Possible gambling addiction - what do I do?

[INeverFinishAnythi]

I share an email account with a relative, due to both being involved in a company (nothing financial involved for me - I just help out with some online bits) and over the last week there have been a lot of emails from a gambling site, acknowledging payments received. There were also a couple acknowledging winnings, and the winnings outweighed the payments, so although I thought it odd, I ignored it (stupidly)

Yesterday £800 was made in payments over the course of 3 hours. No email about any winnings have followed. The family member is not broke - good job etc, but could ill afford to lose £800 I would imagine, who can?! It is not technically money lost judging by the emails I've seen this week, it's just the previous winnings that have been paid back in, but surely gambling at this level is a slippery slope?

I feel really worried about it, but what do I do? Ask him? But then he'll just use a different email address and hide the issue if there is one. His partner is nice but I'd not want to be the cause of any upset between them, especially at Christmas, as I'm sure they'd shoot the messenger. Can't tell his parents, they are real worriers and would freak.

Any advice please?

I think in this situation the best thing to do would be to contact Gamcare. They can give support to gamblers or family members of gamblers. I've just done a quick google and they are on 0808 8020 133, or you can also reach them on their netline where you can speak to one of their advisors - www.gamcare.org.uk/chat2/index.php They're open 7 days a week too.

hope that helps

Yes, just ask him. Let him know you know. You can't stop him gambling and it's not your responsibility to tell his partner or others but you can say you've had the e-mails and hope he's not in any trouble. What he spends his money on is his business really.

It is totally his business, I agree. And he has probably forgotten I get those emails, so might see it as a breach of privacy, which I guess maybe it is even though it is unintentional. I've never gambled really, £2 on the grand national is about it so seeing £800 gambled in one evening really shocked me I guess. It's his money I know, but still, £800! That's so much money to lose just like that. I really hope it's nothing serious, but how can that much money in one night not be? Feeling very worried for him. Might try that phone number tomorrow, thank you.

Go on... you're dying to ask him :) Also, it's probably a good idea that you set up separate e-mail accounts. If you can intercept things for him, he can do the same for you.

I dont know how it works in the UK but in France you can get the bank to block all gambling on an account. So if they get a request for payment to any gambling sites, betting shops or real life casinos, payment will be declined. It might be worth talking to the bank. If it's a business account it seems like fraud to me.
No mistake, gambling ruins lives, and no one wins long term.