Teen gambling addict: I blew £100k in 4 years
Punter in recovery uses social media to help stop youngsters getting hooked
AN EX-GAMBLING addict who blew £100,000 in four years has launched online help for young people to stop them falling into the same trap.
Paul Pettigrew’s world spiralled out of control after a fruitful first trip to the casino at the age of 18.
The shop worker, from Port Glasgow in Inverclyde, got hooked and within a couple of years had racked up debts to betting sites, pay-day loan firms and loved ones.
Now, Paul wants to stop other teens from going down the same destructive path.
The 24-year-old said: “I was going to the bookies twice a day, seven days a week and gambling on my phone constantly.
“My head was wasted. From the age of 18 to 22, I gambled about £100,000.
“If it wasn’t for loved ones being supportive and helping to get me out of debt, I would be living on the streets. I would have nothing.”
Paul doesn’t blame anyone for his addiction but says his self-esteem took a knock when he was released from Greenock Morton’s pro-youth squad at the age of 17.
He added: “Before, gambling addiction was seen as something that affected older men. Now, young people can access it online.” He added: “From the start, I knew I was addicted as I was gambling in secret. I’d go to the bookies but tell my mum I was walking the dog or seeing a pal.
“In 2017, I broke down and told my mum and dad everything. It was horrible.”
Doctors prescribed antidepressants and counselling sessions but Paul managed to kick the habit on his own.
He hasn’t placed a bet in about two years and is determined to help stop youngsters getting hooked.
He said: “Online gambling is huge yet we aren’t told about the dangers in school.”
Last month, Paul launched Instagram page Gamtalk, where people discuss the dangers of gambling. So far, 70 youngsters have contacted Gamtalk about their struggles.
To raise awareness of gambling addiction, Paul will sleep rough in Glasgow and Edinburgh from October 12 to 16. Money raised will go to a variety of charities that provide addiction services.
He said: “You often find homeless people have suffered from addiction. Had it not been for my family and friends, that could have been me, too.”
Go to www.instagram.com/ gamtalk1