[rosscoleman1994]

Hello all! This is my first post to the group so I will introduce a little about myself. I’m 22, I will admit I’m an addicted gambler and I will admit I need help. Today is my first day on the road of recovery and I look forward to hearing from some of you about gambling and about my topic – FOBT roulette.

FOBT have drained the life out of me and drained the money from the wallet. I started playing the machines when I was 18 years old on the 5p roulette when. I would casually put in £10 to be only spending £2 per spin by roughly covering 20 numbers with 10p. Once after seeing how easy it was to begin with, I then jumped onto the 20p roulette wheel where the stakes increased and the bet spins were much more.

Over the 4 years I’ve gambled on these machines, I’ve had many good wins but far more bad loses and you always say after a bad loss, that’s me done with them damn machines however it never is the end until you lose everything.

I’m that addicted onto this roulette game, as the ball starts spinning, I already know if I have a winner or not and what the pay our value is going to be. My mind is sucked into this game and it is very difficult to stop. Recently I’ve been covering 3 numbers at max bet of £13.80 which is over £40 a spin! 25 losing spins later and that’s the wage gone. With every spin being 20 seconds, it’s scary to think you’ve worked a whole month for it to be gone in such short period of time. I’ve never had a loan, I’ve never had a credit card and I’ve never borrowed money. However the hard working money I’ve earned, it has all gone to waste it those machines.

Common sense says why does the bookies love those machines. Why is there 4 in each shop. Why is it they always do special promotions on those machines. You can’t win on them and I’ve found that out the hard way. Them machines are evil. Them machines are only their to TAKE our money away.

I have lost a lot of money, a lot of my friends and a lot of my belief in myself. I’m glad I’ve finally have said enough is enough. Today is only step 1. I have many challenges and hurdles ahead but I believe there is light at the end of the tunnel.

If anyone else has had troubles with the roulette on the FOBT machines in the bookies, I’d like to hear from you and how it had affected your life.

Thanks for taking the time to read my story.

One love
RC
X

[Just26]

Hi RC,

Roulette is what got me, only just 2 days ago. I have never been a compulsive gambler – I out the odd football coupon on that usually loses and I never really feel the urge to chase my losses. The buzz is good when I get a small win, but it never escalated and I never got addicted. Until I found roulette.

A month back I lost 1500 in saving in about an hour on roulette. But the worst possible thing happened to me – I managed to win it all back. Phew I thought, close shave for me, I’m never touching those machines again I said. Fast forward a month to Thursday just gone. Boredom set in and a £10 deposit turned into a loss of £6000 that i dont really have. And what got me to that devastating loss? Thinking I could win it back like last time.

My experience is very short lived but has caused so much devastation. Hopefully some more experienced members will be on soon to share their thoughts.

I really hope it works out for you RC. These machines are the work of the devil. I’m finding that posting on here is helping me to recover from the shock and pain of what I’ve done, so I hope it helps you too. Good luck with your recovery!

[kathryn]

Hey there,
I’m sorry you have found yourself in this situation but am happy you have found this site.
While my poison of choice is different to yours, the outcome is the same….devastation!
So, I guess I thought I could maybe give you a few ideas that might help you.
I am in Australia, so things don’t work quite the same as the UK, I’m not well read on exclusion over there but that is something that has really helped me. If you can do it….do it!
Its a great barrier.
Have you got someone you could talk to? That could perhaps take hold of your money for a while? That could maybe give you a daily allowance for just what you need? Its a hard thing to do, but no money = no gambling. Means and opportunity are our worst enemy. Trying to fill your time with something else (I used this site in the early days) can help overcome an urge and give you time to think things through. It can really help.
So theres a couple of ideas, what you do with them is up to you. In the end the only person who can help you is you. You can live a gamble free life, its not an easy road, but you have taken the first step and well done for that.
Keep reading and posting, it really does help.
Take care, K xx

[Darren72]

Hi there,

I have a pretty similar story to yourself, only difference being I have gambled on FOBT for a lot longer. When they were first introduced at the bookies I was like you, starting on the roulette wheel betting low amounts. Then I watched some people win big money on them and my addiction escalated exponentially. When you see someone put a few quid in and win 100s of pounds you instantly get the bug and increase your stakes. With the roulettes I got to the point of betting £80 a spin …. ridiculous!! Yes, you may win now and again, but the point is you will never win enough, you will carry on until it is all gone, plus more!!

The last year or so gambling on them it was the likes of Rainbow Riches that was my preferred gamble …. thinking I could win the Gold pot each time, when in reality, these machines will sometimes not pay out until they have taken over £15,000!!!!

They are evil, as you say, a months wages can go in minutes/hours …. that’s not how life should be and I have taken the decision to stop …. for life!!

I’m now on Day 51 and after 25 years of gambling I feel the best I ever have in that time. Yes, it’s hard at times, but for me, the most important thing to do, is find something to replace the habit. For me, I have taken up fitness at the local gym, and it works, obviously I feel physically better, but mentally too.

Take a look at my blog, using this forum really does help me, and others, as we all are pretty much in the same boat and can gain strength from each other.

We can beat this horrendous addiction, but realise you have to make some life changes to beat (control) it.

[charles]

Hi RC, well done on looking for help.

Read the other stories here, you will see a lot that you will relate to. You will also see the success stories; what are they doing that you can apply to your own situation?

As others have already suggested, you can get yourself banned from your usual/local bookies.

Making yourself accountable so that you can’t access funds to gamble with helps as well.

Keep reading, keep posting. What positive actions can you take BEFORE your next payday?

[rosscoleman1994]

Hi Darren
Hope you are well and thanks for replying to me.
The FOBT ruin life’s. They just rob you of every last penny and what I’ve found out about them is the worst thing that can happen is you win all your money back. You put in £500 and you lose it. You put in another £500 and you win the £1000 back and you say to yourself. This is easy I’ll always win my money back. But next time when you lose the first £500, next time the second £500 ain’t so lucky either and you lose that too. Them machines should be banned as they can kill.

Your story really touched me. Being only 22 I’ve got a lot way to go and I’d hate to think what I’ve spent in only 4 years.

I’m currently on day 11 without a bet and I’ve had tough challenges such as the football and the horses but I’ve stayed strong.

How are you feeling? How are you getting on? I really hope you are staying strong and if you ever wanted a chat, I’m here for you mate!

Thanks
RC

[Anonymous]

First of all, I wanted to say how sorry I am that you’re in this position, but how happy I am you found this site.

I want to be totally transparent – Im an actor involved in a new piece of writing about this situation you find yourself in and it would be great to speak to you if you would be willing. The play is aiming to bring awareness to this issue and I want to treat it with the accuracy it deserves.

Many thanks, and all the best with your recovery,

FCP

[Author]

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