Finally asked for permanent self exclusion (lost $7.4k qkly)

I lost $7,400 in the past few days in sports betting, using an agent and I've finally asked the agent for permanent self-exclusion.

Previously I was debating with myself if I should self-exclude or not, I thought maybe I will still make something out of it but burning $3,500 in just less than 2 minutes on a Tennis match where both players are 4-4 in a tie break and I chose the wrong player to win the set - that's enough ... whatever made me make that choice - this is more than enough for me ...

My mind was all about gambling in the past few weeks/months, I tried to keep it "under control" but to no avail ... this is just impossible, and I had enough ... it did affect my family life, and I might have enough finance to support the losses I endured (I'm not in debt) - nonetheless I don't want to hit rock bottom, and I'm actually sort of hitting rock bottom already with my personal life, by neglecting my family life, my health, and many other aspects in life I couldn't look at because I was too busy checking odds, trying to guess who would win, thinking about conspiracies, reading the script, rigged games - it's all futile attempt to make money that won't last.

Even if you are truly lucky to make a lot of money from it - your chances are so great to lose it all in the end.

I am unfortunately not doing great at work right now, I did do extremely well several years ago but I'm trying to become successful again - it definitely won't come from gambling, that's for sure .... gambling is not only a hindrance but it's a big obstacle in your path in life ...

And it doesn't matter what you bet on - Tennis, NBA, Horses - dealing with it is just a futile attempt to get something out of it.

I'm 33 years old now ... I truly hope I can put this all behind me, I truly hope so ... self exclusion is just one tool but I'd require so many other tools as well, but it's a good start ... I will try to build as many walls as possible.

I promise to visit the forum and post more often, as much as needed. Thanks for reading.

Self-exclusion is a very powerful weapon in this battle , NoMoreBetsPlease . It's great that you've taken that step . It will serve you well .

I justified my gambling for years by saying I could afford to lose the money . Now - no surprise - I'm nearing retirement and far behind where I should be . That's not even counting the time I lost and connections and special moments with people I love .

I can't get that time back , but I can spend what's left of my days creating priceless memories with my family and friends instead of chasing after the slim chance of easy money and a cheap , temporary gambling thrill .

NewSunRising wrote:Self-exclusion is a very powerful weapon in this battle , NoMoreBetsPlease . It's great that you've taken that step . It will serve you well .

I justified my gambling for years by saying I could afford to lose the money . Now - no surprise - I'm nearing retirement and far behind where I should be . That's not even counting the time I lost and connections and special moments with people I love .

I can't get that time back , but I can spend what's left of my days creating priceless memories with my family and friends instead of chasing after the slim chance of easy money and a cheap , temporary gambling thrill .

NSR, can I ask how long have you been gambling free? Are you from Australia?

June 1 will be 3.5 years . I am addicted to slot machines . I never really gambled on anything besides that .

I am from the US but I have traveled in Australia . One of the best trips of my life .

NewSunRising wrote:June 1 will be 3.5 years . I am addicted to slot machines . I never really gambled on anything besides that .

I am from the US but I have traveled in Australia . One of the best trips of my life .

Slots machines = Sports Betting

Anyone who claims differently is just plainly wrong ... yes, sports can involve some "skills" or information but the bookmakers factor it all into account, even the best "handicappers' in the world would get it wrong one way or another and the element of rush/stress/losses is no different than playing in slots by all means whatsoever.

I don't really attach that much importance to the particular form the addiction takes . If we're uncontrollably wasting our time and money on gambling then I don't think it matters much whether it's slot machines , scratch tickets , sports betting or stock market investment .

The common denominator is our inability to stop even when we desperately want and need to .

That , to me , is the definition of addiction . The substance is variable , the compulsion is universal . I think that deep down , we know long before we admit it that we are addicted to something but addiction has so many tactics for keeping itself alive . It justifies , it promises , it persuades and it convinces .

Denying the addiction sends it into survival mode . It must be fed . All those little whispers become screams , the persuasion slowly devolves into demands to " JUST DO IT " and the promises become threats . The addiction begins its campaign to wear us down until it gets what it wants - indeed , what it needs , to survive .

Getting through the discomfort and seemingly endless mind-assault during withdrawal is the point where many of us relapse . It's so much easier to give in and just have a few minutes peace in our heads . The danger of that is , just like a child throwing a tantrum for a toy, we have now taught it exactly what it needs to do to achieve its goal .

Stay strong is more than just a buzzword here . It really does take strength to make it through the first stages of recovery from addiction . It take strength to even admit out loud that we have a problem that we are struggling to overcome . In the first days and months of battle , every bit of that strength will be necessary and many of us who have made it into recovery feel the need to share our strength and message of hope with the ones who come here seeking freedom from the chains of addiction .

That is the beauty of this forum , of our community here and the message we come here to impart :
You are not alone in this fight . We've been where you are and we want to tell you that there is a way out . No one is doomed to addiction . No matter how long or hard the battle may be , whether you're winning or losing the fight at this moment , we will be here for you . Never give up .

Very nice words NSR, thanks for that.

For me self-exclusion worked the best with so many sites, I have self excluded myself from so many sports betting websites - I've reached a position really where if I can't bet at least $1k-$2k on a sports event then I'm not really interested in betting ... the "good" thing about it is that I don't trust regular websites who ask for ID + Verification because I know it's just a tactic to stall time and I know they also limit you very fast (some websites have limited me in the past - which was identical to self exclusion to be honest)...

So my only option is to use a few big websites which I'm already self excluded from, but using an agent I can easily deposit in these sites and they would open an anonymous account for me, and with the use of Bitcoin it's completely anonymous - but I've told them finally that I want to be completely self-excluded from their service, and they do hold a license where if they will break this code of conduct then a lawsuit can be filed against them ... They still have to verify who you are for regulation purposes ... That's a good thing in my opinion because otherwise anyone can easily open accounts without control.

I'm currently in discussion with a lawyer in the jurisdiction where their license is being held because they do lots of shady stuff, I think putting an end to it would do good for so many people ... This involves very big companies, for now it's on a very small scale but it might become big news in the media sooner than later ... I have lots of rage against the gambling industry and that's why I am going to report all the shady activity to the relevant parties who can enforce serious actions against these shady operators (where there is money to be made they will be motivated to do so).