Colin Brown, a 42-year-old man from Leven in Fife, recently opened up about his struggles with a gambling addiction that led him to lose over £250,000. His addiction began at a young age when he won £4.80 on a slot machine at 15, which wired his brain to constantly chase the dopamine hit from gambling. Despite joining Gamblers Anonymous at 20, Colin continued to place bets and even won £12,000 at 22, which fueled his addiction further.
As his addiction spiraled out of control, Colin found himself taking out loans, using credit cards, and even stealing from his mother to fund his habit. He would lose his wages immediately after getting paid and would stay up all night researching and placing bets. Despite numerous attempts to stop gambling, Colin struggled to break free from his addiction and even contemplated suicide.
After hitting rock bottom last year and losing £1,500 in three minutes on virtual cricket, Colin knew he needed to make a change. He began educating himself about the brain and listening to podcasts from those who had overcome similar struggles. This led him to start his own podcast and eventually set up a business called Gambling Leap to help others break free from gambling addiction.
While Colin sees the new statutory levy on gambling operators’ profits as a step in the right direction, he believes more needs to be done to address the root of the problem. He emphasizes the importance of education and prevention services to help individuals avoid falling into the trap of addiction in the first place. Despite the challenges he faced, Colin remains hopeful that with the right support and resources, others can also overcome their addiction to gambling.
Colin’s story serves as a reminder of the devastating impact gambling addiction can have on individuals and their loved ones. By sharing his experiences and providing support to others, he hopes to make a difference in the lives of those struggling with similar challenges. Through his business, Gambling Leap, Colin aims to empower individuals to take control of their habits and seek help when needed.
