Paul Merson Meets Pieface: Gambling Problems Destroyed Everything | The Gap |
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 มิ.ย. 2024
- In this special episode of The Gap brought to you by GambleAware, ex-Arsenal and England footballer turned Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson meets TH-camr and Twitch streamer Jack ‘Pieface’ McDermott, to discuss their gambling problems.
Paul and Jack open about the history of their gambling harms, how to recognise the signs and ways to get help.
If you're worried about how gambling makes you feel, we can help. Search GambleAware.
Let's open up about gambling.
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If you're worried about how gambling makes you feel, we can help. Search GambleAware.
Let's open up about gambling.
What advice would you give to a family member of a gambling addict? A close family member has a real problem and I dont know what to do, hes nearly 80 and he has gambled everything away, his cash, his pension (absolutely nothing worse than a SIPP for gambling addicts) :-( :-(
@@glostergloster6945 my advice would be to sit down with your family member and calmly explain how you feel about the situation - to explain there is also help out there such as gamstop and gamblers anonymous.
The person with the gambling issues has to want help off there own accord, you can’t force it. Only they can change there future. You can potentially bargain with them on at least attending 1 or 2 GA meetings together as they can be such a eye opener and make you realise and make more sense of things of the gambling addiction itself.
@@glostergloster6945 you can find advice on how to help a loved one who gambles here: www.begambleaware.org/how-help-loved-one-who-gambles.
@@glostergloster6945 make them watch a video about gambling addiction it worked for me and i had to be ready myself to say yes
then i realized the support around me then i took it step by step day by day
its important to have goals and try to aim for them making small steps but achieving them
i also took a cbt course from gamstop which i answered questions weekly that helped me see the progress i had made
gamban is also a good toll and other sites offer family and friends gambling support session
He’s a legend
Takes a real man to talk openly about things like this. Massive respect. All deserve help!
@Lewis Yates nah, ur probs just lonely
@LewisYates1894you are the problem you are the weak man a real man has no fear in talking about insecurities or his problems it takes strength to ask for help or to admit a problem a weak man is someone like you
He is a weak guy! Opening up like this
Not one of use have a clue show respect
@@garywade5850 you don't have an clue but real men do, this is weakness what he is doing, you need an backhand to wake you up
Gambling is so normalised in the UK. I think advertising for gambling should be a lot stricter, treat it like alcohol or even cigarettes.
Bullshit
Too much money involved to ever stop, over 3 billion every year for the UK government alone, let alone world wide.
@@Radelaide93 but if they have to help homeless people that lost everything it's worst
Th government doesn't give a shit about you they are more interested in money, dont ever think that they do
@@Radelaide93 sad but true
This honestly brought me to tears, Gambling brought me to my knees, lost family and friends, lost jobs and college courses and made me homeless and finally in prison. When Paul said he doesnt have friends now, I felt it because I am in the same boat. If you feel its too much, please seek help. Get better today , don't put it off till tomorrow
I'm 40 days clean from Gambling after it brought me to my knees and to the depths of despair.
@@barty2381 keep it up mate
@@barty2381 keep it up mate. I lost over 750k in under a year. Lost everything. Everyday is a struggle. The only thing people don't spk about is what about the debts you run up. What do u do about that. I owe still over 100k. It's total wipe out of family friends self asteem the lot.
Top lad 👍🏻
I lost a fair whack on bookies roulette. I am out of that trap now, have a good job, missus and 2 daughters. All is not lost lads. Keep your heads up, stay strong, set goals and you will be free...
It's one of those addictions that just gets laughed off casually when in reality it is one of the worst of them all. This is coming from a Son who has had to see my entire family turn against my Mother rather than trying to see it from a different perspective and offer some help for her. Kudos for these two and LADbible for making this video, more needs to be done to fight against Gambling it makes me sick how openly it's advertised.
It's one of the worst for 2 reasons...
1. There is no crackhead, heroin addict etc who can smoke away a house in 10 seconds. With gambling anythings possible. Any amount of money you can imagine, so long as a bookie or casino will lay your bet you can lose that money in 10 seconds or less.
(I'm getting ready myself to stake 40 thousand euro on accumulators on EFL Championship, League one and League 2 promotion betting. That's about 18 months wages after tax) it won't be 10 seconds... roughly 10 months but more than likely most of, if not all of that money will be gone. And even if I win the max amount possible from the series of bets (€180,000) it will just roll onto the next one.
2. There's no drug addict in the world who thinks "this next hit can solve all my problems" so it's easier to hit rock bottom. With a gambler mindset everything is possible. "This next bet can kick off a winning run" "Well my wages are gone but its only 7 more days until next Thursday and I can win that salary back and more" etc.
there’s always the ‘ chance’ of being up again and that spurs the gambler on to keep gambling
@@SirHaroldMaguire alcohol and drug addiction kill other people... so way worse
@@SirHaroldMaguire also you can't change your life with a big win with other addictions
@@SirHaroldMaguireMan City, Leicester City & Accrington?
Pieface has a lost A LOT of weight, looks much healthier. Good on him
I agree he looks amazing
Disagree! The weight loss aged him
@@pompeyforever4821 maybe he got older lol. wasnt that like 5 years ago+?
@@asfixia9141
He looks mid to late 50s now and he’s only 33 lol
@@pompeyforever4821 id say he looks his age but whatever i know ur trolling
Absolute legends speaking out about their struggles. They've both come so far
Guys , thank you both so much for your honesty. You deserve respect and hopefully this video will help others that are struggling with gambling issues.
Who cares
The anecdote about watching his son playing football and being able to recall everything now was equally heartbreaking / heartwarming
I had a serious problem with gambling addiction between 16 and 19 . Was so easy to sign up under my Dad's name, no checks needed, zero regulation. That was over 3 years ago and Have been three years clean thanks to the support from my parents who eventually i had the courage to speak to after I hit crisis mode when I lost £3000 in 60 seconds on roulette which I'd worked underpaid hours to earn. Credit to these guys for speaking out on something that never gets much breathing room. Crazy how these companies can sponsor all over football shirts, arround the grounds, stadium names, on the background of post match interviews, yet if a player swears in the post match interview they have to apologise as kids could be watching.......
I feel u bro, i was like u but i never gambled with more then 100€ but still thats a lot for me, I'm not saying I'm poor, but my life is not easy financially, so i went to work my ass off to lose almoste everything, and the problem is that they bring so many money to the government's and the club's
@@andrelucas3804 Right, it's a horrible cycle to get caught up in no matter how much you're losing! Especially when you're working your ass off to get money from low paid jobs and seeing that dissapear in minutes, whilst knowing how hard you worked for each £1. Crazy the government and clubs choose money over mental health & livelihood. Hope you've recovered !
sympathise with you my man, the roulette has lost me a 4-figure inheritance i had stowed away, you feel such a tw4t like how you could be so foolish!! the highs when i won about 700+ quid from 1 number.. promised myself i wouldn’t use it again then next thing that impulse and most of it’s blown.. you feel a let-down. ashamed in yourself like you say it’s criminal the uk gambling advertisement cannot escape it essentially but from my next wage i am determined i’ll beat those demons. #retribution 💯
@@ollieking4828 that’s exactly it, makes you feel so guilty all the time when really it’s an addiction and a health problem that has become so normalised. Sorry to hear that you lost the inheritance, really rough losing an inheritance but don’t beat yourself up about it. Honestly it is one day at a time. I downloaded an app “I am sober” which really helped where you make the pledge each morning, and accept that you can’t gamble again. Best thing I did was to be vulnerable with the people I trusted most (mum). Wishing you the best man, and can here to help if you need it !
@Ciaran Eley thanks man, yes it was really hard to give up what I felt was pride but If I didn’t it was going down a really slippery slope
As a recovering gambler this is amazing to see two famous people sharing their experiences for the greater good. I’ve been stopped gambling for 2 months now and hopefully I will never gamble again but like Paul said it’s one day at a time. 💚
2 months is massive mate well done im a few years in now and I don't trust myself anywhere near a casino still to this day its a long road well worth it 💪 good on ya mate
There's no hope for Paul so long as he works for Sky and they keep enabling him.
Keep it up bro!!! The longer you keep away from it the easier it becomes, trust me! Treat yourself or someone else with just little things and the feeling it gives you is so much more!!! Stay strong 💪
one bet away from getting it all back
I'm nearly 60 now mate I started at 15 horses ,greyhounds ,football,fruit machines ,roulette ,golf anything .I currently still have the odd bet lost absolute fortunes . Then 1 day had a bet won nearly 10k and thought what the fuck am I doing ??? Just suddenly woke up snd realised it's not worth a wank I've got £4 left on a online account which was £20 4 month ago so I'm not even interested anymore .. Good luck but believe me you will never truly be rid of it...
Two very real and heartfelt accounts that basically tell the same story just on different scales. Problem gambling is life consuming and soul destroying. Wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. I'm sure there are thousands if not millions who will relate to this video. Good on the both of them for being so honest and open and I'm glad they seem to be in a better place today.
Love Paul’s honesty I’m 36 lost everything to gambling brought my self up then 3 4 months later on my hands and knees numb wouldn’t wish this illness on my worst enemy if anyone reads this please believe me you won’t get your losses back plz ban your self from the online sights it will be hard to do but trust me when you carnt get on them your going to save fortunes but most of all your mental health I wish all compulsive gamblers the best…. God bless
Respect bro u nailed it
Just to be really clear LadBible, this is great content. Do more and more of this.
The ridiculous and terrible journalism I see constantly on twitter is abysmal and will sink you.
Use your brand for this stuff.
Great video, thanks for this.
This is so sad. Credit to them both, so brave, especially Merson for talking about some of his experiences. I’m sure this will help a lot of people
The same Paul Merson who advertised for SkyBet on television?
@@leedixon9832 The same Paul Merson who had a picture of him used without his consent and he got them to remove it?
Yes that one.
You're a right wolly aren't you.
@@akacocox6114The same Paul Merson that gambled all of his family’s money for a deposit for a house ye that Paul merson
@michaelmulhall5007 yeah mate that was the whole point of the video....
@@michaelmulhall5007 so you know he had a serious gambling problem?
Congrats on achieving the bare minimum expected
How sad it was to hear that Paul has no friends. I didnt expect that at all, but it's very brave to be that honest.
He obviously does, but he feels isolated
all too familiar feeling because of gambling
He did have friends but you block everything and everyone out you just focus everything on gambling
i had friends i dont anymore gambling ruins everything in life and its so hard to get back to reality for me :(
@@buds4208 keep pushing through brother
It's great to hear you talk openly about the grip of addiction, I had the same mentality and it's hard to break the cycle, but when you do it puts clarity back in your life,thanks for the video.
Gambling is life destroying. You may feel like you cant stop, I was in the same boat, it took me 'Just one more session' before I gamstopped. Best decision Ive made. Feel like that evil is completely gone from my life and I dont miss it one bit.
It can be for a small percentage of people, millions of people do it responsibly.
@@Lilzigzz And thats exactly what I told myself. Ill not worry cause Im in control, flash forward to me putting my last 20 quid on slots. Millions of people may find they have actual control, but millions more are well out their depth.
Bro i was working and most of my money i lost on gambling, and I promised my mom and myself, i would only gamble again if it's like a one time, like a champions league final when I'm watching with my boys, and for 2 years it's been like that, in two years i did 5 bets in games and went one time only to the casino where i doubled the 10 euros and stopped, but man if i go to work again I'm afraid i will spend it all again
@@andrelucas3804 Dont go back. Its a slippery slope, one leads to another. The worst thing in gambling is winning. It sets you up faster to lose it all. Keep away buddy. Remember the house ALWAYS wins.
@@kylekent167
The house only wins of you are a fool. With no winning strategy. If you have
PATIENCE
DISCIPLINE
MONEY MANAGEMENT
AND OF COURSE A WINNING STRATEGY.
The house can be beaten. Its the mental weakness of 99% of gamblers that is the problem.
But don't ever tell me the house always wins. For the last 7 years I've made my living from roulette and betting UK greyhounds. With two holy grail systems..
It’s destroyed my life for the last 10 years, barely left my house, everything they say is true, you don’t want to be around others, you’re happy for the little moments, but mainly it’s massively depressing, up all night, wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.
How you doing now pal? You can stop and get help and have a good life
I can agree with you, whenever I won some money it was just temporary. In the long run I always lost more money than I won and used to search for another source of money for gambling
It's incredible to think someone I idolised while watching from the North Bank all those years ago was going through that at the time. Thanks to the both of you for sharing this so candidly.
Im a recovering alcoholic. Best thing i ever did. And i saw the same thing but different in a friend of mine who had a gambling addiction, gambled over 20k. I could see the addict in him and we spoke about it. He got help and has not placed a bet for eight months and I haven't picked up a drink for a year. Its possible to get through it. In fact it is vital that we get through it. This was a great video.
Man this gave me a new respect for Paul merson. haven’t always been a big fan of his football commentary but as someone who is and has struggled with addiction this interview is very eye opening to hear. Also always good seeing pie face doing well
Why? He literally never stops going on about the sad story of his life.
He promotes gambling, he's part of the problem
@@bendodsworth2373he was in a skybet advert against his wishes that was pulled immediately when viewers complained
This is a brilliant video. Massive respect to both these guys. Conversation like this is needed. Gambling is a horrible addiction.
6 years ago, my Granddad gave me Jade antique to sell on ebay, he said i could keep all the profit. It's sold within a day. £3000 was in my paypal before i even sent it, and it was going to the US. I lost everything that night on roulette, and only had the money left to send it. I remember sitting in the bath that night, just in a state of complete despair. Just couldn't believe it. That 3k was to help set me for the future, and it was gone within an hour. What a lonely addiction. No one has sympathy for gamblers either. Cruel, scary addiction. And look now, everywhere you look there are ads for betting sites. It's disgusting
Thank you for doing this video. To all of you people who can relate to this, well done for still being here and coming out of the otherside. Though the scale may be different I can really relate to Paul and see the hurt in him; I have had a gambling addiction aswell as a cannabis addiction, and absolutely 10000% the gambling addiction was the worst thing that has happened to me. Seeing this video really just shone some light on that for myself and took me back so I know its done the same for some of you watching. Take care of yourselves and those around you
Gambling takes your soul , you walk around harbouring this awful secret from everyone and your in your own little world , your mood is determined on either winning or losing and the anxiety is awful . You can have money come payday and have plans and then it can go completely pear shaped . Gambling robs you of your future . I pray all gamblers one day stop , brilliant interview 🙏
You’ll never stop gambling though. Just like you’ll never stop prostitution, drugs and alcohol. Gambling is getting a terrible rap at the moment when in reality alcohol is a far worse problem for society and peoples health.
This is absolutely spot on
Addiction is absolutely horrendous and you cannot wrap your head around it unless you've experienced it, being an addict and trying to explain it to someone is like trying to explain a DMT trip when the person has never experienced it. I am an alcoholic currently sober and when I was younger I would always say to addicts "Just don't do it? Just put it down, don't drink, don't do the drug, don't gamble, it's easy!" And it absolutely isn't. Your life begins to revolve around it. You plan it, you hide it, you fall deeper and deeper and to take your mind off it you chase the addiction for a temporary release, until before you know it the only thing that can give you any relief is the thing that got you into the hole in the first place. It becomes a physically and mentally dependent part of your entire being. I've nearly died through withdrawals. I've got PTSD from the DTs. If any youngers are reading this and you're finding yourself down a road of drugs/gambling, you are NOT immune to addiction, you are NOT invincible.
We appreciate content on here. They contain a lot of useful insight.
Brilliant to hear them both speaking so openly about their problems and how they're dealing with them. Amazing to be so open and honest with each other.
I hate how gambling has become so normal in this country, there are adverts for it everywhere. My club (Chelsea) have never had a gambling sponsor, but its just been announced that next season we will, and I think it's disgraceful. Gambling adverts should be banned full stop
This really helped listening to Pieface. I realised not too long ago I had an addiction and used the steps that he spoke about hear so is nice to hear that it's similar for everyone else and for someone so covered on social media
I’ve seen Merse speak about this in person. Extremely emotive. He was a hero of mine growing up and to think all this was going on while he was performing on the pitch.
I credit him and Tony Adams with helping me coming to terms with a drink problem.
I've seen merse on adverts promoting gambling for big betting companies after this story was told so I don't take not of the hypocrite
@@bendodsworth2373 He was a part of Sky's Soccer Saturday. They used a picture of all the hosts in the ad without their permission.
He complained and they pulled it.
@@bendodsworth2373Kept his job because of his problems with money and gambling. Tiss Charlie etc let go the worlds mad.
What a dynamic to land a message, well done, great vid
When pieface mentioned he would go in the shop and wouldn’t spend £1.50 on a bottle of pop but would Chuck £100 away in the machine without thinking that is totally me. Gambling has ruined my life and From now on I will take it one day at a time
a lot of gamblers can relate to that, i would go and buy reduced price food items to save a few pennies after just blowing hundreds in a few minutes on a FOBT , it’s madness 🤪
People that throw money in machines or online slots deserve to lose . Just laziness , not that any kind of betting is good . But at least if you have a go betting on something you have knowledge in you have a slight chance at winning .
@firstname4476 it's almost like the nature of addiction is irrational...
I lost a tenner on 2p machines yesterday, got a cheap prize back but was definitely in the losses
Respect to both of them. Piefaces eyes twitching crazy 😂
Looking for this comment
Either nervousness or on the gear. I hope it's not the latter.
Addictive personality is a hard battle from personal experience!
How ironic these two complaining about their gambling addiction but work for companies that overly advertise gambling
Great video to help show the problems of gambling . I do gamble but set limits to what I can afford to use, like Paul merson said its the loss of time . Watching this help me avoid going to that stage where it will become a problem . I have a daughter and a family to concentrate on and not to let down. Hope this video helps those who need the help .
I picked Paul up in my Taxi in London a few years ago on a 30 min journey. I had a lovely interesting conversation with him even after explaining I didn’t follow football and didn’t know of his problems. Super friendly chap and I wish him all the best.
I worked in a bookies for 6 years from 2008-2014, so the height of the unregulated FOBT boom. I used to literally pick grown men up off the floor, after they'd lost 2k in 10 mins on the roulette. Brutal. And our brief? Make them a free brew to keeo them longer! Unbelievable. Ive never gambled, and seeing that was a part of me never wanting to
Jees, that's rough man!
@@leelo4717 back when there were NO checks in place, and you could spin £100 in 30 seconds. Every shop was allowed 4 fobt machines by law. So all the companies did was open multiple shops, 20 ft away. Notice how so many bookies have disappeared since they got regulated to £2 a spin a few years back? Madness
Or buy someone a meal that they had to wait for or if they won,then not have the funds there to pay and while they waited for an hour,they had done back the money...
I gambled from when I was 14 up until last year at 39 years old. It's an horrific addiction and living those days with no money until you got paid again was the lowest I've ever felt, the shame you feel all the time and the way you let loved ones down is hard to take
Congratulations on going clean bro big achievement 🎉
@@christophermyles Thanks 😊 🙏
Been there even when I won I wasn't happy because I knew I'd go back stopped 7 years now debt free going to football again travelling country like I did before gambling took over never going back not even a 1p bet 🔵🔵⚪️⚪️🚜🚜🚜
100 percent feel this but it’s always a what if i win though 👀
It's truly wonderful to meet people who freely share valuable information online. You will never save on the kind of knowledge that will help you tomber and could have a lasting impact on your life.
Massive respect to both of them and lad bible for making the video, can relate so much this convo, been through it myself and luckily came out the other side
The dark arts of betting companies go completely unnoticed until you're in their grips. 5 days to withdraw winnings that you can cancel at anytime to continue betting with.
Pieface saved my life, watching his streams and hearing about gamstop saved me. Im a gambling addict who's never once stepped foot in a bookies but online i couldnt stop myself it was never about the money. I won 20k one evening and didnt stop betting until it was gone, all in that same evening. For people that are struggling Don't accept your lies that you'll stop next time you get a big win. No win is ever going to be big enough. Good luck, try and see you're not gambling with cash but with your life.
Stay strong 💪🏽
Many addicts think that their addiction is the ONLY problem. I.E. “once I stop gambling, my life is fixed.” In reality that only seems to be the beginning of the return toward a normal life. A lot of work to be done to change one’s personality and outlook on life as a whole. Good for these guys to have this discussion
As an addict, I can tell you that we carry on as we can't find an alternative to fill that void of a buzz. The sooner they find a cure for it i.e better treatments, maybe even a drug to cure the urge, it will continue to be a problem. The Gaming Machines are my problem. Have been for nearly 14 years now. I'm still playing but now, I have lowered my stakes and once I get a win that puts me at broke even or a profit, I'm out. In my eyes, I've had my fun. Enough is enough. I also limit my losses to what I can afford.
I really appreciate this content. The one thing I can say is that no matter what program, treatment centre, whatever none will work until you say no more, I'm ready. It took me 20 years of pain and heartbreak
Good content, knew about both stories beforehand but didnt expect them to come together.
I had a gambling problem about 10 years ago and they are both completely SPOT ON when they say it takes over and it becomes ALL you think about.
I was still living at my Mum's at the time and i would wake up go downstairs to the kitchen and make myself a coffee. Then I'd head back up to my room and the laptop would go on and yea my addiction took up MY ENTIRE DAY.
In the end you realize it's s mugs game and in the end the bookies are the only winners.
Honestly, never opened up to this except to the people close to me. But hearing Paul talk is like hearing myself, i've been an addict for pretty much 7 years now. From 18 up to 25 now. I gamble everyday, doesnt matter if its a 100 euro bet of my last 5 euro, still get the same rush. My whole social life is influenced by it, i lie, feel sick of myself and can barely look myself in the mirror cause of shame. But then again my head tells me to place my next bet.. i can talk for hours and hours about how bad it is. But its refreshing to hear people openly talk about it
Consult Gamstop. Best of luck my friend
Love the honesty and awareness they are providing people well done boys
I'm a year and two months gambling free after a progressively worsening addiction to video lottery terminals. This addiction doesn't get nearly enough attention and that shouldn't be the case. To those still struggling with gambling, never give up hope you can quit. Never stop trying to quit. Try every single way you can think of to quit for good. Gambler's anonymous is a good way to start but I had to try a combination of ways to be free. It took me 12 years but I found my way out. You'll feel reborn and you are absolutely worth the effort.
I gave up Gambling when I ended up with a small fortune...
Problem is that I started with a large one..
Thank you for doing this video .. I was gambling addict with the roulette in the bookies , I must of lost thousands.. I stopped 7 years ago .. roulette in the bookies was called the crack of gambling for good reason.. unless you know the feeling when that wheel is spinning you won't understand.. great video lads
what a brilliant chat to have there is so many people struggling with addictions. massive respect for pieface an mers to speak so openly about it
This is a great video to watch to make you realise what it can do to you. I've never lost huge amounts, lost the odd £50 bet, in my younger days maybe lost £100-175 a month on a bad month, but never got in any serious debt over it. I've seen friends lose 4 figure amounts and what it can do to them, and I just wish they'd spoken to me (or another friend) at the time. It's a troubling thing to see someone who's just lost that much money, so I can only imagine how they feel having lost it. If you feel that chase feeling coming over you, speak to a friend and tell them what you're about to do just for some normality; I think that will really help.
This interview really resonated with me
This is a brilliant use of the LadBible platform
I've been in a few rehabs and one thing I've learned that's the most important is happy people don't need to act on their addiction. Ill be a gambling addict the rest if my life but if I am happy and keep my emotions controlled I don't need to gamble to fill that void. I used to gamble to escape problems caused by gambling which is fucked up. I used to even enjoy the lows as they made the highs even higher which is sick. Everyone has their own way of trying to conquer the adduction but for me counciling is key.
Videos like this really really help me and my gambling issue - thank you
its what made me stop aswell keep going down the right path
Spinning £25 up to £4,000 then losing alllll and convincing your own mind everything’s fine you’ve only lost £25! Gambling is a really strange addiction and very hard to overcome, I wish anyone battling this illness the best
Cunning and baffling
I hope people see the deeper message to these videos. It shows you’re not alone so please don’t feel like you are. There’s help out there for you!
Lost alot to gambling, but ironically money is the least of it. The trust you lose from loved ones, the self confidence you lose, the friends and family you lose are infinitely worse. Got to the point i was looking for a fight so i would get killed so the family would get the life insurance policy was the lowest i got. Had it all planned out and decided to tell my wife and family about my addiction. Thought whats the worst that can happen as tomorrow it wont matter anyway. Best decision i made. Went to a GA meeting that same evening and found others to be in the exact same place. This addiction never leaves you, will always be there waiting for a slip up. What Paul said at the end "Just for today" is a mantra in GA and a powerful reminder, if you do it just for today everyday, it will be a constant reminder of what could be.
I've been there, guys. Thanks for being so candid. It takes guts
This is a huge video. I was on the verge of being addicted to this, and I know for a fact a lot of us young men are or have been too. It’s a serious problem that needs addressing asap. Everything from waking up to advertising gambling at 7am in the morning- to huge companies and ties to football being sponsored by gambling websites. It’s all to suck out your hard earn money, don’t do it people.
Cocaine addiction + gambling :💥
I know a guy who literally lost everything (family, condo, job,..)
He didn’t have suicidal thoughts but it was a matter of time 😢
Cheers from San Diego California 🇺🇸
yes, for sure a deadly combination, makes you lie to everybody, makes you switch off your phone to not be disturbed, makes you become a totally selfish human being, I know, I look in the mirror, and I do not like what I now see.
But nobody to blame, we take the road we think will make us happy.
until a real awakening I guess, and then hopefully it is not too late.
@@Danny.Hyde2022Good luck bro I’m in the same boat right now but as you said it’s all our fault.
I did cocaine and gambling for 10+ years, i still gamble but i've quit cocaine, at the end of it i had probably became one of the worst people on the planet.
@@glennhagstedt Don’t know about gambling but I know coke turns you into a whole different person
@@dominicsouthan4492 - I have not done booger sugar in twenty-five years because I was tired of *solving all of my problems* (and solutions to my debt) _while _*_annihilating_*_ my sinuses_ and... waking up post-party only to realize that *I have forgotten EVERYTHING.*
🫠
Always eye opening. Big respect
Great video & fair play to both of of them talking so openly about their gambling problems respect to them both , well done both 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Paul walked in the betting shop I used to work in a few years ago now I was shocked and said 'your Paul Merson' 😂 lovely bloke
Fair play to them for opening up. Takes courage.
I’m glad I’m a stingy bastard. Most I ever bet is like a £10er max 🤣 I’ve gone casino with £600 and still walked out with £650. If I lose I move on, if I win I’ll play with the money I’ve won for a bit and then walk when I’m starting a losing streak. But my bets are always the same in any place. Dread to think what they were going through.
In a world where gambling is glorified, I appreciate a channel like this understanding that this is a real issue affecting people around the world, especially younger people.
If you have a problem; you are not alone. This is a sickening addiction and it is the same as alcohol and drug addiction. You can do it and overcome the addiction if you put your mind to it
I lost almost 10k through poker. Not the ‘most’ amount of money. But it was enough. 5/6/7 years later ( I don’t remember) I don’t even think about it. But that’s because there more to life. It’s not that simple. But through a lot of mental fortitude I got there. Cheers for sharing your story, Merse and Jack
Everything Paul says resonates with me… sadly. However I am on the road to recovery. Finally… it took 20 years to realise
This is super honest and opening from two people who you would say had different aspects of life. I think Pieface was a lot more nervous for this but good on him and for both being open and honest.
I wouldn't say I got a gambling addiction (or am I just being indenile🤷), I would carry on a low betting bandit sometimes until it gave me a mini decent payout, but I don't like betting on sports, horses, lottery, scratchcards etc.. When I was a kid my Dad gave me money to go on a machine (even though I was underage for the machine), but I kept asking for money.. Maybe the fact it wasn't my money and I was kid it was different.. But I often think of that experience and that I gamble less because of that, cos I know the value of money and happiness.. You don't need a lot of money to be happy like Paul Merson said, no one is saying not to gamble cos it is there in life and will never go away, but you need to need to able to have fun with it and control yourself, when you know it's becoming a problem, seek help.
Listening to this has made me do something I’ve been thinking of for a long time. I’m gamstopped myself so not more gambling and losing money
Wow Paul knows the ins and outs of gambling so well, everything he says is so accurate 😢😢
Having gambled on football for a period of over 5 years, sadly I lost more than I won overall. I'm off gambling for 4 months now and I'm likely to go the rest of the year without having a bet which will set me up to kick the habit for life.
What worked for me thus far is 2 huge financial goals such as upgrading the car and planning to move into a single bed apartment.
Im in the middle of a full blown addiction, I'm currently signed up to about 10 sites which all have a 50 pound daily limit on it which is my naive way of feeling i have a handle on it , which I'm now realising I don't. Watching this is making me realise exactly where I'm at. Im currently up money at the moment but I can't even tell anybody because I can't explain where the money is from as I haven't told anybody im gambling, nor can I promise I'll even have it tomorrow so its not worth even saying I've won. This interview has opened my eyes massively, especially pie face talking about signing up to websites for free spins , ive done that too just to gamble after my limits are up. Think its time to face this , this interview may have saved me. Lets hope
My friend was at Villa as a youngster when Paul was there, and he gave a talk about drinking and gambling then to all of the youth players. We're talking about over 20 years ago. It's sad to hear how he still struggled with it for so long, obviously he was still struggling at that time. It tells you something about him as a person though, going through that and still trying to make sure others don't make the same mistakes as him. I'm not sure if he's a better man than a player and, if you've watched him play, he was one hell of a player.
Love Pieface what a great guy he is, so glad to see him on here
I was never into gambling but I spent 50k on a drug addiction since COVID and clean now all addiction is bad get help the first time you know it's out of your control 😢
It's the tv adverts for me, I've been on exclusion for 4 years now and it seems the only adverts I see are for betting shops / apps.
Been there, lost everything, self excluded and blocked my bank, recovered and felt amazing, relapsed and lost everything once over and got into gambling debt, now back on recovery via GamStop, wouldn’t wish this addiction on my worst enemy.
Really important conversation ❤
very brave men to talk about this openly
I have watched a couple of videos with Jack. He is refreshingly honest and takes responsibility. I am 40 years sober and calling these things an illness etc may be technically correct, but it is still your own physiology and no one else is responsible. So no judgement if you cannot or will not get better and being around others to help change the mindset is likely the essential for many, but the cavalry, the decision making, ultimately will only ever be yourself.
I am recovered, not recovering. I recovered the moment I lost the obsession to drink and sanity at least in that department had returned.
when he says its not even about the money that hits home. Your always chasing a win and then you win and you don't feel full. Especially as an ex athlete its like the thrill of a wager makes you feel connected to a team again and get a little bit of that competitive thrill in ya again.
Hate gambling, my cousin is completely addicted to it. Lost thousands I'm gutted for him and its stopped me from falling into it myself. I hope he gets better 🙏🏻
His next bet might make him loaded, you never know
I stopped gambling and alcoholism by just forgetting about them, AA and GA make every day tough to get through.
I have had a problem with gambling for many, many years. Normally when I am either super stressed, or having a major imposter syndrome moment. I find I go back to gambling. Mine has always been slots. Always loved them, I cant say why, I honestly dont know why. I do it because its an escape. But the truth is its a living nightmare, a quick buzz when you hit a nice profit, only to put it all back in and then some.. What reasonated for me in this video is what Paul said about the Kids bath time. When I had an amazing day, I would be the best Dad in the world. Happy, playing with them. Do everything they wanted. If I had a losing day, I would be the worst person on earth. Miserable, moody, shouty, everything I dont want to be. Yet if the next day I was having a bad day, would just gamble again and the cycle repeats. The best bit of advice on this video is: Stop! then say stop everyday you think about it. Dont think this is it forever, as it wont be. Just say each day, no gambling today! Its that simple!
If you're struggling with gambling, please for your sake and your loved ones sake. Stop! Take a breath! Take each day as it comes, try stopping for that one day. Then try again the next.
I started gambling properly in 2015, bit of fun at first.
Best win was £4,700 from a £10 stake in summer 2017, followed by a £10,000 win only 4 months later on a newly formed "Spot the ball" competition with only a few hundred players.
In 2019, I was earning around £35k and I was betting easily thousands a month, recycling winnings and pumping money in all over the place, I probably made around £10k profit in 2019 but come COVID period I had nothing but solid losses, worst loss was £1,000 in a single day followed by £240 the following day. I stopped betting in the summer of 2022 and haven't touched a bookmaker since. I still do the odd "spot the ball" competition or ticket based prize draw competition and rarely do the lottery, but I'm not addicted to those like I was with betting on horses, greyhounds and football.
Been 16 months since my last bet and I feel so much better, saved so much money by not betting. I no longer have terrible mood swings or that "heart-racing anxiety" when watching a football game hoping the team i've backed doesn't concede....
For jack to have a gambling addiction and load up fifa points and know his limit just shows you he’s on the right path with the addiction man, cos if he was still in a shitty place with gambling he would spend everything he has got on fifa points, massive respect to them both i hope they continue beating it!
There isn’t any real monetary value in packing a good fifa player via the purchase of fifa points, I think Jack gets the thrill from the huge cash sum won from an IRL bet
For Jack it's an investment, he puts money into the game, enough for people to click and earn him revenue. He needs the appeal of spending some money to have the content to upload
Technically you could call it an investment to his content and he’ll most likely make it back, however he’s said numerous times that it gives him a little rush and almost eliminates the urge to actually gamble
He can claim a big chunk of that back in tax returns aswell as an investment in his business
He encourages young kids to gamble on Fifa packs and makes money off this. Guy is a fraud
33 years old been gambling for years and can relate to everything these two are saying. I’ve tried to stop a few times but have never been able too. Would love to be able to stop for good.
i used gamban was free for first year and i now paid 25£ a year
it blocks everything on phone or laptop to do with gambling
have a look at the help out there something will be right for you
The only way you will stop is to find a hobby to fill the void. Take up a sport, join a local team/league,Join an online game,take up walking. Anything like this. Mine was a stupid phone game called pokemon go. It got me using my time for something else then i joined a local squash league and it gave me the rush of competing. You need to realise you need to want to change or it wont happen. Just cut it out fully and go for it. You wont look back. Good luck!
I bet you 50 quid you can stop!
@@garywilkinson9517 how because I've done it since I was 14 and only started will small stakes now I bet bigger and the feeling is worse
It's all in the mind bro
Got a gambling ad on this video 😭
The amount of people that don’t realise that a gambling addiction can be just as crippling as an alcohol or drug addiction is quite shocking, I’ve seen it take over family and friends completely, thankfully everybody I know got the help that they desperately need through help such as GA which is also quite scary how many people don’t actually believe that GA is real
Merson starts speaking:
Pieface: 👁️👀👁️👀
Gambling has ruined my life in so many ways. Constantly seeing gambling adverts doesn’t help me to stop. It’s everywhere you go.
True 100% gambling lost everything,. Horrible addiction,,too had to quit brother. Thanks for sharing
Thank you so much lads I am a gambling addict I resonate with everything they both said
stay strong
EA Sports and FIFA play a huge part in getting kids into gambling at an early stage with FUT and lootboxes. Huge issue that goes under the radar.
Nice little Bet365 ad on this video🥴
Literally got that ad just after reading your comment 🤦♂️
I gave my details to Gamcare to self-exclude and now my Ads across all socials are 90% bookmakers. They must of sold the details, Such a shame even the “good guys” are out for the money
Haven't really checked in much with lad bible for years. The quality of content is top tier now. Well done to all!
Firstly, Pompey fan here. Merson only with us for one season but an absolute legend. Great guy and brilliant player!
Secondly, although I can time myself out of betting accounts, go months without betting, I can absolutely relate to both Merse and Pieface. I can easily stick £5 or £10 on football bets. Don't chase if they lose, actually enjoy the ups and downs of the experience and bet small amounts for fun... BUT with slots, I completely lose myself. If I lose £20 I want that money back immediately. Put more money in, turn the volume down on my phone, and play in secret. Cop if I don't get a bonus feature. Get the buzz if you turn £5 into £50 or whatever. Then hate myself if I lose.
Thankfully, I do have the choice, and it's not become too problematic for me. I recognise the feeling and cool off from the apps. In the past, I've deleted the apps etc but you can't watch live football for 5 minutes without seeing betting ads!