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Paul Parkin is an experienced, qualified Gambling counsellor with many years experience of working in the gambling field. He offers confidential online counselling and support to people addicted to gambling and specialises in online work. Gambling Information The Lottery in London, Scratch Cards in Sunderland, Greyhounds in Grimsby, Fruit Machines in Felixstowe, Casinos in Chester, Horse Racing at Aintree, Bingo in Blackpool, Football Pools, online gambling, wherever you are - we could go on. The point is, there are many, many ways and places where we can Gamble today. With technology changing as quickly as it is, we can even take part in each of these activities from the comfort of our own homes, through the Internet or Interactive Television, or just by picking up the Telephone. Gambling has for some people become a way of life, for others it has ruined their lives. Sounds exciting doesn't it? It can be, but for those people who lose control there can be devastating effects. The latest Gambling problem is the surge in Online Gambling. Anxiety and Depression are not uncommon in women with addictions, but Kath was not addicted to drink or drugs, but Gambling. She spent the day playing online poker. One of the fast-growing group of women turning to what has in the past been a man's game, Kath was lonely with her husband working long hours running his own business in an afluent northern city. She first tried online poker when she was "feeling old and fed up". Within a fortnight she had lost £1,700 and within a year had five-figure credit card debts that she still hasn't told her husband about. "It's very numbing, you really get lost and don't snap out of it. It feels like you're on medication. Now that I'm getting counselling, it feels as if I've woken up." 
I used to go to bingo twice a week abd enjoyed meeting my friends there for a natter. It was there that i became addicted to playing the bandits (fruit machines) I now spend way too much on them and don't have enough money for housekeeping. I don't even enjoy the bingo these day because of my compulsion to the machines. My husband has strted to notice there is not enough food in the house. He loves me very much but I feel so ashamed to tell him I am in a mess. What should I do? Renee ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hello Renee Fruit machines or (bandits) are designed to get you addicted, all those flashing lights, jingles and the the promise of huge payouts. There is a lot of clever people working on creating those machines so that they are addictive so please do not feel ashamed ok. Your husband loves you and the best thing you can do is tell him what is happening, hopefully he will support you in kicking the habit and you can go back to enjoying your bingo with your friends. If you would like to talk to me about anything, please feel free to email me again. Best wishes Paul - Online counselor and life coach. |
What is Gambling? Actually there is no single, clear cut definition of what Gambling is but it is widely agreed that:
Two or more people agree to take part in the activity (usually an operator and the person who wishes to Gamble)
Normally money (the 'stake') is paid by the Loser to the Winner
The outcome is uncertain
The result is determined (partly) by chance
Participation is an active experience but can be avoided by not taking part.
A brief history 2000 BC Egyptians used knucklebones as four sided Dice
1500 BC in China, spinning discs were used to play an early Roulette game
210 AD the first recorded Horse Race took place in England
1588 the first Lottery was approved in Britain by Elizabeth I to raise money to repair the Cinque Ports
1895 Charles Fey, a mechanic from San Francisco produced the first Slot Machine, or Bandit.
1906 Gambling in public was prohibited by the Street Betting Act
1926 the first Greyhound Race in Britain was held in Manchester
1926 Winston Churchill imposed a Betting Tax (abolished three years later)
1960 the Betting and Gaming Act legalised Betting Shops in Britain. Before this there was widespread Illegal Gambling
1964 Gamblers Anonymous was founded in the UK (having originated in America)
1994 the National Lottery was launched
1995 Lottery Scratchcards were introduced
1996 for the first time Betting Shops were allowed to have (a maximum of two) Fruit Machines, or Bandits
 Signs and Symptoms of a gambling addiction problem If Gambling is having a Negative effect on your Life, this is a clear indication that it is a Problem. An early warning sign for the Gambler may be an experience of Euphoria in the event of Winning (often accompanied by an urge to Win more) and an increasing Low when Losing. The cycle usually begins when the Gambler begins chasing the perceived Loss.
Those around the Gambler may experience subtle changes such as Mood Swings or more disturbing indications i.e. increased Demands for Cash or Social Withdrawal. This can be quite frightening for both parties. It’s normal and often appropriate to feel Anxiety around these issues as this is often the catalyst for dealing with the problem pro-actively. Now may be the time to talk to an online counsellor with experience of gambling addiction.
Some more signs that might indicate problem Gambling may include: Mounting Debt/in debt
Increased Borrowing
More time spent away from usual activities, i.e. Family Time, Hobbies, Homework.
Preventing others from retrieving post/mail such as Bank Statements / Telephone Bills
Sporadic Generosity.
Selling of Possessions
Criminal Activity Physical and emotional symptoms may include: .jpg "Image") Loss of Motivation
Increased Lack of Concentration
Weight Loss
Insomnia
Unusual Aggression or Extreme Elation
Depression and Anxiety
Why do we gamble? The motivation to Gamble. We all understand that Gambling offers the chance of winning Money or Prizes, but have you considered some of the other reasons why people might choose to Gamble?
Risk taking It is human nature to feel Excited when taking Risks and the positive feeling gained from Gambling is no different. "Will my Numbers Come Up?" "Will my Team Win?" The sense of anticipation creates a natural high, an Adrenalin Rush, a feeling that very many of us seek when looking for fun and Entertainment. A feeling that some people believe they cannot live without.
Escapism The Gambling Environment can provide an Escape from everyday life. Whether it be the glitzy Casino Environment, a loud and exciting Amusement Arcade or even an Online Betting Company, for the time that we are taking part we can be surrounded by different people, different sounds and emotions, all of which Stimulate and Arouse our Senses.
Glamorous 
The Media and advertising often portray a Stylish, Sexy, Fashionable Image of Gambling. In film and TV we see characters enjoying a night at the Casino or an afternoon at the Races. There is often a suggestion of 'High Society' and attending at 'a place to be seen'.
Social Gambling is accepted as part of this country's Culture and as such is widely participated in (with varying frequency) by the majority of the population. Some young people are introduced to Gambling by learning to Play Card Games with their Parents at home, maybe we go the Bingo with friends on a Friday night or meet after School at the Amusement Arcade. We may become interested in dog or greyhound racing, horse racing, poker, football betting, or any of the onling gambling options. If it is causing a problem to you, then you need help. Why not book your special introductory rate session with one of our Gambling addiction Counsellors to see how we can help you. You can get the Help you need right NOW online and from the comfort of your own home.
CLICK HERE to book NOW! Take advantage of our *Special rate introductory session. Or click here to go back to our home page.
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