THOMAS Toomey knew his gambling was well and truly out of control when he sold a block of land his family owned and the proceeds “went through the TAB”.
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Mr Toomey, a Wiradjuri man from Dubbo, features in the DVD Aboriginal Gambling: Our Stories, telling a compelling story of how gambling “just took over” his life and led him into depression before he finally sought help for his addiction.
Mr Toomey’s earliest memories of gambling seemed harmless enough, with his uncles and father “listening to horses on the wireless” on a Saturday, which became known as “beer and bet day”.
What started as social outings to bet on horses turned into a full-blown gambling addiction for Mr Toomey.
“I was literally sick in the gut, I had anxiety, that’s the effects of gambling,” he said.
Mr Toomey said the problem worsened as he tried to win back his losses.
“I bet more and more, and got on the chase,” he said.
“I was doing all my pay, I hit rock bottom and I had a really good job that I lost. I never saw my family, I was always gambling.”
Mr Toomey said it got to the stage where his shame over what he had done made it difficult to face his partner and children.
A decision to see a doctor who put him in touch with a counsellor was a life-changing one, he said.
“He made me think what life was about ... it’s about family and having them around me. Life’s worth living,” he said.
Mr Toomey said starting with “baby steps”, a counsellor drew up a plan to replace the gambling with an activity he loved. In his case, it was gardening.
Mr Toomey’s advice for others was to make use of the help that was on offer.
“You don’t want anybody hanging themselves or shooting themselves over gambling and money,” he said.
“Life’s worth living. If your friend’s a really bad gambler talk to him. Don’t leave it too long.
“Give yourself a budget, have your beer, have a laugh, have a couple of little punts, don’t get caught up in it ... if you are going back to the keycard, it’s time to stop, full stop.”