Chasing the Big Prize

Brentwood gambling addict tells all

A BRENTWOOD gambler agreed to lift the lid on the thrill of chasing the big prize and its hazardous consequences.

The 30-year-old, who asked not to be named, said his thirst for the buzz gradually grew stronger, but as debts began to spiral, gambling forced him to take his begging bowl to his family.

"Playing fruit machines, you learn to never take your eyes off the prize... so I didn't," he said. "After all, winning was inevitable – it just depended on how many silly men had filled it up during the day for me to supplement my pocket money.

"Thirteen years old and I knew every melon, cherry and bar from the local club's fruit machine.

"A few years later and I still played the fruities. But my first job paid well and the housekeeping and expenses were minimal, so I found myself drawn to the bigger prizes.

"What started as the odd loose change from a game of snooker quickly developed into a £20 note.

"Before much longer the pre-recession borrowing options were in full flow – I even christened a new credit card at Maxims Casino.

"My wages by then barely covered the repayments and I found myself with my begging bowl to the family.

"I sorted myself out but as the time passed the thirst for the buzz grew stronger and I relapsed. I moved back and forth between the gambling and not gambling until the last stand – regular Gamblers Anonymous meetings and access solely to a basic cash card.

"Luckily, it's been the straight and narrow for me for a while now."

Despite these debts, he believes advertising may be a bigger issue than the number of bookies in Brentwood.

He said: "Whether there are two or 20, a gambler will still always find a place to bet – you only have to look at adverts between live football games to see how widespread the options are now.

"My concerns for Brentwood would be to alienate the passerby trade with yet another 'exclusive' club.

"One that, much the same as the tobacco sponsorship of worldwide sporting events years ago, needs to be carefully controlled in the media to avoid a serious addiction epidemic."