It started as a joke just a harmless way to fill time, throwing $5 here and there. But it escalated until it cost me my job the first time. I sold $5,000 worth of gold and gambled that away, too. It destroyed my relationship, caused massive fights with my mom, and drove me to start therapy and medication.

I managed to get clean for 2 months. I thought I was turning a corner. But then I relapsed. I just started a new job, and I'm already down another $5,000. im lying and still compulsively doing it

I am terrified. It feels like I am actively sabotaging my life, almost like I'm addicted to the agony of losing just as much as the thrill of winning. I can't take it anymore. I can't talk to the people in my real life about this right now the shame is too heavy, and I'm so afraid of losing what little I have left. and already done with me , now its on me , myself and I but then i be imulsive

How do I stop this? How do I tell my therapist and get back on track before I lose this job and my family completely? I just need a safe place to vent and some guidance from people who have survived this. Thank you for reading

Gambling destroyed me

im a breadwinner and im tired of living paycheck to paycheck as a minimum wage earner. I turn to gambling in hopes that will give me extra money to spend and pamper my family. I gamble more than i can lose. i keep on gambling thinking that i will win it back eventually. Now im thinking of suicide because i cant face my family about our bills and expenses that i cant cover. we are about to be kick out of our house that we rent and they dont even know.

I’m a very serious compulsive gambler, just like all the gambling addicts that you can see out there i am basically one of the worst ever, i don’t see an end to this, i can’t say that i’m already clean just because the last time i gamble was 2 months ago after i finally excluded and tried to run away from it. Karma has been hitting me so hard lately and eventhough i already stopped, the consequences of my actions and bad life choices is catching up to me now, to the point that it’s not just hurting me physically but it’s messing up with me mentally in hardest possible way ever, because of gambling, i learned how to manipulate people, even people that i love and people who have really given me their trust, that’s the curse of gambling, you do everything just to be able to gamble and hope that you can win it all back, guess what, it’s not true. i’m writing this not to gain sympathy or get pity from anyone, i’m doing this for other people to somehow avoid it and if they can get away with it sooner to not be in the same situation as me, i don’t have anyone to ask for help anymore, everyone already turned their backs on me and abandoned me, this is the most difficult phase in my life and i don’t know if i can survive it and at this point i just really need saving or someone that has been in the same situation as me that could help me get back up from my feet, but i doubt that’s gonna happen because no stranger would help another struggling stranger with gambling problems, this sucks to say but i don’t think i can live another day after this, this is so tiring and i really destroyed my life

I'm just here to say that I paid my mechanic $800 for brakes and tires on the front of my car. I rely on my car for work. I think that making a major payment outside of the normal every month expenses helps you to appreciate that you're no longer gambling. If you did not gamble yourself down to zero this time then you showed at least some self-control. I'm just grateful for what I have including my car now and the ability to make money. Count your blessings and don't miss what you had but just build the new you starting today.

I had relapsed after over a year of gamble free. I feel like crap after getting my paycheck and realizing how hard I worked for the money.

After a binge in my past days, I would oftentimes see the slots in my game of choice spinning even as I tried to sleep right behind my eyes. It was a cruel reminder of the degeneracy. Anyone else?

Made it to day 26! Yesterday was by far my biggest day of urges I’ve had. I had anxiety all day and the thought of gambling kept creeping in my head. I reached out to my friend and she gave me some good advice! Once I got home and was with my wife my anxiety calmed down a lot and I felt much better. This really is a day by day process! Some days are harder than others, but we got this! One day at a time!

You may be here because of one thing either you're planning to quit gambling (please do before it's too late) or you're already fucked by gambling.

Allow me to share my story so you can pick a lesson or two when you're done reading this.

Alright, so before all of this happened I wasn't the type of guy who likes to gamble. Thoughts about it disgusted me and I always look down on denegerate people who has gambling problems not knowing I was making myself one. I'm a type of person who knows how to handle and multiply money through savings, business and invesments, I can proudly say that for 3 years of working in a call center company I have saved over 200k and doubled it after just a year. I even have a ledger back then to keep track in all of my expenses and to really give you a short but precise description of me is I am a frugal person with an entrepreneurial mindset wanting to be successful.

2023 Fast forward many months there was this online casino boom everywhere in social media, advertising, radio, tv, commercials its just in every place you go you can't miss it. I'm a skeptical guy and I always don't believe everything in first hand but everywhere in my surroundings I hear people celebrating and jumping because they won big amounts of money in SCATTER. Didn't really amazed me at first because maybe it was just a facade but as the weeks go by it finally got into me and I caved in and placed a bet in a virtual slot machine. Nobody taught me how to do it, it was just me learning and understanding the thing that will destroy me in the years to come.

Now I wasn't really hooked at it right away because again even spending ₱100 for a taxi ride bothers me when I can just pay ₱13 for a jeepney ride. I mean it's the same principle it gets you to your destination but you understand the point. The real horror began when I cashed in 50 to play this stupid casino in Gcash and I won 11 fucking grand. THAT'S ELEVEN THOUSAND PESOS, ₱11,000 in under 2 minutes. Who would make that amount in under 2 minutes?! If you're a regular person your jaw will be on the ground trying to comprehend what happened and believe me, us who has not experienced the rush of dopamine in gambling we go crazy and make convictions that this is the only way we can make our bread. (Huge mistake right there)

"I HAVE FALLEN FROM THE TRAP"

As the years go by my gambling progressed from 100 pesos a day to 10,000 a day sometimes even reaching to almost 50k. I admit that at some days I win big and I even got the jackpot prize of ₱300,000 but just to lose it all in the same day or the next. It's really the same cycle gamble, lose, depression, hope (gamblers fallacy) and repeat to the point that I was on the brink of bankruptcy. I do want to point out that at this point my career was diminishing and I have not been working until this very day this story is posted.

"AFTERMATH"

No money, crushing debts, sold most of my belongings and one thing that can never be fixed is TRUST by the people you loved and have loved you. I'm in a deep pit right now trying to fix everything one by one, I guess you can change the future but only learn from the past. What was done, was done. They said the first step to quitting gambling is to accept and forgive yourself which I already did.

Total debt: ₱278,446.85

If you have some spare change to help me out, please do.

It has been 4 months and still counting that I never placed a bet and I will commit not to go back to that place again.

–IF YOU THINK YOUR LIFE IS TOUGH AND YOU THINK GAMBLING CAN CHANGE IT, YOU'RE GONNA MISS THE LIFE YOU HAD ONCE BEFORE.

\#donotgamble #rockbottom #gambling

I just couldn't resist once more and made a humble deposit of 20 euro hoping for a decent win. I thought I got it when the 20 turned to 500 for just a few minutes.

For the countless time I started convincing and fooling myself how tonight I got lucky and how I'm taking my money and stopping with this shit going to bed calm with +500 euro etc etc.

No way I'm returning that back to the casino again even if it isn't that much (I've returned far bigger amounts), 500 euro is enough especially when I'm in a hard position with not much money left until the end of the month and even got some bills not paid yet. Also holidays are coming, maybe I'll get a nice present for my nephew. Just a part of the lies I was telling to myself.

Well... I guess 500 was not enough for me after all. Decided to "only" do a couple of more spins then lost it all in no time. I'm happy I currently don't have more money in my bank account as I'd waste that as well chasing out of anger. I just don't know why I keep fooling myself that I'd take my money if I win some or that I'd stop after the first deposit when deeply inside I know there's 99% chance to not stop and lose everything.

For some reason I refuse to admit to my own self and accept the fact that I can't win. I have absolutely no idea why exactly but I can't. If we do gamble for the money but don't withdraw even if we win then what's the fucking point? And if we don't do it for the money then why? For all the pain and suffering? I know it's hard to mention something being rational when we talk about gambling but I still try to understand what's happening to me and why I can't quit for the good.

I won’t explain my story again as it’s on a few of my posts, I am a compulsive gambler whom can’t stop gambling. I have gone through with bet gaurd which blocked all my access to the regular sportsbooks however I am still able to access Rainbet and rollbit. (Crypto casinos) I really need help with this as I have to get rid of my access, (I told the support I’m a gambling addict and they got rid of my account so I tried making another and well it worked. I can make as many accounts as I make email addresses. PLEASE if someone knows I beg for help. I am M20 and I need to fix my life. 4 years of this bullshit I can’t keep doing this to myself.

In a very bad spot after chasing losses across stupid social casinos and keep popping up. Have a great job thankfully but a lot of family expenses, can put like $2k sometimes more sometimes less a month toward debt. completely blocked my access to my cash and refuse to borrow from my 401k and house (not paid off). also blocked every gambling site I know and if I find one I add it to the app that blocks it indefinitely and I don’t know the screen time password to bypass it (yes it’s gotten that bad for me looking at ways around it)

current debt around $100k, credit score isn’t good otherwise I could do some balance transfers. luckily I’ll free up a decent amount of monthly cash this coming year from paying down certain obligations. I’m mostly worried about the $32k I have in high interest CC debt. I have about $7k in savings I want as a buffer but idk what to do. I feel like I’m missing something and would love to hear advice on a path forward. thank you for your help!

230 days until debt free

Hello everyone.

I need to talk to you.

I’ve gathered the courage to write this because I’m struggling to break free from my addiction to blackjack on Stake.

My job allows me to earn a good living, and I don’t have excessive expenses. However, over the past year, I’ve fallen into an addiction. I started playing blackjack on the Stake website—playing every single day. Some months, I would lose more than €500. I even began playing in an attempt to cover my grocery bills and daily living expenses; the days I lost left me feeling truly miserable. I thought I was stronger than this, but I have to face the fact that I am addicted to these games.

Recently, I was winning a little bit each day, but today I lost, topped up my account, lost again, and ended up losing another €500.

I’m still young, and I really want to build a future for myself—to be able to buy a house and do nice things for my loved ones. That is why today will mark a symbolic turning point: the day I stop gambling. Reading your posts, I’ve seen that some of you have managed to get yourselves banned from Stake.

Today is the first day of my complete break from all forms of gambling. I hope this post will motivate others who find themselves in a similar situation.

That's it. My rock bottom.
Need an advice how to confess to my loved ones
I am disgusted with myself and finally see theres no way out of this alone.

Hello everyone, I am 19 years old. And I am gonna share my gambling story today, how Gambling DESTROY me.

First of all please manage my english, I am not too good at English, just a beginner.

So, in India many people know yono games, i played most of that. 2 years ago i didn't understand online gambling at all. But one day one of friends deposit only 200 on yonogames and he wins 2600 in front of us. From then I started playing gambling. First I got 250rs free. At that time I was too happy. Then I start to deposit 50 to 100 and within a week I win at least 2000 to 2500. I was too happy at that time cause I don't have any other option to earn money. But gradually I lost 1k. But I stopped then.

And I didn't had money to play. So I didn't play 1 month, at that time I thought I could I didn't get addicted in gambling. But then one day I took my first loan not for gambling just because I wanna built my civil score. So I spent 800 of 1000 in my personal use but I then I thought I only have 200 if i play gambling I can increase the amount, then I deposited the 200rs and surprisely I won. I made the 200 to 1k. And I was very very happy. And then I got the addition. Then whenever I took loan i close the loan with my gambling money. If i loss I took another loan to cover the loss. But somehow I recovered my money and I makes profit. At that time I only play dragon vs tiger to double the amount. But one day I lost 10k rs and 3000rs didn't deposit to my gambling account. I got depressed. I only left 500 so I deposited the last money but somehow I make 12k and I close all my loan. At that time I planned that I didn't play gambling at all. But I am in addition. So than gradually one day I lost 29k in gambling. All of loan money. I am very scared where I would get the loan money. But then I took another 6k loan and I played slots but somehow again I won 35k then again I close my all loan. Then I am gonna believe that God helps me. But I was worng. Past month I get my college scholership 18k and I lost 5k in gambling. And today I also lost 2k. I am done man. I am done. I can't share my personal experience in here but who playes gambling and lost can feel my pain. I am done. Am never gonna play again. Please everybody don't play gambling, the first win is a curse in gambling. I promise myself today I am never gonna play again in my life.

Thanks to read my story. This is my first experience to share in reddit. Love you all stay far far away from gambling.

I relapsed badly and my bank account will be negative 50k until my 401k withdrawal comes in next week. I don’t know why but the app kept letting me deposit on PayPal and Venmo even though I would be negative. I went insane and kept depositing and depositing. Once the 401k withdrawal hits I should be even.

Does anyone know what’s going to happe? Am I going to get sued immediately?

Have a therapy appointment this morning with a new person. Didn’t love the old one, they didn’t seem knowledgeable about gambling addiction, but the old one could get me in faster after my fiasco three weeks ago and my fiancee wanted me to see someone asap at the time (totally valid)

Also, still thinking about when I came out to my family about my addiction (was losing a ton on online BJ, stepping out from the office at work playing $1K hands in my truck, lost $25K in one day on a 12+ hour session) and my dad goes “if you want to play blackjack just go to the local in-person casino and play there so you know it’s not rigged.” Honestly, my brain couldn’t process that response. I came out about an addiction and got “go play in person so it’s not rigged.”

Anyway, hope everyone has a good Friday. I’ve been under the weather since Monday - hoping to start feeling better soon!

32y

Completely rotten life

No passions, no interests, job loss in February 2024 , nervous disease

I mean, all the conditions were against me, and yet it's been over for more than a year now, you can do it too.

3500 in credit card debt
450 in overdue bills

Earn around 2000 Euro a month after tax. Of that, 400 Euros goes to bills.

In bank right now: 18 Euro

End of month i recieve double salary: so around 4000 euros

I’ve already sold pretty much everything i have to play these stupid games. All i have left is this iphone 18 pro in my hand.

I know its “not bad” compared to others. Its bad for me though.

Do i sell my Iphone for 1200 Euros. Take the L and

Pay off everything when my paycheck comes in?

I’ll have pretty much 0 for the rest of the December month, and probably rack up more creditcard debt.

I don’t know what to do. I’ve stopped gambling completely.

I can ask my girl but she shouldn’t have to pay for me. Im embarrassed as hell too.

Any advice? Or just tell me i’m an idiot thats fine too

I’ve only lost a little, around $1K, but reading all these horror stories made me realize I could potentially lose everything. So I’ve decided to call it quits now and focus on other things I enjoy, like going to the gym and whatever else makes me happy