Video transcript

Jarvis’s Story Transcript

I'd heard about gambling of course I had. But I thought it was to do with slot machines, casinos, men sitting around and playing poker. Not something I thought I'd ever be involved in. It all started with Strike Back, my favourite online game. I'd play for hours. I was pretty good at it. It didn't take me long to build up game credits to buy a massive amount of ammo. And you can buy and sell kinds of skins, custom designed for weapons, with credits or real money. The best ones cost a fortune. Everyone wanted them. 

One night, I saw a link to a website that let you bet skins you already had for a chance to win better ones. Like I said, I didn't think of it as gambling. It seemed like a good idea. So, I gave it a go, and I won. It was a small win, but the buzz was awesome.(...) I kept going back to the site over the next few days. After a while, I lost all the skins I collected. But I kept craving the buzz of winning. 

That's when I started using my dad's credit card. He'd let me use it before, so I had books and stuff online. So I knew how it worked.(...) My plan was just to buy a couple of basic skins to bear with, and then win the money back to pay dad. But it didn't work out like that. The more money I spent, the closer I felt to a win. Before I knew it, I'd spent over three grand.(...) I was scared, desperate, or so angry with myself. How could I tell dad? I was too ashamed to tell my mates. I didn't know where to turn. 

Then I remembered Childline. We talked about it at school. They help kids deal with all sorts of problems and worries. I found the website and did an online chat with one of the counsellors. She also suggested I speak to my parents about what I'd done. They were really shocked, upset at first, took my phone and laptop away. But they were glad I'd spoken to them. The money I spent on the credit card meant we were now in debt.(...) With what my parents earned, it would take months to repay. 

We had to find ways to spend less money by giving up things we loved, like weekly takeaways and trips to the cinema. My sister was fuming. Stop speaking to me.(...) I hated myself for the trouble I caused. I mean, my family suffered because of my stupid choices. I got a Saturday job at the local news agent so I could help pay back the debt faster and start to pay back my dad the money I'd spent. I felt like I was worth something again.

Speaking to the gambling charity helped too. Learning how easily I become addicted to something means I now stay well away from those sorts of things. And the debt's finally paid off, so everyone's less stressed.(...) My sister's talking to me again. Still, can't all be perfect.