In deep debt due to gambling - need help

[LostVayne]

Hello everyone,

I've been gambling since last year and my debt goes from $0 to staggering $78000. I dont know what to do. In my mind, i can make it back by gambling more.

I have a wife and a 2 year old son. My wife doesnt know i am in this huge debt as we have different bank account. She knows i am gambling on sports but i am doing online casinos which covers 98% of my losses.

I took loans and maxed out my credit cards so i can gamble even more but i keep on losing.

I am so sick on my stomach, i cant tell my wife as i dont want to break her heart. I am so disgusted with my life. I dont know where to start. Please help.

[Pikachu]

Hi @LostVayne,
Welcome to the forum.
I'm sorry to hear what happened. You've done well in reaching out for help. This might be a tough journey to fight alone. It must be overwhelmed for you to carry all this by yourself. You can always share them here.

In terms of some support you can access, have you had access to any support before? I have sent you some information as a starting place for you to have a look in the welcoe message. If there is any other or extra information you would like to know, don't hesitate, just @ myself or @Printemps and we will try our best to provide you some information.

[smokey86]

Hi @LostVayne

$78000 in one year is definitely a lot BUT you have done the right thing in trying to seek help.

I would definitely try and delete all gambling apps if that's your go to or put blocks on your accounts from depositing money into them if you haven't already.

I am currently on day 20 and it's slowly getting easier but the urges are still striking. I find myself writing or doing crossword puzzles when they hit at home.

When they hit whilst I'm out, I'll try to venture into a department store and pick out something for me that I wouldn't normally buy when I was gambling as a reward for not going, I guess.

It was actually my husband that made me realise that I have a problem, so your wife may notice more than what she says as well. It would be very tough to do it alone.

I've promised myself to check into this group every day until I'm confident I can beat this addiction.

[AGHS]

Hi Lostvayne, have you tried approaching your bank for support to block all of your cards so as you cannot gamble and to sort our your debt through an affordable repayment plan. Most banks have a range of supports and tools for people experiencing gambling problems.
You really need to come clean to your wife. I found sharing my gambling secret with those around me helped me to address my gambling problem and be more accountable.
$78.000 is ALOT of money to have poured into betting...that in itself shows you that gambling is not designed to make you rich, it is designed to take your money and by the looks of it it has achieved this.
Yes...you need help but only you can start the process of getting help and addressing your gambling problem. Linking in with this forum is a great first step, talking to a gambling counsellor with your wife will also help, barring yourself from all gambling sites, being transparent with your wife, even consider the 100 day challenge.

[Pokieseveywhere]

It's not your Fault, the venue you gamble at should have issued you an exclusion order by now, if not they are breaking the law.

[aurelius85]

@LostVayne Hey mate.. How are you doing?