Ex-Gambling Addict Shares Experience of Losing Control and Path to Recovery

(AsiaGameHub) –   In the past week, new lawsuits have targeted US betting firms, accusing them of promoting problematic gambling habits. In the UK, Bet365 faced criticism for not stepping in to prevent the death of a 19-year-old gambler. This has sparked debate over the responsibility of operators when gamblers lose control. We spoke with a recovered gambling addict to learn about his journey to overcoming the issue and his perspective on who bears blame.

A UK inquest determined that Arthur Soames died by suicide, with his mental health struggles worsened by gambling. The coroner stated that on the day of his death, Soames had “drained all available funds and credit.”

“That’s exactly how I felt,” remembers another UK resident who acknowledges battling a gambling addiction. He chose to stay anonymous, having never disclosed the full extent of his struggles to friends or family.

“I took out bank loans, maxed out my overdraft, and had nothing left. I recall placing accumulators—parlays for those in the US—that could have recouped some losses. One looked set to win, but a team from a country I’d never heard of scored in the final minute, making me lose. I collapsed on the floor, screaming.”

We asked the anonymous gambler about his recovery in an interview this week.

“I searched online for ways to get out of debt and found something called Debt Management Plans. I contacted StepChange, and they were incredible. They reached out to my banks, froze interest on my loans, and I set up a repayment plan.”

StepChange is a free UK service that assists people in managing debt. With a manageable payment plan, his finances stabilized, though the urge to gamble remained strong.

“I still thought maybe I could win it all back. I’d been up before—had around £10,000 ($13,000) in my bank at one point. But then I lost it all and kept losing, trying to recover what I’d spent.

“I lost that £10,000 and another £10,000. The biggest issue was chasing losses. I’d gamble on sports; if I lost, I’d switch to online casino games like blackjack or roulette, hoping to win back what I’d lost. Then I’d lose there too and keep gambling more to recover.”

He remembers a day when he lost over £7,000 in a single session.

“I used to have a strategy: I’d draw a line of how much I wanted to win. If I aimed for £100, I’d list five £20 increments. I’d place a bet combining two numbers—if I won, I’d cross off two; if I lost, I’d add one. In theory, I could profit by winning fewer times than losing. With a 50-50 bet like red or black on roulette, I thought it was a solid strategy. It worked—that’s how I won £10,000. But then it failed, and I lost 12 spins in a row.”

The gambler’s fallacy suggests that if the roulette wheel lands on red, black becomes more likely next. Some roulette strategies advise increasing stakes, doubling down. Such traps can lead players to lose large sums.

A different approach might be that of AC Milan manager Max Allegri, who gave large tips to dealers to influence wheel spins toward winning bets.

“I kept betting on red, but it kept landing on black. The numbers on my line grew, and soon my bank account was empty. I think I lost over £2,000 on one spin—more than I earned in a month.”

How did he stop?

“After enrolling in the debt management plan, my mindset shifted. I finally realized I’d never get back that £10,000 I’d won. I gave up.”

“I also left the UK. That helped—no more gambling shops around, no gambling ads in sight.”

Are Gambling Companies to Blame?

Calls to ban gambling advertising in the UK have grown louder. Starting next season, the Premier League will no longer feature betting companies on the front of team shirts, though anti-gambling groups urge the government to take more action and restrict all promotions.

“Substantial evidence shows gambling harms many who engage with it and those around them, with advertising key to both starting and increasing gambling,” says the Coalition to End Gambling Advertising (CEGA). “There’s also evidence that gambling ads threaten recovery for those who’ve stopped.”

The gambler we spoke to said changing his environment was crucial to quitting. He moved to a country with few betting options and made new friends who didn’t discuss gambling.

Is banning gambling ads the solution?

“I’m not sure ads need to be banned. Most people can bet without issues, but I lose control. It’s the same with other vices—alcohol, drugs, smoking, you name it.”

Do you blame gambling companies?

“No. I was the one who lost the money. I placed the bets. I don’t believe the companies went out of their way to encourage me. I think the key is for people to be informed. Understand your chances of winning. Consider how much you can afford to lose and never try to recoup losses. Money will return over time. It took me around four years to repay all I’d lost. At first, it seemed like it would never end, but I settled all debts about eight years ago.”

Last week, we spoke to Robert Walker, author of a new book on DraftKings and the backlash the company faces over claims it promotes problematic gambling.

Walker similarly emphasized that gamblers should take responsibility and understand why operators offer incentives like free bets to encourage gambling.

Empathy Is Everything

Are you still tempted to gamble?

“Not really. I might bet on football (soccer) sometimes, but I know I won’t make money. Since paying off my debt, I’ve barely placed any bets.”

Did you seek other help?

“No. I never told anyone. Shame held me back. People say you shouldn’t fear asking for help, but I preferred keeping it to myself. I knew friends or family would be shocked and judge me. I didn’t want to be labeled a gambling addict—it feels like a failure, like weakness.”

Noah Vineberg, another recovering gambling addict, says, “Empathy is everything.” He added, “Recovery is the greatest gift you’ll ever give yourself.”

If you’re struggling with gambling and want to share your story, contact adam@casinobeats.com. Resources are available to help in the UK and the US.