Personal stories

I have only been gambling for 2 years and it's ruining my life already. It all started with buying the odd scratch card when I went into a shop. I had a few wins and got addicted to them.

Read Steph's story

It all started with a very small bet at around the age of 14. I found myself into a lottery shop in my hometown hearing the others talking about how much money they could win IF the x team wins and so on. It is obvious what happened next .

Read Compulsive gambler's story

In 2014 I had a light bulb moment and sought help (peer support), within a short time I had stopped gambling, the urges were still there but I had regained enough control to abstain.

Read Light at the end of the tunnel's story

For myself, growing up gambling was just something that you did. From the age of 16, I would be at the local pub with my brother and our friends. That was when I had my first bet on a greyhound.

Read Nathan's story

I would consider myself to be an established well-off business owner. I used to play occasionally once a month and lost a small margin of my business takings.

Read Kien's story

It all started innocently, playing poker with some friends. I thought I could outsmart them. I thought I could win. I was so sure. After all, I do have a senior role at my company.

Read Troy's story

... 18 months ago after a heavy relapse I finally realised that my gambling must stop for good.

Read Jacob's story

... It was painful to look back at some of my behaviour and lies: it is an important step that will cause pain but then great healing.

Read Godly Greek's story

Today I exclude myself from every bookmaker I'm with ... I know everyone feels the same. Enough is enough. Stop the losing and spend time with family.

Read David's story

My gambling addiction started in 1991, the year pokies came to Victoria. Before then, my husband and I enjoyed a flutter in New South Wales and Tassie, but we were geographically safe at home.

Read Ann's story

It's hard to tell the truth when I know that anyone who has never gambled could not possibly understand how a person could go from being a good saver one minute to a careless spendthrift in a blink of an eye.

Read My Fault's story

My adult son who is 43 has had a gambling problem on-and-off for over 16 years that I know of. His gambling was a major factor in the breakdown in his first marriage over 6 years ago; then in his next relationship about 2 years ago. Now he is gambling again ...

Read Cecily's story