the terrible loss you have suffered. I'm so sorry.

Original poster
LukesLaw · 30/07/2021 08:24

@scorpio32

I'm so incredibly sorry for your loss, and I've signed the petition.

I'm also a compulsive gambler and at my lowest considered suicide, but fortunately made a phone call to a friend instead. It was the best decision I've ever made.

People don't really understand just how insidious this addiction is - when you're in the grip of it you feel compelled to gamble. There's no joy in it, winning or losing has almost no emotional effect. You're either trying to win back what you've lost, or win some more gambling money. Free bets can have a massive impact and should definitely be banned.

I've not had a bet since 2012, but the consequences of my actions will be with me forever - I've had to come to terms with that.

If this campaign helps a single gambler then it will be worth it

Thank you and thank goodness you called that friend instead. Wish Luke had told me because it could have been so different if he had. I miss him so much. I just hope people can get behind this. I will be speaking with some MPs in September about Luke so hoping that will help too.
OP posts:
PrettyLittleFlies · 30/07/2021 08:25

I'm so sorry for your loss, what a terrible and tragic ending for your lovely husband's life.

I used to gamble so I understand the addiction.

Fantastic that you are fighting the good fight.

Wishing you every healing vibe.

Arepeoplereallycoolaboutthis · 30/07/2021 08:27

Signed OP. I'm so sorry for your loss. You are doing a fantastic thing.

Could you contact any newspapers to further your petitions publicity?

tiredanddangerous · 30/07/2021 08:27

Signed. I'm very sorry for your loss Flowers

tara66 · 30/07/2021 08:32

signed. Very sorry for your loss. Unfortunately I think the government may get a lot of tax from gambling.

Clem4579 · 30/07/2021 08:36

I don't think people realise the lengths these companies go to to keep people gambling. They literally have employees contacting the gamblers to encourage them, if they notice the person has ceased or cut down, offering incentives and free bets, acting like they're best mates.
There was a very good program about it a year or so ago.

I'm so sorry for the loss of your husband.

Homebird8 · 30/07/2021 08:36

I’m number 5,100. Gambling takes people’s lives in so many ways. I am so sorry that Luke’s was one of them. 🌷