A man who would empty his bank account just hours after getting paid every month has revealed he’s lost over £250,000 to fund his betting addiction. Colin Brown, 42, has opened up on his battle with betting after it was confirmed earlier this week bookmakers and casinos will be forced to fund NHS-provided support to tackle problem gambling.
Under the new measure, online stakes – which are currently unlimited – will be set at £5 per spin for those aged over 25 and £2 for 18 to 24-year-olds. A cap of £2 will also be introduced on sums that can be staked on online slot machines. The government will use the new statutory levy – with proceeds expected to be around £100m a year – to fund research, prevention, and treatment of harms associated with gambling.
For Colin, his troubles with addiction began at the age of 15, when he won £4.80 on a slot machine from 50p at his local amusements. The dopamine hit was so fulfilling that he returned to the arcade with the wages from his paper round and spent the full amount.
From there, the distillery worker’s addiction spiralled out of control. By 18, he found himself taking out dozens of loans, credit cards and even stole from his mother’s purse to fund his habit.
Colin would stay up day and night to place and research bets. He started Gamblers Anonymous by the age of 20 but would place bets while attending the meetings. He admitted that his addiction had been bad from the offset, but when he won £12,000 at 22, it got significantly worse.
After losing significant amounts of money, Colin eventually had to sell the home he shared with his ex-partner to clear him of his debts, with his mum helping him pay off loans multiple times.
The turning point came for Colin when he lost £1,500 in three minutes after finishing a backshift at work. This incident made him realize that he needed to tackle his addiction differently, seeking education and support.
Colin has since set up his own business, Gambling Leap, aiming to help others struggling with gambling addiction by sharing his experiences and focusing on education and prevention. While he sees the new measures as a positive step, he believes more needs to be done to address the root causes of gambling addiction.
Colin’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the devastating impact of gambling addiction and the importance of seeking help and support to overcome such challenges.
In conclusion, Colin Brown’s journey from a gambling addict who lost over £250,000 to founding Gambling Leap to help others is a testament to the resilience and determination needed to overcome addiction. His story sheds light on the gripping nature of gambling addiction and the importance of education and prevention in addressing such issues. Colin’s advocacy for more comprehensive support services and a deeper understanding of the underlying causes of addiction highlights the ongoing battle against problem gambling.