I first made contact with GamCare back in 2019 after finding out about my husband’s harmful gambling, it was out of desperation to try and find out how I could support him. This is when I was told about Gamban and GAMSTOP and that it was advised for him to self-exclude and download the blocking software to help him with his recovery.

When we sat down together to do this, I then thought that this would be good for me to do as well, so that I had the peace of mind knowing that the possibility of him trying to set up accounts in my name was significantly reduced. We installed GamBan on to all of our own devices, as well as our children’s and it felt like a positive step forward knowing that blocking software was installed and that we had gone through the self-exclusion process.

Since then, TalkBanStop was founded and we have continued to use this recovery incentive and safety netting tools as a family, it is something that as an Affected Other I always recommend to families and support networks, as it provides a great sense on security and peace of mind knowing that as an Affected Other, I am protected as best I can be as I continue to support my husband through his recovery journey.

TalkBanStop is a great partnership and helps more than those in recovery, if you have been impacted by the gambling of someone else, I highly recommend utilising TalkBanStop as protection for yourself!

I was completely, completely consumed by gambling forces. My entire wage was gone within 40 minutes of me being paid.

I went from coins to notes to chase the thrill – and from notes to online to hide how much I was gambling. It was easier to do online where I could transfer my entire wage within a few minutes and gamble all of that – and still that wasn’t enough to get that thrill anymore that I needed.

After finally winning what I thought I was chasing – which was the jackpot – and losing it immediately, that’s when I realised this isn’t about money. I had a problem with gambling.

I needed somebody at that point to take control for me, and that’s what Gamban and GAMSTOP do every day. They take away the worry. And I was able to find other women who knew what I was talking about, who had not just read about it but who had felt it. And so finally I didn’t feel alone.