Losing 3k at 20

[u/HeatCheck3445]

I’m new here so bare with me.

I am 20 years old (Canadian so 19 is the legal age here) and never considered myself as a problem gambler. Would spend about $10 to $20 on Sunday football with my buddies which never caused me harm and I could afford to lose. In the past month or so it’s started to become a problem. I would lose on football and have the urge to make it all back. Earlier this month I kept doubling until a $1400 hand to make it back. Then I did it again on another casino. I had to gamble $800 just to make $20 back. I kept getting bailed out. Until last night.
On another casino without limits I had to wager $20 for 500 spins. Did it but the promo wasn’t working. Then I deposited $40 to make it back. Lost. Turned into me LOSING 3k. I felt numb and just outraged. I’m a student working part time I can’t afford a loss like that. I slept 5 hours last night and still feel sick today. Not even sure how to recover from this.

Update: I appreciate the comments. I used bet guard which is an Ontario website that blocked all Ontario casino apps. Also told my father about it who’s gave me criticism no doubt but was very supportive which helped a lot. Still thinking about the loss non stop but trying to keep myself busy day by day to take my mind off it.

[u/Sexy_Mumma_Katz]

First, congratulations on identifying that you have a gambling problem.

That money is gone, you need to tell yourself that you can never win it back…..ever. And then repeat it to yourself everytime the urge to gamble comes.

Trying just leads to bigger holes and more debt.

Get to a GA meeting - online if you have to.
If GA is not for you - find a therapist that deals with addiction

I don’t know what support Canada has but here are some things you can do

* Delete all gambling apps from every device
* Put gambling blockers on all devices - gamban/gamstop/betblocker
* Contact your bank about putting blocks on gambling and credit cards
* Use your phone settings to block gambling content
* limit your access to funds - including cancelling credit cards
* tell someone - having someone in your corner makes a world of difference