[Closed] New Wednesday Gambling Support Forum

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Hello

HI, good to see you join tonight, how can I help? 🙂

I'm looking for advice to stop myself gambling online. 

I'm glad you have reached out tonight, its a brave first step, gambling online can be very addictive and easy. because you can do it at home at any time. Can i ask what type of online gambling you are doing before i make some suggestions ?

Casino slots. It's really hard because like you say it's so accessible. I tried quite a few things but open to any suggestions. Thanks. 

okay, thanks for sharing this, have you tried your bank, often on your app you can stop yourself from gambling on any of the sites. Each bank does this for a different period. But it gives you a chance to have a break from it. There is also GamStop. https://www.gamstop.co.uk/take-a-break This can help you to ban the majority of the sites. Its hard to do it on your own, without support, Motiv8 can offer you free, one to one support, it doesnt have to be in person, it can also take place over the phone, and its confidential. I know though it is hard to reach out in the first instance. Gambling problems can be very isolating, and people feel quite alone 

We can chat on here, though and if there is anything you want to talk about i am here to listen and offer support

When gambling starts to become something you cant seem to stop, its because your brain has been hijacked. This little video really explains it well. People often feel bad, but the science behind why its become so hard to stop, is useful to know. https://youtu.be/aZCfkwEO5mE?si=ileQ_9PEmLzbTDVT

I just went to join gamstop, it said I already joined.  Must have been a while back because I forgot. It can't cover much though. That's one of the problems, the safeguarding is really poor. I can join a casino, not verify account and am allowed to deposit but not withdraw. It really should be that you can't deposit before verification.  It seems everytime I try something to help me stop, the safeguarding is poor. I tried to block my bank card on the block gambling site payments a while ago and a notice came up saying " not all gambling transactions will be recognised as gambling and will still be processed". That's really not useful.  Same as gamstop, notice flashes up saying " remember not all casinos are coveredby gamstop". What is the point  ?. I will watch the video though. Thanks.

Sorry to hear that it hasnt always worked for you, i suppose these systems can have their weaknesses. Maybe its because some of these companies are IOM based or international, as some can slip through the net. Another thing to do is contact the sites you are using individually and ask them to close your account. Pick a day/time when you are feeling strong. its hard to go through this alone, is there a friend or family member that can support you? It sounds like it been hard for you. Reaching out tonight though has been your first step. There are other things that are very helpful, an individual appointment at the bank, with a friend maybe to support you. 

Also, if you are having money worries from your gambling, it can be very stressful, and often for gamblers when pay day is close, it can be a very challenging few days, how is this time for you?

I've watched the video, interesting. It's highlighted some others to watch too so I'll take a look thanks. I've emailed the sites too. I get constant text messages and emails from sites I don't even use with this bonus and that bonus. It's so annoying but I'm just deleting them straight away. Oh I hate pay day, it's the worst time. 

yes its a really interesting video, and the science behind why its become so compulsive explains it a lot. Great to hear you have emailed the sites, and yes they do the 'hard sell' and its overwhelming. Every gambler i know dreads pay day, as having money in the bank makes it tempting to gamble, starting out with, i will 'just spend a bit' then you win, they end up spending that,  then trying to win back what you have lost. vicious circle!  its been good to chat to you tonight, i hope you come back to the forum again.