Hi John,
Take an honest look at your finances. Not gambling will obviously improve them but take a look anyway. Can you pay your bills? Can you meet any debt repayments? Can you do those things in a manageabel, sustainable way if not gambling? If the answer is yes, great. If the answer is no though then get proper financial advice. The Citizens Advice bureau is a good place to do that in the UK or http://www.stepchange.org/ both offer free, impartial advice here in the UK. They can help you get things to that manageable, sustainable place.
Keep posting and maybe I will see you in a group later.