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Gambling is so normalised in the UK. I think advertising for gambling should be a lot stricter, treat it like alcohol or even cigarettes.

Takes a real man to talk openly about things like this. Massive respect. All deserve help!

It's one of those addictions that just gets laughed off casually when in reality it is one of the worst of them all. This is coming from a Son who has had to see my entire family turn against my Mother rather than trying to see it from a different perspective and offer some help for her. Kudos for these two and LADbible for making this video, more needs to be done to fight against Gambling it makes me sick how openly it's advertised.

This honestly brought me to tears, Gambling brought me to my knees, lost family and friends, lost jobs and college courses and made me homeless and finally in prison. When Paul said he doesnt have friends now, I felt it because I am in the same boat. If you feel its too much, please seek help. Get better today , don't put it off till tomorrow

Pieface has a lost A LOT of weight, looks much healthier. Good on him

Absolute legends speaking out about their struggles. They've both come so far

Guys , thank you both so much for your honesty. You deserve respect and hopefully this video will help others that are struggling with gambling issues.

The anecdote about watching his son playing football and being able to recall everything now was equally heartbreaking / heartwarming

I had a serious problem with gambling addiction between 16 and 19 . Was so easy to sign up under my Dad's name, no checks needed, zero regulation. That was over 3 years ago and Have been three years clean thanks to the support from my parents who eventually i had the courage to speak to after I hit crisis mode when I lost £3000 in 60 seconds on roulette which I'd worked underpaid hours to earn. Credit to these guys for speaking out on something that never gets much breathing room. Crazy how these companies can sponsor all over football shirts, arround the grounds, stadium names, on the background of post match interviews, yet if a player swears in the post match interview they have to apologise as kids could be watching.......

As a recovering gambler this is amazing to see two famous people sharing their experiences for the greater good. I’ve been stopped gambling for 2 months now and hopefully I will never gamble again but like Paul said it’s one day at a time. 💚

Just to be really clear LadBible, this is great content. Do more and more of this. The ridiculous and terrible journalism I see constantly on twitter is abysmal and will sink you. Use your brand for this stuff. Great video, thanks for this.

Two very real and heartfelt accounts that basically tell the same story just on different scales. Problem gambling is life consuming and soul destroying. Wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. I'm sure there are thousands if not millions who will relate to this video. Good on the both of them for being so honest and open and I'm glad they seem to be in a better place today.

How sad it was to hear that Paul has no friends. I didnt expect that at all, but it's very brave to be that honest.

This is so sad. Credit to them both, so brave, especially Merson for talking about some of his experiences. I’m sure this will help a lot of people

Gambling is life destroying. You may feel like you cant stop, I was in the same boat, it took me 'Just one more session' before I gamstopped. Best decision Ive made. Feel like that evil is completely gone from my life and I dont miss it one bit.

It's great to hear you talk openly about the grip of addiction, I had the same mentality and it's hard to break the cycle, but when you do it puts clarity back in your life,thanks for the video.

Love Paul’s honesty I’m 36 lost everything to gambling brought my self up then 3 4 months later on my hands and knees numb wouldn’t wish this illness on my worst enemy if anyone reads this please believe me you won’t get your losses back plz ban your self from the online sights it will be hard to do but trust me when you carnt get on them your going to save fortunes but most of all your mental health I wish all compulsive gamblers the best…. God bless

Man this gave me a new respect for Paul merson. haven’t always been a big fan of his football commentary but as someone who is and has struggled with addiction this interview is very eye opening to hear. Also always good seeing pie face doing well

It’s destroyed my life for the last 10 years, barely left my house, everything they say is true, you don’t want to be around others, you’re happy for the little moments, but mainly it’s massively depressing, up all night, wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.

It's incredible to think someone I idolised while watching from the North Bank all those years ago was going through that at the time. Thanks to the both of you for sharing this so candidly.

Im a recovering alcoholic. Best thing i ever did. And i saw the same thing but different in a friend of mine who had a gambling addiction, gambled over 20k. I could see the addict in him and we spoke about it. He got help and has not placed a bet for eight months and I haven't picked up a drink for a year. Its possible to get through it. In fact it is vital that we get through it. This was a great video.

This is a brilliant video. Massive respect to both these guys. Conversation like this is needed. Gambling is a horrible addiction.

I’ve seen Merse speak about this in person. Extremely emotive. He was a hero of mine growing up and to think all this was going on while he was performing on the pitch. I credit him and Tony Adams with helping me coming to terms with a drink problem.

What a dynamic to land a message, well done, great vid

Gambling takes your soul , you walk around harbouring this awful secret from everyone and your in your own little world , your mood is determined on either winning or losing and the anxiety is awful . You can have money come payday and have plans and then it can go completely pear shaped . Gambling robs you of your future . I pray all gamblers one day stop , brilliant interview 🙏

This really helped listening to Pieface. I realised not too long ago I had an addiction and used the steps that he spoke about hear so is nice to hear that it's similar for everyone else and for someone so covered on social media

Thank you for doing this video. To all of you people who can relate to this, well done for still being here and coming out of the otherside. Though the scale may be different I can really relate to Paul and see the hurt in him; I have had a gambling addiction aswell as a cannabis addiction, and absolutely 10000% the gambling addiction was the worst thing that has happened to me. Seeing this video really just shone some light on that for myself and took me back so I know its done the same for some of you watching. Take care of yourselves and those around you

We appreciate content on here. They contain a lot of useful insight.

Brilliant to hear them both speaking so openly about their problems and how they're dealing with them. Amazing to be so open and honest with each other. I hate how gambling has become so normal in this country, there are adverts for it everywhere. My club (Chelsea) have never had a gambling sponsor, but its just been announced that next season we will, and I think it's disgraceful. Gambling adverts should be banned full stop

I picked Paul up in my Taxi in London a few years ago on a 30 min journey. I had a lovely interesting conversation with him even after explaining I didn’t follow football and didn’t know of his problems. Super friendly chap and I wish him all the best.

I gambled from when I was 14 up until last year at 39 years old. It's an horrific addiction and living those days with no money until you got paid again was the lowest I've ever felt, the shame you feel all the time and the way you let loved ones down is hard to take

Spinning £25 up to £4,000 then losing alllll and convincing your own mind everything’s fine you’ve only lost £25! Gambling is a really strange addiction and very hard to overcome, I wish anyone battling this illness the best

Respect to both of them. Piefaces eyes twitching crazy 😂

The dark arts of betting companies go completely unnoticed until you're in their grips. 5 days to withdraw winnings that you can cancel at anytime to continue betting with. Pieface saved my life, watching his streams and hearing about gamstop saved me. Im a gambling addict who's never once stepped foot in a bookies but online i couldnt stop myself it was never about the money. I won 20k one evening and didnt stop betting until it was gone, all in that same evening. For people that are struggling Don't accept your lies that you'll stop next time you get a big win. No win is ever going to be big enough. Good luck, try and see you're not gambling with cash but with your life. Stay strong 💪🏽

6 years ago, my Granddad gave me Jade antique to sell on ebay, he said i could keep all the profit. It's sold within a day. £3000 was in my paypal before i even sent it, and it was going to the US. I lost everything that night on roulette, and only had the money left to send it. I remember sitting in the bath that night, just in a state of complete despair. Just couldn't believe it. That 3k was to help set me for the future, and it was gone within an hour. What a lonely addiction. No one has sympathy for gamblers either. Cruel, scary addiction. And look now, everywhere you look there are ads for betting sites. It's disgusting

Many addicts think that their addiction is the ONLY problem. I.E. “once I stop gambling, my life is fixed.” In reality that only seems to be the beginning of the return toward a normal life. A lot of work to be done to change one’s personality and outlook on life as a whole. Good for these guys to have this discussion

When pieface mentioned he would go in the shop and wouldn’t spend £1.50 on a bottle of pop but would Chuck £100 away in the machine without thinking that is totally me. Gambling has ruined my life and From now on I will take it one day at a time

Good content, knew about both stories beforehand but didnt expect them to come together.

Addiction is absolutely horrendous and you cannot wrap your head around it unless you've experienced it, being an addict and trying to explain it to someone is like trying to explain a DMT trip when the person has never experienced it. I am an alcoholic currently sober and when I was younger I would always say to addicts "Just don't do it? Just put it down, don't drink, don't do the drug, don't gamble, it's easy!" And it absolutely isn't. Your life begins to revolve around it. You plan it, you hide it, you fall deeper and deeper and to take your mind off it you chase the addiction for a temporary release, until before you know it the only thing that can give you any relief is the thing that got you into the hole in the first place. It becomes a physically and mentally dependent part of your entire being. I've nearly died through withdrawals. I've got PTSD from the DTs. If any youngers are reading this and you're finding yourself down a road of drugs/gambling, you are NOT immune to addiction, you are NOT invincible.

How ironic these two complaining about their gambling addiction but work for companies that overly advertise gambling

Love the honesty and awareness they are providing people well done boys

what a brilliant chat to have there is so many people struggling with addictions. massive respect for pieface an mers to speak so openly about it

This is a brilliant use of the LadBible platform

This interview really resonated with me

It's truly wonderful to meet people who freely share valuable information online. You will never save on the kind of knowledge that will help you tomber and could have a lasting impact on your life.

I hope people see the deeper message to these videos. It shows you’re not alone so please don’t feel like you are. There’s help out there for you!

I gave up Gambling when I ended up with a small fortune... Problem is that I started with a large one..

I worked in a bookies for 6 years from 2008-2014, so the height of the unregulated FOBT boom. I used to literally pick grown men up off the floor, after they'd lost 2k in 10 mins on the roulette. Brutal. And our brief? Make them a free brew to keeo them longer! Unbelievable. Ive never gambled, and seeing that was a part of me never wanting to

Great video to help show the problems of gambling . I do gamble but set limits to what I can afford to use, like Paul merson said its the loss of time . Watching this help me avoid going to that stage where it will become a problem . I have a daughter and a family to concentrate on and not to let down. Hope this video helps those who need the help .

I've been there, guys. Thanks for being so candid. It takes guts

Honestly, never opened up to this except to the people close to me. But hearing Paul talk is like hearing myself, i've been an addict for pretty much 7 years now. From 18 up to 25 now. I gamble everyday, doesnt matter if its a 100 euro bet of my last 5 euro, still get the same rush. My whole social life is influenced by it, i lie, feel sick of myself and can barely look myself in the mirror cause of shame. But then again my head tells me to place my next bet.. i can talk for hours and hours about how bad it is. But its refreshing to hear people openly talk about it

Wow Paul knows the ins and outs of gambling so well, everything he says is so accurate 😢😢

I really appreciate this content. The one thing I can say is that no matter what program, treatment centre, whatever none will work until you say no more, I'm ready. It took me 20 years of pain and heartbreak

Massive respect to both of them and lad bible for making the video, can relate so much this convo, been through it myself and luckily came out the other side

Really important conversation ❤

Cocaine addiction + gambling :💥 I know a guy who literally lost everything (family, condo, job,..) He didn’t have suicidal thoughts but it was a matter of time 😢 Cheers from San Diego California 🇺🇸

Always eye opening. Big respect

Videos like this really really help me and my gambling issue - thank you

Love Pieface what a great guy he is, so glad to see him on here

I had a gambling problem about 10 years ago and they are both completely SPOT ON when they say it takes over and it becomes ALL you think about. I was still living at my Mum's at the time and i would wake up go downstairs to the kitchen and make myself a coffee. Then I'd head back up to my room and the laptop would go on and yea my addiction took up MY ENTIRE DAY. In the end you realize it's s mugs game and in the end the bookies are the only winners.

Thank you for doing this video .. I was gambling addict with the roulette in the bookies , I must of lost thousands.. I stopped 7 years ago .. roulette in the bookies was called the crack of gambling for good reason.. unless you know the feeling when that wheel is spinning you won't understand.. great video lads

Lost alot to gambling, but ironically money is the least of it. The trust you lose from loved ones, the self confidence you lose, the friends and family you lose are infinitely worse. Got to the point i was looking for a fight so i would get killed so the family would get the life insurance policy was the lowest i got. Had it all planned out and decided to tell my wife and family about my addiction. Thought whats the worst that can happen as tomorrow it wont matter anyway. Best decision i made. Went to a GA meeting that same evening and found others to be in the exact same place. This addiction never leaves you, will always be there waiting for a slip up. What Paul said at the end "Just for today" is a mantra in GA and a powerful reminder, if you do it just for today everyday, it will be a constant reminder of what could be.

Merson starts speaking: Pieface: 👁️👀👁️👀

very brave men to talk about this openly

Great video & fair play to both of of them talking so openly about their gambling problems respect to them both , well done both 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

My friend was at Villa as a youngster when Paul was there, and he gave a talk about drinking and gambling then to all of the youth players. We're talking about over 20 years ago. It's sad to hear how he still struggled with it for so long, obviously he was still struggling at that time. It tells you something about him as a person though, going through that and still trying to make sure others don't make the same mistakes as him. I'm not sure if he's a better man than a player and, if you've watched him play, he was one hell of a player.

I stopped gambling and alcoholism by just forgetting about them, AA and GA make every day tough to get through.

Paul walked in the betting shop I used to work in a few years ago now I was shocked and said 'your Paul Merson' 😂 lovely bloke

In a world where gambling is glorified, I appreciate a channel like this understanding that this is a real issue affecting people around the world, especially younger people. If you have a problem; you are not alone. This is a sickening addiction and it is the same as alcohol and drug addiction. You can do it and overcome the addiction if you put your mind to it

This is a great video to watch to make you realise what it can do to you. I've never lost huge amounts, lost the odd £50 bet, in my younger days maybe lost £100-175 a month on a bad month, but never got in any serious debt over it. I've seen friends lose 4 figure amounts and what it can do to them, and I just wish they'd spoken to me (or another friend) at the time. It's a troubling thing to see someone who's just lost that much money, so I can only imagine how they feel having lost it. If you feel that chase feeling coming over you, speak to a friend and tell them what you're about to do just for some normality; I think that will really help.

Everything Paul says resonates with me… sadly. However I am on the road to recovery. Finally… it took 20 years to realise

I was never into gambling but I spent 50k on a drug addiction since COVID and clean now all addiction is bad get help the first time you know it's out of your control 😢

I have watched a couple of videos with Jack. He is refreshingly honest and takes responsibility. I am 40 years sober and calling these things an illness etc may be technically correct, but it is still your own physiology and no one else is responsible. So no judgement if you cannot or will not get better and being around others to help change the mindset is likely the essential for many, but the cavalry, the decision making, ultimately will only ever be yourself. I am recovered, not recovering. I recovered the moment I lost the obsession to drink and sanity at least in that department had returned.

This is super honest and opening from two people who you would say had different aspects of life. I think Pieface was a lot more nervous for this but good on him and for both being open and honest. I wouldn't say I got a gambling addiction (or am I just being indenile🤷), I would carry on a low betting bandit sometimes until it gave me a mini decent payout, but I don't like betting on sports, horses, lottery, scratchcards etc.. When I was a kid my Dad gave me money to go on a machine (even though I was underage for the machine), but I kept asking for money.. Maybe the fact it wasn't my money and I was kid it was different.. But I often think of that experience and that I gamble less because of that, cos I know the value of money and happiness.. You don't need a lot of money to be happy like Paul Merson said, no one is saying not to gamble cos it is there in life and will never go away, but you need to need to able to have fun with it and control yourself, when you know it's becoming a problem, seek help.

Fair play to them for opening up. Takes courage. I’m glad I’m a stingy bastard. Most I ever bet is like a £10er max 🤣 I’ve gone casino with £600 and still walked out with £650. If I lose I move on, if I win I’ll play with the money I’ve won for a bit and then walk when I’m starting a losing streak. But my bets are always the same in any place. Dread to think what they were going through.

Having gambled on football for a period of over 5 years, sadly I lost more than I won overall. I'm off gambling for 4 months now and I'm likely to go the rest of the year without having a bet which will set me up to kick the habit for life. What worked for me thus far is 2 huge financial goals such as upgrading the car and planning to move into a single bed apartment.

This is a huge video. I was on the verge of being addicted to this, and I know for a fact a lot of us young men are or have been too. It’s a serious problem that needs addressing asap. Everything from waking up to advertising gambling at 7am in the morning- to huge companies and ties to football being sponsored by gambling websites. It’s all to suck out your hard earn money, don’t do it people.

The amount of people that don’t realise that a gambling addiction can be just as crippling as an alcohol or drug addiction is quite shocking, I’ve seen it take over family and friends completely, thankfully everybody I know got the help that they desperately need through help such as GA which is also quite scary how many people don’t actually believe that GA is real

I lost almost 10k through poker. Not the ‘most’ amount of money. But it was enough. 5/6/7 years later ( I don’t remember) I don’t even think about it. But that’s because there more to life. It’s not that simple. But through a lot of mental fortitude I got there. Cheers for sharing your story, Merse and Jack

Needed to hear this. Great conversation.

For jack to have a gambling addiction and load up fifa points and know his limit just shows you he’s on the right path with the addiction man, cos if he was still in a shitty place with gambling he would spend everything he has got on fifa points, massive respect to them both i hope they continue beating it!

I have had a problem with gambling for many, many years. Normally when I am either super stressed, or having a major imposter syndrome moment. I find I go back to gambling. Mine has always been slots. Always loved them, I cant say why, I honestly dont know why. I do it because its an escape. But the truth is its a living nightmare, a quick buzz when you hit a nice profit, only to put it all back in and then some.. What reasonated for me in this video is what Paul said about the Kids bath time. When I had an amazing day, I would be the best Dad in the world. Happy, playing with them. Do everything they wanted. If I had a losing day, I would be the worst person on earth. Miserable, moody, shouty, everything I dont want to be. Yet if the next day I was having a bad day, would just gamble again and the cycle repeats. The best bit of advice on this video is: Stop! then say stop everyday you think about it. Dont think this is it forever, as it wont be. Just say each day, no gambling today! Its that simple! If you're struggling with gambling, please for your sake and your loved ones sake. Stop! Take a breath! Take each day as it comes, try stopping for that one day. Then try again the next.

I've been in a few rehabs and one thing I've learned that's the most important is happy people don't need to act on their addiction. Ill be a gambling addict the rest if my life but if I am happy and keep my emotions controlled I don't need to gamble to fill that void. I used to gamble to escape problems caused by gambling which is fucked up. I used to even enjoy the lows as they made the highs even higher which is sick. Everyone has their own way of trying to conquer the adduction but for me counciling is key.

Hate gambling, my cousin is completely addicted to it. Lost thousands I'm gutted for him and its stopped me from falling into it myself. I hope he gets better 🙏🏻

33 years old been gambling for years and can relate to everything these two are saying. I’ve tried to stop a few times but have never been able too. Would love to be able to stop for good.

Thank you so much lads I am a gambling addict I resonate with everything they both said

True 100% gambling lost everything,. Horrible addiction,,too had to quit brother. Thanks for sharing

EA Sports and FIFA play a huge part in getting kids into gambling at an early stage with FUT and lootboxes. Huge issue that goes under the radar.

hes still opening packs on his stream, basically another form of gambling, young kids opening packs and getting addicted young

"Whoever lives their life, in the moment, is the richest person in the world." -Paul Merson

Listening to this has made me do something I’ve been thinking of for a long time. I’m gamstopped myself so not more gambling and losing money

Paul is such a top bloke. Absolute hero of mine

Gambling has ruined my life in so many ways. Constantly seeing gambling adverts doesn’t help me to stop. It’s everywhere you go.

I love the way Paul Merson describes the feeling of losing it all. I totally get that rush of fucking it off.

Haven't really checked in much with lad bible for years. The quality of content is top tier now. Well done to all!

Nice little Bet365 ad on this video🥴

Saw pieface in casino the other night, hope he gets better soon.

Prefaces channel is based on gambling with ea loot boxes now which is a giant topic of discussion within gaming community very surprised he hasn't used the opportunity to bring this up but huge respect to both of them for what they've overcome keep spreading the awareness guys .

Great work both 👍🏻 💪🏻 👏🏻