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

Signed and I'm so very sorry for your loss x

Signed 💐

I'm so sorry OP, I really can't imagine how you must be feeling. Sending hugs.

I've signed the petition immediately.

Signed and bumped

Op, I'm heartbroken for you and admire what you are doing through your grief.

Unfortunately I am not in the UK so cannot sign the petition, but hope posting here and getting people to sign and share will get you the numbers you need.

But my point is was it a trap, or was he one of the many people who were still addicted anyway? I'm just not convinced ending free bets will have a significant impact when it is such a small factor of gambling addiction.

How could you possibly know, every addict starts somewhere any maybe some would never have discovered it if they hadn't been given an opportunity on a plate, the same could be said for cigarettes and alcohol, anything that is seriously addictive shouldn't be offered for free it's as simple as that, it's immoral for starters and the fact there is every possibility it could create an addict means it should not be happening.

Sighed. Sending you strength and hugs - this is the very best thing you can be doing to help others

Sorry - signed!

I am very sorry to hear of your devastating loss. I used to work for a betting company (one of the big ones) and they are pretty heartless places. I heard stories such as gambling addicts leaving their children in the car to go in and play all day on the betting terminals. I've never seen the attraction of gambling myself but I guess it just grabs some people, like any other addiction.

I'm not sure a campaign to ban free bets will result in any action being taken to change how these companies work as BoJo and co seem pretty liberal when it comes to businesses in general but I wish you luck and hope that it provides a channel for your energies.

Please take care.

Signed. What a noble cause you are throwing your energy into. Your Luke would be so proud of you; trying to help others who may otherwise be sucked in like he was and probably end up in the same predicament that he did. I am so so sorry for your loss. Praying for strength for you and your kids during this very difficult time [flowers[ flowers]

Signed. And so very for your loss OP. I completely agree, the attraction to gambling with these free bets should end.

OP that really is terrible.

There is currently a documentary on Channel 4 presented by Ruth Davidson about Football and Gambling. 'Free' Bets are mentioned regulary in this and it shows how damaging they are. There are people on the documentary that are in a very similar position to youself. Truely heartbreaking.

I have signed.
x

Thank you to every single one of you who have signed and shared. I am really grateful! I will not comment on posts that are questioning whether my petition is going to help or not because we do not know until we try. There is currently a gambling review happening in Parliament right now and I am hoping adverts and incentives are looked at in more detail. We can all but try! I feel like my husband's voice can be heard through me and if it stops one person from creating an account and being sucked into this dreadful addiction, then in my eyes, it has worked. I understand that people may not want to sign it and that is completely fine, but please do not question the importance of what I am doing.
Again, thank you for all of your kind messages. I am overwhelmed by your actions. The petition has gone up in signatures quite a lot! 💙💙💙

Op, you are right about free bets. They are a gateway to 'real' gambling. And to access the free bet you usually have to spend something first.

I did match betting a few years ago and wasnin various forums and chat groups regarding this. It is no surprise that many matched bettors then go on to be gamblers and blow every single bit of profit they have made. I worked sports bets and casino and its shocking how heavily promoted gambling is. Even now, 3 years later I get numerous text messages, phone calls and emails encouraging me to gamble.

I know someone personally struggling with suicidal thoughts at the moment, due to gambling. My dh struggles to manage his behaviour as well. And without me being very strict re limits he would absolutely blow more than he is comfortable with.

I will sign your petition .

You will do this op, you'll make him proud and change these shitty rules- I totally agree. Preventing them luring people in may possibly stop someone else been in your DH position, so sad but hope your okay
Iv signed ❤️❤️

Signed.

I am so sorry for your loss and have signed the petition x

@LukesLaw

Thank you to every single one of you who have signed and shared. I am really grateful! I will not comment on posts that are questioning whether my petition is going to help or not because we do not know until we try. There is currently a gambling review happening in Parliament right now and I am hoping adverts and incentives are looked at in more detail. We can all but try! I feel like my husband's voice can be heard through me and if it stops one person from creating an account and being sucked into this dreadful addiction, then in my eyes, it has worked. I understand that people may not want to sign it and that is completely fine, but please do not question the importance of what I am doing. Again, thank you for all of your kind messages. I am overwhelmed by your actions. The petition has gone up in signatures quite a lot! 💙💙💙

To clarify, are you saying no one can question what you are doing?

please do not question the importance of what I am doing

Just so that everyone knows.

Signed.
I hope free bets get banned.
I hope all advertising re gambling gets banned.
If fact, I would love to see gambling banned full stop.

💐 for you OP

Well done for your campaign.

I've also signed I wish you all the very best

Signed. So sorry for your loss💐

So sorry for your loss OP. Signed and shared.

Have you tried reaching out to any celebrities or influencers on twitter or Instagram? Lots of them sell "shout outs" and they might be receptive to doing a free one for a good cause. I'd look for people who have spoken about mental health. If you Google shoutout express you can find people that may be inclined to help.

I’m so sorry this has happened to you. I hate the way gambling has been so normalised and is so easily accessible now online. I can’t stand the way ITV constantly promote their competitions and allow shows like Sat Night Takeaway be sponsored by gambling sites. Those awful Bingo adverts where it’s all a ‘community blah blah’. I understand a flutter and if controlled it’s an industry for horse racing, football etc. But so many sites now as you said OP are designed to draw people in and keep them going and it’s destroying lives. Good luck OP.

BTW I used to work in a Bingo Hall and at that time advertising gambling in any form was completely banned. That changed when the national lottery started. I'd love to see it revert back to how it used to be or at least tightened up a lot more.