My Betting Addiction Nearly Ruined Me—Here’s How I Overcame It

During my final year in polytechnic, I was addicted to gambling, particularly Bet9ja and SportyBet. It all started when I followed my friend to a betting shop to charge my phone. I was overwhelmed by my friends’ winnings, and I decided to give it a try, winning ₦6,000. I never knew that was the beginning of my downfall. I became so addicted to betting that I lost all my school fees playing bets. I cried and vowed to stop.

How did I stop? Below are the steps I took:

1. Determination

I vowed to myself that I would never gamble again, and I stuck to it. I never went back to the betting shop, and even when I had to go there to charge my phone, I always left my ATM card and cash at home to avoid the temptation of gambling.

I recommend you do the same. Set a firm determination never to bet again and follow through with it. Delete all betting apps on your phone, avoid clicking on betting ads, and block all betting prediction influencers on your timeline. You may also block betting WhatsApp groups and TV channels to prevent yourself from backsliding.

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2. Cutting Off Friends

I cut off all my friends who were into gambling. Although this wasn’t easy, I had to make that decision for the sake of my mental health. I recommend you temporarily distance yourself from friends who bet or give them space. This will help you focus while avoiding temptation.

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3. Blocking Betting Influencers

I was able to overcome my betting addiction by blocking all betting influencers on Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp to avoid triggers—and it worked. I recommend you do this too. Many of my clients facing similar issues have given positive feedback after using this approach. Just be honest with yourself. Block all betting influencers and ignore betting ads that try to lure you back in.

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4. Get a Job

I also recommend getting a job or another source of income. The major reasons why people gamble include lack of money, greed, peer pressure, and influence from friends. Find something productive to do.

When Bet9ja almost ruined my life and I lost all my school fees, I engaged in menial jobs such as car washing and ushering just to survive. Things have changed now, so I would advise you to find something to keep yourself busy. As they say, an idle hand is the devil’s workshop. When you have work and are occupied, betting will be the last thing on your mind.

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5. Get a Mentor

A mentor is someone who can guide you through this journey. There are many testimonies on YouTube from people who have overcome gambling addiction. Follow their recommendations and join support groups on Facebook that focus on betting addiction. These communities can be helpful in your recovery.

Also, talking to someone like your pastor, imam, or partner can provide emotional and physical support to help you quit gambling.

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6. Give Yourself Time

Trust me, quitting betting isn’t something you can achieve overnight. Sometimes, you’ll feel like downloading the apps again, visiting betting shops, or playing virtual games. These feelings are normal when undergoing recovery. However, you must resist the urge to bet again. Most importantly, be patient with yourself—you will overcome it in time.

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7. Remind Yourself: “No to Gambling”

When you wake up, remind yourself, “No betting today,” and stick to it. If you feel the urge to bet, distract yourself with other activities like watching movies, playing games, doing chores, or taking a walk.

When I was battling Bet9ja addiction, I reminded myself every day, “I’m never betting again,” and I stuck to it. This mindset helped me stay committed.

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8. Manage Your Finances

Poor financial management can lead to reckless spending on betting. I recommend learning how to manage your money wisely. Apps like Opay and FairMoney have features that allow you to lock your money to prevent unnecessary spending. This can help ensure you don’t go bankrupt due to gambling.

9. Help Yourself

Overcoming betting addiction is a personal battle. You must make up your mind to quit and work towards it. Trust me, no one can help you better than yourself.

I was able to quit because I made up my mind to do so—you can too. Discipline and seriousness are all you need.

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10. Change Your Environment

Some environments are toxic to personal growth. If you live in a community where young people see gambling as a shortcut to success, escaping that mindset will be difficult. Betting will continue to drain you financially and leave you in poverty.

Even your relationships will suffer—no sane woman would want to settle down with a gambling addict. I recommend changing your environment and surrounding yourself with people who are not addicted to betting. With time, you will overcome this challenge.

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