‘I was stealing money from my father’s bank account’

AS a nation we have been betting far beyond our means.

Figures from 2007 show we gambled €14 million every day that year, spending €930m in Paddy Power retail shops alone.

Latest revenue figures reveal that in excess of €3.6bn was gambled in 1,093 betting offices during 2008 – representing a rise of almost €300m from 2006 and a slight increase from 2007, despite the decline in the number of bookies by almost 500.

While no figures are available yet for 2009, the recession will undoubtedly have hit the industry this year. Gamblers Anonymous has reported a surge in the numbers attending meetings, many of whom have been forced to face up to their addiction because of the economic climate.

Now that the safety nets of credit cards, loans and a country awash with money have fallen away, the underlying problem of addiction and compulsion is more apparent than ever before.

John, in his 20s, recently sought help for his addiction, which last year caused his life to spiral out of control. His problem started at an early age.

“I had an aunt and uncle who went racing and I often went with them, it was socially acceptable to bet. That was how I was first introduced to gambling.

“When I was about 12 or 13 I would have been betting very small amounts. As time went on I became more and more involved and began frequenting bookmakers.

“Sometimes it was during school time. It was well known in my family that I gambled – but I would have hidden a lot of it and they didn’t know how much of a problem it had become.”

When John finished school, the problem got worse and he began stealing money from his family. He began college but often skipped it to go to the bookmakers.

“I’d spend all day in there. I became quite isolated as I was gambling on my own and very secretive about it.”

While John also gambled online, he soon closed the account as the amounts he was losing were detectable through his bank account.

“For me it was mainly horses I betted on. I would have played poker quite frequently with friends. They saw it as a bit of a laugh but I would always want another game.

“I’d be reluctant to say what kind of money I’ve lost – but it was an extremely substantial amount.”

John says he knew from the age of about 17 that he was not well, but the problem only came to a head last summer.

“I was stealing money from my father’s bank account. I robbed my family’s business very badly and it got to the stage where I staged a robbery in the business just to get money to bet.

“It was well known by now that I had a problem but I wouldn’t listen and thought treatment was just for losers – I thought I could do it myself.

“I was eventually brought to the Rutland Centre by my father and underwent the treatment programme there.

“I was so bad that I could not stick to it. My mind was rotten from the gambling.”

However, John did go through with the programme and has not gambled since he left the centre – thanks to the support of Gamblers Anonymous meetings.

“I would not be where I am without GA and cannot stay gambling-free without it,” he says.

“At my first meeting I broke down and cried – just being able to relate to people was such a relief.

“It can be extremely difficult at times but they are fantastic people. They made me feel wanted and included and have been a massive help. GA is a way of life for me now, it is part of me and I hope I will always attend the meetings.

“It is as big a part of my life as gambling was then.

“I would advise anyone with a problem to come along to our awareness week and just listen.”

John believes there are a lot of people out there who are undiagnosed.

“It is a mental illness but there can be a lack of understanding from society in general, but anyone who has suffered any addiction will know that compulsion just takes over.”

* A series of information meetings from September 6 until September 20 by Gamblers Anonymous aim to highlight the growth of problem gambling and the havoc it can cause.

It will feature open meetings and talks.

You can speak to a GA member from 10am to noon Monday to Friday by ringing [phone]. Outside of these hours you will get recorded phone details of a GA member who you can speak to you between 7pm and 10pm each day.

* For further information contact the Dublin number above or Cork on [phone], or on gamblersanonymous.ie