UK Man Shares How a Single Bet Can Spiral into Decades of Addiction

When Colin Brown from Fife, Scotland, first experienced the thrill of gambling as a 15-year-old, he had no idea it would mark the beginning of a devastating journey. A modest 50p bet on a slot machine that returned £4.80 ignited a lifelong addiction that he estimates cost him more than £250,000 ($317,000) and nearly everything he held dear.

Traditional Measures Proved Insufficient

At 18, Brown began attending Gamblers Anonymous meetings. However, such efforts were ultimately for naught as he was still gambling on breaks. His addiction escalated to online platforms, where he once lost £3,500 ($4,400) in a single roulette spin. Now 42 and in recovery, Brown looks back on that first rush of dopamine.

“I won young, so I thought it was easy, and I felt the buzz. My brain had that dopamine release early, and I was constantly chasing that same feeling after that.”

Colin Brown

Speaking for the BBC, Brown detailed how this compulsive gambling consumed his life. His wages were often gone within hours of hitting his account. He took out dozens of loans, maxed out credit cards, and even resorted to stealing from his mother’s purse. His addiction cost him his house, his partner, and, at one point, his will to live.

Despite his family’s support, including efforts to pay off his growing debts, Brown simply could not stop. He even banned himself from betting shops in Fife and online platforms, only to drive to other cities or get friends to place bets in his stead. At one point, he even stopped buying food and essentials to save up for his addiction.

Reliable Progress Requires a Comprehensive Approach

Fifteen months ago, after losing £1,500 ($1,900) in just three minutes, Brown reached a breaking point. He began educating himself about how dopamine and brain chemistry fueled his addiction. Today, Brown runs his own organization, Gambling Leap. Instead of traditional therapy models, it focuses on education on brain chemistry and decision-making and the value of role models in recovery.

Brown’s story comes as the UK government introduces reforms aimed at combating gambling-related harm. Key measures include a mandatory levy on gambling companies to fund NHS services and stake limits for online slot machines, with bets capped at £5 for those over 25 and £2 for younger gamblers. Gambling minister Baroness Twycross was optimistic that such reforms would significantly reduce problem gambling.

“Gambling harm can ruin people’s finances, relationships, and ultimately lives.”

Baroness Twycross, UK gambling minister

Brown welcomed such efforts. However, he insists that the treatment of addiction needs to be holistic in nature, focusing on education, prevention, and accessible support systems. Through Gambling Leap, Brown seeks to share his hard-earned experience, encouraging others to break free from the shackles of addiction and seek a better future.