Darran, Expert by experience
My story - and how banks have the opportunity to be part of the solution for those of us experiencing gambling harm
18 March 2026
Please note: this post contains information about suicide that readers may find distressing. If you’re in need of support, you can call Samaritans for free on 116 123 anytime of the day – or you can text SHOUT to 85258. For information on where to find support for your money or mental health, see our get help page.
- Darran, a member of our Research Community, shares his story about how gambling has affected his life, his finances and his mental health.
- Darran also talks about the support he’s had from his bank – and support he could have received earlier on that might have helped to stop the cycle of harm.
- Banks have the chance to make a big difference – and Darran hopes by sharing his story he can help to show how they can help to prevent harm from gambling.
Gambling has contributed to me experiencing mental health problems, financial harm and relationship breakdown at various points in my life.
At my worst moments, gambling has played a part in feelings of depression. I’ve lost life-changing amounts of money. At times, it’s even left me feeling suicidal.
I’m doing much better now – it’s been over two years since the last time I gambled. I’ve been involved in the efforts of the Gambling Harms Action Lab, working directly with banks to improve their support for people like me.
This is my story – and why I feel banks can do more to help those in need.
My story
My first experience with gambling was when I used to go to the arcades as a child. From the time that I had my first job – doing a paper round – I spent what I’d earned in the arcades. The first sign that I had an issue was when I started stealing money to fund my gambling as a teenager.
In my twenties, things had settled down. But when I started working as a security guard, I suddenly had a lot of time on my hands. I was gambling at work to pass the time. It was a form of escapism.
Over time, I started gambling with money I needed to support my family. I went bankrupt and nearly lost my car, which I needed for work.
Going bankrupt was just a temporary fix. And after a year or so, I was able to get credit cards again. I ended up spending the money from these cards on gambling. After that, my relationship broke down. I’m still paying off the debt from that time now.
In my most recent relapse, I managed to start gambling at a bookie’s that I’d self-excluded from. I shouldn’t have been able to gamble, but no-one checked to see if I was okay. I lost all the money I had on me and all the money I’d got from a hole in the wall. This left me feeling suicidal. I ended up taking myself to A&E as I didn’t feel safe. It wasn’t a good place to be. Thankfully, I’ve moved on. I have support from my sister and I’m doing much better now.
What banks can do
When I was gambling, no bank ever got in touch with me to see whether I needed help or support.
You have to understand the mindset of a gambler: if somebody from a bank tried to intervene when I was chasing losses, I might have become angry. But looking back, there were things banks could have done. They could have got in touch with me to make sure I was really willing to lose certain amounts of money at different times. Banks could have reminded me of the range of existing support available should I need it. Earlier intervention could have led to me getting support sooner.
I recognise that I need help and some protection when it comes to gambling. I have had a few bank accounts, but the one I’m particularly grateful for is Monzo, which has really helped me. I turned on their gambling block in the app, but I soon found that I could turn it off with a 48-hour cooling off period.
I spoke directly with their support team and gave them my sister’s details, asking them to contact her if I try to turn the block off in future. This gave me more protection – acknowledging my needs and allowing me to tweak the system to work for me.
If there is a way of getting around a gambling block, I’d have found it. But Monzo is a good bank – and has helped me with my recovery.
My work with the Gambling Harms Action Lab
I’ve been an active member of Money and Mental Health’s Research Community, supporting its Gambling Harms Action Lab to work with banks and building societies to improve the support available to their customers at risk of experiencing gambling harms. For more than a year now. I’ve been participating in research and supporting the project as a member of its steering group.
People often see banks as the bad guys – but this is a really good chance for them to demonstrate they do care about the wellbeing of their customers.
Banks can make a difference. I hope by sharing my story I can help to show how.