Resources to help professionals identify problem gambling clients and respond to their needs.
Help For Gamblers
For immediate help call 1800 858 858 FREECALL now. There will be someone to answer your call. Or, visit Gambling Help Online at www.gamblinghelponline.org.au for live counselling, email support and self-help tools.
Anybody affected by gambling (your own gambling or someone else's), can call the Helpline, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This service can give you the contact details for the nearest Gambler's Help or another service away from where you live if you would prefer this. Calls to the Helpline are free.
Gambler's Help is a free service for people who are affected by gambling. The services provided by Gambler's Help include:
- Free, professional, confidential counselling for people for whom gambling is an issue
- Counselling for the family and friends of people for whom gambling is an issue
- Financial counselling to help people with gambling-related money problems
- Community education and helping communities reduce the negative effects of gambling
There are Gambler's Help available throughout Victoria. Professional help can make a real difference.
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Counsellors and support for gamblers
FREECALL 24 hours, 7 days a week 1800 858 858, or go to www.gamblinghelponline.org.au for advice, support and help.
Calls to the Gambler's Helpline, and using online counselling are free. You can call or logon for help and support.
For the hearing impaired FREECALL 1800 777 706.
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Gambling Help Online provides free and immediate access to a qualified gambling counsellor, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can access this service from anywhere in Australia, at a time that suits you.
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I had lost about 11000 in the past 3 months leading to last week. I convinced myself that 1000 dollars was that I would spend otherwise if I would watch movies, do other things, etc... just to reduce the burden. I persuaded myself that 10000 dollars was the price that I paid to realise that I should stop it. I quitted for a week. Yesterday and today I started again and lost 5500 dollars again. half the amount that I lost in three months.
I want to stop it now. I don't want the money that I have lost. just want to stop doing it again.
I need to stop gambling before it stops me
I feel absolutely gutted.. sick and completely depressed.... I cant believe it. Ive lost $2600 in the last two days playing online...
i just want to die to be honest.. what the hell am i doing.
Ive gambled almost 7500 in 2 months. I'm sick. I just won 2000 and put it all back in. It's never enough. It's not the money I crave it's the playing. I need help. I've quit before and I can again. I'm so ashamed of myself and what I do to my kids. I hate myself. I could have done so much else with that money(it was borrowed from credit cards). I am a nice person except for this. I wish I never went online gambling. I'm so ashamed and am so scared that I cant quit. I know why I gamble for excitement and to escape my life (which is actually pretty good)). I am 46 and been gambling for 7 years and have probably lost70000 over that time. Every time I ask my husband for help he says it's my problem and walks way. He doesn't get it how badly I've screwed up and won't help me with any financial help. Ive overcome worse than this and can overcome this. I will be strong. I deserve happiness. I will make a plan on goals and things to do when I feel like gambling. I will remember I am always a gambling addict and look out for pitfalls. Day 1 of the rest of my life starts tomorrow. Praise god and praise his works; I pray my flesh and my spirit will be strong
My father was a heavy gambler and still is on the pokies.
I remember when he used to pick me up from school - on the way home he would stop at a tavern/pub and feed $20 after $20 into the machines. I wasn't allowed in the actual gaming room (still in primary school and only 14yo) but I remember standing outside looking at him through the windows. Once he started playing he completely forgot about me - I would just sit in the car and wait, what else could I do. I cant believe he prioritised the machines over me. He was so greedy when I asked for $20 to go to the cinemas with friends - and i was only 14 at the time, but when it came to the machines he would happily feed it hundreds. we used to live happily as a family in a waterfront house but now my dad lives alone in a small apartment. To cut to the chase, i am now 21yo and battling a pokie addiction. i dont blame my dad - i accept full responsibility of my actions because i am an adult, but he definitely played a part in my addiction. I am down about $1500, and my mother and father have divorced over his addiction. I have been off all forms of gambling for 1 month and am so happy. Please listen to me, DO NOT GAMBLE - YOU WILL DESTROY YOURSELF AND YOUR LOVED ONES. replace your addiction with a hobby, or if you want to spend money, at least spend the money on yourself, not on the machines. Good luck to all.
I'm a Canadian guy, 37 & already self-excluded from land casinos to control the urge. Much like many of you, once I start withdrawing money from the ATM, I will NOT stop taking money out until I win something or hit my daily withdrawal limit. Even if I do win something, we all know how hard it is to leave the casino with money in your pocket and not be tempted to keep playing.
The self-exclusion thing has been great, but then I discovered the online casinos. These are the most addictive places of all, you don't have to leave your home, or even go to an ATM. The sad part is there is no limit, they will let you keep depositing as much as you want from your credit card.
I had some incredible beginner luck experiences with them, winning $1000, $2000, and another $2000 from minimal deposits of $200... However, this just lights the fire for you to come back and win more...
So a few weeks later I try again, but of course it's dried up, I keep depositing money off my credit card until I have literally lost ALL of the money I had won from them.
So angry with myself, but I have forgiven myself because that is what happens when you win big amounts, you think you can repeat it again, you forget how rare that winning was.
The ONLY way to stop online gambling, is to install the bet stopping software on your computer, it worked for me 100%
I used [brand name]- Any time you try to access a gambling site, even if you manage to install a casino or open one up that was already on your computer, it interferes with the servers to absolutely prevent you from even getting to the banking screen.
Had I found [brand name]$5000 ago, I sure would have been happier, but I know that it stopped me from losing $1000's more.
It costs $69 but it is WORTH EVERY PENNY!
If you're even slightly thinking about doing this to control your betting DO IT NOW! INSTALL IT NOW! Do not wait another moment.
[Website Moderator - we aren't able to promote particular products on our site. However, it is easy to find these kinds of products by searching for "block gambling" or similar on a search engine like Google or Bing. Most will allow you a free trial period, so you can check how it works before you buy it. There are also some free web filters available. Asking a trusted support person to set this software up and keep the password secret will help you avoid the temptation to remove the filter.]
I have always played a bit of pokies at pubs and had some big wins and some big losses, but it's never been too bad becouse I can just leave, or not take my card with me.
Lately I've been playing online casino's and I can just use money right off my card as easy as 123.
I put 50 on to start, and had it up to 400, but took nothin out.
Next I put in 70 and got it to 300.
Again, nothing out.
Last night I put in 100 and had it over 700.
I went up and down hundreds at a time and took nothing out..
Tonight I just went through 600 trying to win something back.
I'm a first year apprentice and all the money I earn I can't help but put back through.
And having my card so easily accessible, I can go through hundreds in a matter of minute.
I feel horrible about myself and my lack of self control and since I first started that online casino I just get madder and madder at myself.
I've uninstalled and requested my account to be blocked along with my card so I cannot loose anymore, but I now have no money for anything and I was just paid.
I feel so horrible.
Just read all the stories from all the poor gambling addicts, its so sad to know how you feel because iam the same as you all, lost every cent i,ve made over the last 30years on pokies. Have a good job but doesn,t make any difference, still put it all through the machines. Would really like some help but don,t have any self esteem. Wen,t to one on one counsoling but didn,t help, need to go to G.A meeting where i can meet people in the same position as me. And yes i am up to my eyeballs in debt. Lets do something about this as we have lost enough!
I'm 29 yrs old, working as sandwich maker only get paid around 300 eu a week. At first I started to get into alcohol habits because I feel like my daily routine is too boring. That doesn't satisfy me, so I decided to start doing online gambling.
For the first time, I put in 20 euro and start playing roulette and I was wow so easy to predict the numbers and I won around 300 euro. Thinking that its nice to earn that much compare to what I earn at my job.
Now this is where it starts to hit me, after I heard about influence of Ashely Revell double or nothing. I figured out I would give it a go of all my winnings 300 + 20 my base. Because I was thinking that 300 is just the winning not my money anyway. Now it hits red and lost all and my 20 eu. Then frustrated and anger comes at that time. I instantly withdraw 400eu off my debit card and do it once more. And lost...
Now as I'm completely upset and want to chase back my winning, I decided to get abit drunk to wage another 400 as I think I wouldn't hurt much cuz of abit tipsy. And lost again... Finally my last debit card 500 eu on black and lost again. Well my saving for a year is dried up within 2 days. Feel very upset and depressing. As well as craving for more roulette.
Really regret, what I've done instead of blowing my money like that I could buy myself some nice branded shoes and new phone. But turning back the time is impossible.
I wish to disconnect permanently my internet betting on my victorian tab account
Reply from Website Moderator
Congratulations on taking this step to take control of your gambling.
To find out how to exclude yourself from betting with TAB online call BetCare on 1800 882 876 or email betcare@tabcorp.com.au
You can also find all the relevant information and forms at the TAB sportsbet website here: http://nettab.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/71
If you ever need support with controlling or stopping gambling, you can call Gambler's Help on 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.vic.gov.au
All of these things you have shared I can relate to. Gambling is ruining my life. I moved to go to school to escape the casino down the road from my house and now I drive an hour to gamble. I hate that I work so hard for the money I make, and have nothing to show for it. I don't understand why I am so addicted to pressing a button. I love sitting in the dark casino, where there is no sense of time and chain smoking cigarettes, the comps I got and the attention the slot attendants and other employees give me when I win. I went for four hours this morning and lost 460$ that's 120 dollars an hour I knew I would stay until I lost all of my money and I feel a sense of relief that I have no more money to lose for two weeks-but my loan payments are a month behind and I have poor credit from living beyond my means-I told myself that school would distract me from my gambling but I go to make myself feel better because I have very few people at school that I know-I hate the stress it creates in my life but at the same time I love it-it is really sickening
I have slipped. I lost $1000 in the last two weeks on the pokies. I tried to stopped it lasted 5 days. I have lost so much over the years I couldnt put a number on it. I am an addict and this week I am going to see a doctor to get the help I so desperatley need. I have put money into the pokies for over 10 years they have become who I am. Im ashamed, sad and lonley. I dont want to be a pokie addict I want my life to be normal and happy. I have young child who deserves a good mother who isnt an addict to the pokies and my partner works so very hard but I just put it into the pokies. Help is what I need so help is what I am going to get.
I started off gambling small amounts for a bit of fun when i was 21. I was never really interested in gambling but with my mates we would go in for some so called fun. After a while the amounts grew i would have a limit of $100 and usually stick to it.
One day i hit a big winner.. i won $3500 and continued to win for a little while.
The tables then turned i couldnt win anything and i was throwing my money away. As time has gone oni have lost alot more then i have one. I have been earning really good money as i am only 23 through hard work and commitment. However i seem to continuesly throw my money down the drain. I had $18000 saved and have blown all that now.
I have opened up to my parents and they know of some of the money i have lost.. However this week i messed up once again.. $4000 lost!
The time has come to once again speak to my parents however this time i am going to seek some help. Im finnally going to admit i have a problem. Im not letting this ruin my life. IM BETTER THEN THIS. I feel ashamed and embarased and im not to sure how i am going to break this to my parents tomorrow, because i will see the disapointment on there faces. They never raised me like this.
Im lucky i am still young, and as of today i have had my last bet. I have made a promise to myself i will never gamble again!
[posted on behalf of 'Solar']
hi my life is pretty sad because i spend my weekly wages in the tab and come home to be broke and cant financially help my kids and partner.i ve got a huge addiction at the tab and i need help can someone please HELP me
with support places and numbers here in brisbane and i would appreciate any supportive advice from people who have overcome any gambling addictions.please help me
Where do i start every cent i get goes stright in the pokies i always say ill just put a hundred in but end up puting every cent out of bank in in!like last nite had 3000 in my bank for my first hoilday overseas all flights and acc already payed for but no i just put the whole lot in the pokies it makes me sick thinking bout it now i have to tell my bf i have no spending money and cant go i dont know what im going to do everything is already payed for and i leave in two weeks!im so sick and depressed no one understands what its like to have this addiction they just say ur a idiot and stop but for me i try and cant and stress when i cant gamble and stress even more when i loose everything!
I am the now expartner of a gambling addict.
We have a 2yr old son.
My ex has been gambling on horses - both at the TAB & online since he was about 15 so for well over 10 years..
He would steal money out of my purse & I remember 1 time in particular where we had a couple thousand saved in the bank & he wasn't working.. But by the end of my work day all that money was gone...
I stayed with him for 6 years through it all.. He saw a great counsellor but never stuck at it.. The breaking point for me was when he cheated on me... You may be thinking but it wasn't the gambling but really a gambler is someone who is already cheating... It starts out as him cheating u out of money & ends up in breaking a family up by cheating with someone else... They both share the same principles... Lies, deceit, secretiveness...
Please if you like me, are the partner if a gambler, protect yourself! Left to raise our son almost on my own as most of his money goes into the horses.. Keep your money seperate to his! I know if I'd done that I'd be in a better financial position for sure!!
I'm only 20, and havent lost a huge amount of money as I havent been gambelling that long. I lose around $80 a week but then I realised that if I was going to dish out $80 for something I wanted to buy for myself, I'd think really long and hard about handing over the money. But at the same time, when I'm around the machine and tell myself "oh i'll just put through $5" I end up leaving $50 down. Can anyone give me advice as to what to do to stop myself from playing "just $10 more..." until I have no money left for the bus home.
25 Years old.
4 years ago I lost $35000, by playing online with Tab over the course of only 6 months. I didn't spend time thinking of the consequences of losing this much money. I earn minimum pay, So this money is huge for me.
Somehow without looking for help I manage to stay clear of gambling for several years and feel good about myslef.
But the temptation came back this past few months. Put $5000 to my TAB account and manage to lose $4500. I thought to myself what have i done? Why is this happening again? I found this site through google and after reading the comments I feel i must quit no matter how hard it is.
I have lost nearly 40k all up, Nearly every few days, I thought to myself wouldnt it be nice if that 3money is sitting in my bank account?
I really need help. WE need help.
I need to call to see a counselor. Closed down my TAB card. I like to go to the church again. Thats the things/steps that I/we can do.
hi guys,
read your stories, and im struggling to give the gambling up,
i have a 3year old daughter and a partner and my partner has just found out im in debt my £15k i really need help. can anyone give me some advise its these dam online gambling sites that i just cant stop going on
hi to every one,
iam deep.i spent two years of my valuble time for gambling.because of this i lost all friends.i used to borrow money and break the commitment.in the last two years,even i didn't eat properly.i used to pinch my food from my work place.
one day,when i turned back and look my 2 years time,nothing there except,broken friendships,broken relationships,broken commitments,debts,bad behaviour and always terrible tense.Then i decided not to live in this world.but,i couldn't do it.because,i realized the value of life when i saw social workers.
now i changed my life.iam not going to see the gamblig life again.iam clearing debts now. it takes 2 more months.but,now iam enjoying my life honestly.
prayer,weekly one movie,one take away food,some social sercice(aaatleast 1 hour a day)and drop atleast $1 a day in the coin box.
now,iam not making friendship with any one.because i thought i was not a good friend.but,the people,where i am meeting now are giving their heart.now i decided to dont break any friendshipand relationship.
finally,the world is forever.god gave to 100years of valuble time.but in our lifetime we have strength for work hardly 40 years.how can we waste that valuble time?friends,pl leave gamblingand get back ur valuble life.thank you my friends.
I found myself on this site after 4 years of not gambling. And out of the blue i mean from nowhere contemplating gambling again......! I thank all of you for sharing your precious stories.! It has been enough to WAKE ME UP AND SLAP MY SELF WITH A DOSE OF REALITY!
From 19-26 I have lost in excess of $100k I had to opt for a part 9 debt agreement so i am legally 1 notch of being a bankrupt, but thankfully i have paid most of it back.
How i changed my life to date: - when i found myself standing on a ledge seriously contemplating what i had done! That’s what stopped me!
My story now:- I have worked my guts out almost finished a law degree, saved $20k, PUT IT IN A TERM DEPOSIT, created a dual account with my partner that cannot allow for withdrawal without her permission. And i will damn well have a house by my early 30's to regain my life back.
Want to get over this WAKE UP, and i don’t mean that lightly WAKE UP OUT OF THE DREAM YOUR ARE IN!!!!!! Youre MAKING THE FIRST STEP TO REALISATION! BE HONEST TO FAMILIY PARTNERS and FRIENDS! NOW! MOST IMPORTANTLY HONEST TO YOURSELF. THE INDUSTRY IS HAPPILY BLEEDING YOU DRY, WELL ITS TIME FOR YOU TO DO THE SAME BACK TO THEM AND STOP GAMBLING! MONEY ONLY COMES WITH HARDWORK AND PRUDENT SPENDING NOT LIVING ABOVE YOUR MEANS.!
Hello its been 252 days and i havent walked in 2 a gaming room since and ive been feeling alot better with my life also my counsellor is so much happier with me aswell i see gambling is not worth it n its just a waste of time n money and i dont know y i use 2 gamble quite often but be4 i through it was fun but its not its actually quite depesssing and when i use 2 gamble also i throught winning was the best but u know wat ? mostly the machines dont even pay out so ur basically getting ya cash sucked out
Any hoo i havent been so happier and wat a life is out there that i was missing out on my life was around a pokie machine its gr8 thats i use my money now 4 other things n i have money left in my back account not like be4 it was empty n i wood have 2 ask 2 borrow money i dont have 2 borrow anything now n i can pay bak my bills etc
So peoples out there who have started 2 gamble read this and u will then relise GAMBLING IS NOT GOOD !!!!!!!!! AND GO N GET HELP BETA 4 YA :)
Hi,
I have been gambling since i was a kid buying scratch n win tickets, then betting on horses, pokies, texas holdem ..u name it.
I do find it very entertaining especially after a few drinks but i'm now in debt of $6000 over a few months and in desperate need of a new car.(i could've bought a 30k car by now but no i wasted my cash time after time.
I was earning over $1000 a week for two years and have nothing to show for it only debt.
I played pokies when i was having relationship problems sometimes losing $500 in an hour but i've learnt gambling doesnt solve your problems only makes them worse.
I went to the casino last night with a limit of $200.. lost it then went to the atm machine(big let down)This morning blew anotha 150 on horses and 50 online poker.
It's a terrible way to live your life gambling when there is so much a person can achieve if only they dicipined themselves more.
Everyone reading this is smarter than gambling and hopefully fed up of losing their money and getting nowhere in life.
Play some sports or go to the gym instead.. go and socialise or learn a class .. we can never learn enough.
Today is the day i'm going to quit gambling and reclaim my life. I'll just think of that song 'Blow up the pokies' by the Whitlams.
I would say good luck to everyone. but having a good life doesnt involve luck. It involves hard work and dicipline and that is what will make u a winner. =D
I have been a compulsive gambler for the last 5 years I'm 25. Started as a fun
Trip on my own winning $70 of $10. Followed by a few large sum of up to $3000.
Easy money? Till now I am
Constantly broke can't afford bills, rent lieing to loves ones where I am at 3am. The pokies are he'll designed to make you addicted and strip you of your life. Cant afford holidays, nice dinners, lot of times loosing up to $500 - $1000 per day. Cant afford a can of coke on the way home.
The only luck I have is that I'm not married have a house or kids because I would be loosing that in the process. The day I started gambling it's all that seems to matter, I lost interest in everything else and my happiness and success has been stripped to feeling alone, angry, stressed and depressed.
Something of advice 'your a looser when you walk through the doors regardless ehat you win or loose, because eventually you'll loose' don't do what I did.
My biggest regret is gambling, self exclusion has helped me I have not entered the venues I am banned from making it more difficult to gamble. Counseling and GA meetings are new to me but I am attending. Good luck all, your life continues when you stop. Peace
no surprises here, im a terrible person. a bad partner, mother and now i have to change. no more lies i know i have said it heaps before but no more gambling!! it just grabs a hold of me and nothing else matter. i know what he is going to say: how many chances? how many times? why? why? WHY? to tell you the truth the tables were turned i probaly would have left by now. i am trying you cant just turn it off. self exclusion on thursday no more excuses. i dont want to be trusted because i cant be trusted. i am out of control and i i keep going i am going to destroy absolutely everything......
Hi All,
After reading these posts I feel less alone. Thank-you all for posting :)
It has been about 5 months since my last bet.
It does get easier, but I still get urges to gamble, especially when I am stressed or bored. I have started walking and swimming more, I find these help me take my mind of gambling.
My debts have been going down and it is nice to have money now. When I was gambling, more often than not, I would be at the TAB on pay day, and usually leave with nothing. I couldn't even buy my little brother an icecream, or buy my mum a coffee, or have enough money for the bus ride to work, sad hey.
For me there is no half measures with gambling.
I cut up my credit cards, and closed my online betting accounts.
When I get paid, I pay my bills straight away using internet banking, and try not to carry around too much cash with me.
I am starting to get my confidence back,and feel better about myself in general. But I realise that complacency does not sit well with gambling.
One day at time I can beat this, thank_you God for getting me through this day without gambling.
Thankyou for giving me this opportunity to get my thoughts out, I have found it very helpful to read others posts too.
I understand what most of you are going through and wish everyone the best on their road to recovery.
Dan :)
I hope this makes me feel better, and hopefully some other people with our problem..
I bet as much as I earned sometimes on payday the lot was gone and blamed my job as the cause and was my release.I estimate over 150,000 over 18 years..Mum always taught me greed is a curse, but got trapped by friends into the game. My dreams and ambitions before Gambling had now dissapeared and controlled by chasing my losses.
I begin to see the amount of money owners and trainers are spending on Horses and where does it come from ? Us
I often dream of Gambling Institutions to be regulated heavily.
I promise this is my last time I say 'I quit !!!
I hope see get my life back where it was that 18 years ago.. the rest is a blur.
Maybe a girl back in my life , but the shame will take some time to heal..
Best wishes to all out there , take a deep breath and remember what you really want , You..
Hi,
I've been gambling for about 5 years now (severely financially for about 2 years). at only the age of 23 this is very depressing. my life has changed completely since i started. the group of friends i once had are now distant and my lifestyle has turned for the worst. the usual day would consist of me sleeping in until the afternoon, going straight to work, finishing, straight to the club and putting in every cent i have on me. i haven't managed to save anything in 2 years. now it's gotten to the point i've accumulated credit card debt and borrowed money off people (which i didn't want but they insisted i take it). i'm in debt about $3000 in total and don't make a whole lot a week. i tell myself every time i leave after playing that it would be the last time i ever play but something drags me back there every week (up to 4 times a week). i've confessed to my mother i have a gambling addiction and gave her control of my bank card, and wiped off the debt i had on it. then i thought i would be ok to have it on me which was a bad idea, the routine happened again. since i lost my last paycheck i've self excluded myself and put withdrawl restrictions on my bank card. these two steps hopefully will help me gain financial stability again. it just takes a bit of common sense and strength to push yourself away. i've also planned other things to do to keep myself occupied and get my mind away from those machines. i believe i have the courage and strength to get through this. no more lies, no more depression and loneliness, and especially, no more being broke, i'm getting my life back.
i will not gamble again. my life has more meaning than sitting in front of a machine pressing buttons all night whats the point?? even if i win i never come home with it. i have two wonderful children and a more than supportive partner and i just love them all so much! every week i would go ,spent all our money and lie to cover it up. tell myself that im not going again and as soon as the week starts again it happens all over again!!i am in so much debt. i dont want this anymore i love my family too much. i just want it to get out of my brain, to never think of going again its such a battle- but im going to do it this time!!!
My mum has been gambling on pokies for the last 12 years. She was introduced to the pokies by a friend as entertainment when she first went there. I wanted to post this message to anyone who knows of any friends or family who thinks its a good idea to 'have fun' and play some pokies to tell them not to play AT ALL. I have never put a dollar in a pokie machine in my life due to what she has put my family through. I was always close to being homeless as a teenager, and at one stage stayed in a hotel. I was really thin due to not eating as her paycheck would go to the pokies. I was totally reliant on my mum. I cant tell you enough that its just not worth it. [....]
I think I am on the verge of giving up gambling entirely.It is not easy as I still get tempted.I have had a problem for about 21 years and have lost around 50K as a rough estimate. I've had some big wins but more losses than wins. It is interesting reading the stories of everyones experiences with gambling. It does not matter what the amount you gamble whether it's hundred, thousands or even million you still end up losing alot more than you win. I might try and help in some way one day to problems gamblers, once I can declare I have fully given up gambling.
Hi everyone firstly i would like to say that i will never give one cent to the bookmakers ever again ..
this industry is out to make money from us not to give us money they are trained and know exactly how gamblers think and adjust the ridiculous odds to make us think who has a better chance of winning .. i betted on horse racing now let me tell you i had the best times feeling on top of the world and all that came crashing down so badly . i started out a $50 bettor and i was making a decent income for around $500 a day. i started to get right into it and was studying horse racing 24/7.. i then started to bet $1500-$5000 a race and was doing well at the end of day i would come out $8000-15000 a day i felt unbelieveable i was making so much money i was sharing it with everyone .. in 2 weeks i managed to make around $140,000 .. i thought i worked out how things work with horse racing until one day my mum told me i should quit while im ahead .. stubborn as i am i said yeah yeah.. next day there were bets of 10k , in one day i managed to lose 70k the next day i lost 70k in a blink of an eye i was going crazy . then i started to go into my own savings and now that i was stuck with placing big bets it was impossible to only bet small amounts and 2 days later i lost everything including my savings of 80k .. in one week i managed to lose around 200k i didnt know what to do i couldnt help myself i needed to keep playing i had no money so i went to the bank and got a loan and now that has dissappeared and now owe the bank 40k .. even if u win you will lose in the end thats how it is ..i have heard plenty of amazing stories in the casino there was a lady that won 28 million in one night at star city casino and they wouldnt let her bet big anymore she went to melbourne crown casino and lost everything .. [...] .. so all in all these people casinos bookies are all thieves raping our bank accounts and our lives theres so much more then gambling sure its fun at the start but the temptation is there and no matter how strong you think you are it will suck you in its all corrupt just remember that people .. its funny how while we are betting so big like its nothing we whinge about how much everyday living costs are .. it amazes me .. gambling is sick and now im going to get my life back ..
Reading everyones stories and knowing that you are not alone helps a bit... Writing this down, helps a bit...
I started pokies when I was 18 and am 40 now... I have a loving husband 3 of my own children and 3 step children, who I love very dearly... My husband can't stand it when I play the pokies and refuses to come to any clubs or pubs with me or when there is any sort of pokies. I have a good job and have easy access to money... I only gamble on a Friday afternoons, but lately it's just not a couple of dollars, or even hundreds it's gotten into thousands... Just last Friday I spent 2k and left with nothing... Totally devastated... I lie to my husband which I hate... I have tried to stop but I keep going back, it's like I have no self control... Well last Friday was enough... I am now 10k in debt to a credit card that I have to pay back... & I refuse to go any further in debt... Enough is FINALLY enough for me... I am putting an end to this repetitive circle...
I know I can do this... Life has so much more to offer than just sitting in front of a pokie machine...
My problem has not been with pokies, but with sports betting (AFL, NRL, tennis, basketball) and it has taken me to hell and back over the past 3 years. It is worse than the Pokies. There are similarities though - the lies, the friends I've withdrawn from, the horrible depression I feel - I would do anything to have my life back to the way it was.
The not so weird thing is, in the time that I am forced to stop gambling or I have a bit of money left and I'm not gambling, are really hopeful, normal days...I feel like I could have a relationship again, that I could actually save money again, that I can socialize again. Things don't feel so bad.
So, my small advice is - take a step back. If you have a job, take a break from gambling for a month, as hard as it is - see how you feel. You will be surprised just how quickly your state of mind changes. The depression of gambling cripples us. You gotta hang on and get through and plan a break from it.
Hello how are we all????
im on here again as before i had a really bad pokie probolem and eva since i met my new counseller my life has changed around its been fantasic im doing alot more now as i have that extra money in my pocket i can now go out and buy things and also have left over money 2 spend on other stuff my bf and i r more closer and so r my mates im always going out seeing my mates having a good time and not thinking about the pokies as much as i use 2 be4 .
My counsellor has given me alot of ideas and its made me so much happier and a couple of weeks back i had a to stop at a venue to use only the toilet there and i said 2 my self mmmmm should i put in 15 dollors so i took 15 dollors out of my purse and walk in to the loos and after wards i said 2 myself yes ill try again and then i just had a look at the ppls siting in frount of the machines and i felt so sick and sad as i said 2 myself that use 2 me sitting in frount of those machines and i walked out i felt so much beta n through stuff those pokies they can go 2 hell and i use the 15 dollors on other things i felt so much happier not putting that money in those machines .
Its been 48 days today since i havent been to the pokies i dont really think about them as much as i use 2 i did have my days that i wanted to go but i stopped myself n went 2 the movies or went out 4 a bit to eat or see a mate of mine or my bf etc so yeah
Im alot more happier look its easy just call the gamblers help line and they do help you i did it :) good luck every1
Laila
So its Friday and i am back at Tabaret again. I want to play the roulette machine only so i can gamble that $18 dollars to 200 and take my friends out dinner. I won $400 in the first 15 mins and i wouldn't leave and that 400 just prolong the session. I lost everything and went home.
Lying at home with no money and living a boring friday..The urge to gamble kicked in and i have to get my bank card off my other. I made it clear to her that i need to get $500 out of my account and gamble. I am not gonna lie about it, i really need the money to have my last straw and either win or lose..im done with it. She believed me and gave me my bank card..i took out $500 and went back to the Tabaret..both of the roulette machine was taken and i should've go home..but no i didn't go home..i went to play kangaroo machine and Heart machine..which i hate the most. I am well aware of the odds of getting free game and win huge from it..but i play it anyway because i have a delusion that i will get pay something to gamble.
After 30 mins..i lost that $500 and went home. This time i dont feel as guilty because i was honest where i'll spend that money. I said it to myself "that's it, can't win from pokie machine and even winning only prolong the session"
I only been gambling much the past 2 months..before this i play once in a while but now i found myself addicted..I am at the pokie every weekend and less time with my friends than before. I need to get out of this scene and rebuild my life.
Hopefully there is some place i can go to on weekend to share my experience with people and help us understanding gambling problems. I look it all over the website and it seems like there is none.**
**Website Moderator here - thanks for your comment! Sharing your experiences with people is a great idea. Contact Gambler's Help on 1800 858 858 to ask if they can put you in touch with a support group.
Im so sick of this ive fed the machines everything, it has ruined my life i used to be really good at sports and could have done whatever i wanted but instead i just isolated myself and gambled everything i have. I've let down my family and friends its like your possessed by evil. I have gambled so much and started when i was really young and would gamble on anything.I know every single pay, it is so embarrasing.People can do what they please with us cause we're desperates. Im stopping 4 good from 2day ive had enough hope some of u guys snap out of it too.
never playing again!
To all gamblers, yes there is a way out.. with the same passion you gamble you can quit...
My father has inflicted a lot of pain to my family and specially my mother. He has gambled all my family savings, at least $150K. I took 100% control of his finance and we got him professional help. If you want to keep your family and dignity give your pay check to someone you trust so he can manage your money. Its been 2 years free of gambling, but always keeping a watch on him. The wounds are deep but with time and hard work they can heel. Trust me you do a lot more than just lose money. You play with your dignity and your family love. Please find the way to stop, get help, be honest and tell people about your problem so you can get help NOW!
Im only 18 and tried gambling on my 18th Birthday. Like most gambling experiences that others have faced, I won the first few times i played the pokies. While it wasn't much only $30, it was enough to get me excited and soon addicted to gambling. Now 6 months down the track Im in debt and finding it very hard to keep in control of gambling and my finances, and continuously finding my self struggling to keep on top of repayments and everyday living expenses. While my income is enough to pay expenses and keep with payments of debts, its my urge to gamble that makes it impossible. Each Sunday night I say to my self that this weeks going to be the week i stop gambling, but it never happens.
To those who gamble, I know what its like to be addicted but urge you to control it ASAP as its only going to get harder. Even if you are lucky enough to win, you are going to loose in the long run as the excitement of winning will make you spend the winnings till its all lost again. Every time I have a big win like around $500 - $800 I actually end up in more financial trouble as it spend more than the winnings in light that im "Lucky"
You walk past me in the street.
You eat dinner with me at dinner time.
You enjoy having a hit of golf with me on the weekend.
Do you know me? Do you really know me?
I am a liar, cheat, thief!
I lie to feed my gambling.
I cheat everyone to feed my gambling.
I have taken money to feed my gambling.
I am an embarrassment to everyone around me.
I consider myself a disgrace.
But you don't know this!
You do not see this!
[...]
Today I went to the club and put through over $400.00 which was to pay my rent and bills this afternoon. I one hour I had not won anything and lost it all. I have no money to pay rent, bills or food. I feel so sick in the stomach not sure what I should do now but I know that I will not be going back to the club again.
I have just been reading some of your comments and understand only too well the dark place yous are in. Im 40 now and since 16 I have lost jobs, used others money, you name it I have done it. I never seen beyond my next punt, I never thought of the consequences of my losses (losing all I had or all I could get), the problem was , like most of you, you always manage to get by,w hich makes you gamble more and bigger as time goes by,and as some of you say everyone else seems to win,thats only because in a room of gamblers someone will always win,they too most likely lose 99% off the time. Like myself you have the worst and most dangerous and life ruining addiction possible as there are no end of places to do it,and you will always end up losing what you have,if not today then tommorrow.(in our nature if we won all the time we would get bored and probably stop sooner.O UR MEMORIES ARE SHORT AND WE QUICKLY FORGET THE RUIN WE CREATE AND YES IT NEVER GOES AWAY..i can only give my longterm view as i indeed still get caught sometimes,(as i say short memory)..all i can say is, if you can stop today forget the losses, then you will be better of for life, distance yourself from bettin shops, machines other gamblers, do not use online gambling (i lost $80000 and had to remortgage), if you have a pc install gamblock (fantastic thing about 80 dollars a year and cannot be removed unless you reboot, i did remove once only to lose more thousands and quickly reinstalled it..try not to carry cash. you have to find other interests or you'll gamble when your bored..go onto all gambling sites and ban yourself for 5 years,(if you take a bad beat, this you will do easier)..AND LASTLY REMEMBER HOWEVER LONG YOU QUIT, YOU CAN SLIP QUICKLY FORGET THE PAST AND USUALLY THROW YOUR MONEY AWAY HALF WAY THROUGH IN DISGUST AT RETURNING TO THIS HORRIBLE ADDICTION...IF YOUR ONLY STARTING TO HAVE PROBLEMS ..GO GET HELP NOW.. AND SAVE YOURSELF A LOT OF TROUBLE AS TIME GOES BY....BEST OF LUCK!!!
It is interesting that some people just want to bet no matter the odds at hand.
For instance, at a previous work-place it was common for workers to have a bet over an AFL match for a six-pack.
The hilarious thing was, it could be a match between Hawthorn and Essendon. Hawthorn paying $1.50 and Essendon $2.15.
If you are betting for Essendon to win, wouldn't you be far better off just placing the amount you would spend on the six-pack on Essendon at $2.15.....
It's not about knowing the odds. It's about that winning feeling and have a perceived edge against an opponent or against the 'house'.
I gamble heavily and am employed in the industry.
Editorial Page 36 ('of a Melbourne newspaper')..... talking about the devestation the new pokie machines will have on the community of Chirnside Park.
Funny how the final 3 pages in the sports section all have heavy gambling advertisement.
Some transparancy would be nice.
Seperating the pokie machines proximity and ability to interact with others has to be looked at. When you look at the amount of 30-45 female gamblers playing the pokie machines between the hours of 2-3 it is disgusting.
They band together and it becomes a support group where they are happy for one another when they win. If they don't win. There is always tomorrow.
i lapsed the other day.
i said to myself last wednesday once i blew my last dollar i wouldnt bet anymore!
on friday my weeks pay came through and today i went and gambled every last cent away!
i am filthy on myself. absolutely filthy.
i have a phone bill to pay, a trip overseas to pay for and a few outstanding debts due!
i cant believe the disapointment i felt once i fed the last $50 into the machine and put it on a $2 favourite which came second. i was just empty.
i couldnt help myself from putting it in.
when im here writing this i feel like theres no way im ever gonna bet again.
the fact is i know i am going to. i will try my hardest but im not confident.
it seems to get the better of me everytime,
i think. whats $20 here. not gonna do much to me bankroll or anything. that leads to $50 down then $100 down and before i know it. im broke again.
Sunday June 5th at 11:35pm.
i will keep posting on here everynight that i feel the urge to bet or how my dad went.
wish me strength not luck
I was a problem gambler. I played the pokies every chance I could, day in and day out for years. I blew tens of thousands of dollars, and wrecked my life and the lives of those closest to me. I lied, I cheated and I deceived my way through life, and I felt completely and utterly alone.
I could never stop, not of my own free will. Twice I was confronted by my fiancee; the first time I lasted a month, the second time I stayed gambling-free for over two years, but by that time I was alone. Although our relationship had other problems, I was the one who managed to burn it to the ground.
I rebuilt my life, met my current partner and we became engaged... and lo and behold, a few months before our wedding I started gambling again. Again I was confronted with my actions, but this time I had the support and belief I needed... and I've never looked back.
I'm still a problem gambler, but the difference is I don't act on temptation. I haven't played a poker machine in over ten years. The desire is still there, but I've learned to handle it. I've learned what's more important.
Now I want to give something back. I've started a blog, and I'm going to write about my experiences and what I've learned. Hopefully I can make a difference.
Just came back and realized what I had really done. Sitting here and reading all these stories makes me think... we know what were doing wrong, we know who we're hurting, we know how fast we loose control but most of all we know THE ODDS ARE AGAINST US! so why do we still do it?
I grew up hating my dad because he managed to loose all that my mum and family worked hard for before he came to Australia to reunite with us. I felt the anguish when my mum had to sell the house and down grade to rental with nothing in her name and no husband, till this day I remember the day we moved and my mum having $5 took me & my brother to buy 2 cones from maccas to make us happy.
Coming from an asian family, with a mum who worked so hard to get me and my brother to school I don't understand why I have turned out like this.
I've lied and constantly borrowed, I havne't hit rock bottom as me & bf just purchased a place 6months ago, thinking that this would change me... It hasn't! I've managed to borrow and make up on going excuses... It might seem like I'm a hard working girlfriend but deep down inside I know I cause him soo much pain as we have been through this 2 times already!
From today onwards I will control myself and make everyone know that I have a problem and am ashamed of it but better being ashamed now then later on when I've hit rock bottom & have nothing else to say for myself...
5months I have broken the barrier to smoking...& 5months on I WILL break the barrier to gambling!!! Good luck to everyone else out there...
This vicious cycle of gambling seems like a never ending process. I Have ruined the last five years of my life at cardrooms just to ease the pain of everyday living. I make the pact every time I lose, that I will never step foot in a casino again. It goes fine until the next payday. The funny thing is that I am actually an extremely frugal person, the type that will complain that the dollar menu at mcdonald's is too expensive...or maybe more likely it's because i don't ever have any money anymore because of the tens of thousands of dollars i have lost due to this addiction. I literally own nothing because I know I will gamble, and can't be tied down to any monetary commitment(car payment, cell phone contract...i have a prepaid). I sold my car last spring for next to nothing because I gambled away my rent money...tax refunds gone, savings gone, dignity and self worth gone. I want my life back and long for the happiness that I once felt.
time waiting for no one!time like your life
and time finding you an answer at last
you want answer good or bad it up to you
Firstly let me say i think this forum is wonderful. I never knew it existed, I was looking to talk out loud about my addiction and here i am. Like some above me, i have been battling the demons for about 15 years now. And i still dont know or see when this ends. And believe me it is not from a lack of desire to quit, God knows and everyone around me that i have implemented many stratergies to STOP. When reading all of the above commments i realise how alone i am not, as you all know a gambler becomes a very solitude person. Its our way of being able to gamble and the flip side its our way of trying to keep the ones we love protected from our mess. At the moment my personal life is in the toilet, my realationship is the worst it has ever been and it has been bad many times. My partner has now become very much a single person and what ever feelings he may possibly have for me are not shown in any way. It is like i am a boarder in the house, whom wonders aimlessly thinking whats going on. You see we have spent so many times over the years discussing the problem that he has just simply run out of energy. Its so very sad and i well up with tears every time. My family are also weary, but i do know they care and will always support me. The money problems just keep comming around every day and like every one else in this forum, ive borrowed, stolen, lied, manipulated, maxed-out credit cards, have personal loans, you name it and money has been sourced to fuel this addiction. At this very moment i cant buy a packet of cigaretts $15,i dont have any more than $1 to my name. There are two things i have as tips for abstenence and they are, some one reliable to take your money and pay things for you until a certain time frame, as this cant go on forever you must eventually take the control back. This person must be of a strong character, as you know, you as a gambler are the master of deciet and manipulation. Dont bother to do this if the person is a softy it wont work. And the other is where im at, try with all your might to find out what you are trying to numb? what is that thing? what have you not identified?, i believe its the thing thats keeps us all gambling. I deffinately was not born this way and as a child it wasnt there and in my teens there wasnt any desire like this, which means i can function without gambling. I will keep asking myself this question to find an answere. And to everyone whom writes in i feel your pain and truly understand your what you are going through.
To see the hurt in the eyes of the ones you love so much is the worst pain in the world.
I started playing pokies when I was 18 I can't believe that was 37 years ago.
Despite having a job for all that time earning well above the average wage I have no superanuation, no savings, no long service leave (cashed it in) and still owe over half the value of my house due to poker machines. I am currently separated from my wife while I seek some help, I don't know if she will have me back.
The crazy part is I know I couldn't win, but the pokies stopped me thinking about things, they numb you and let you escape to a place where you get off on the sounds they make and the thrill of a win, not for the money just to see the combination come up and watch the free games with expectation of what the next spin will bring. The really crazy part is I know how they work by affecting the brains neural pathways so that they become your automatic reaction to stress and knowing that can also see how those who profit from this are setting traps for our children to ensnare those who are vulnerable to addiction.
I am going to try and stop. I have given my wife total control of all my money and I am seeking out a support group and also addressing the problems I was numbing by playing pokies.
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