PUTTING a tenner on a dead cert at the Grand National or the north London derby can be tempting for all of us, but for those with gambling addictions it feels impossible to say no.

Despite the nationwide lockdown, betting sites have been advertising virtual sporting events to make up for the cancellations, making it even harder for an addict to quit and recover.

Matt Blanks knows all about the struggles in overcoming a gambling addiction, after he lost 700,000 and attempted to take his own life two years ago

The 35-year-old from Southend is now working for the organisation who helped him recover from his gambling battle, Bet Know More.

Matt explained his story to the Echo and said how lockdown is impacting habitual gamblers.

He said: It all came to a head in the summer of 2019. I tried to take my own life. I thought everyone would be better off without me.

I started gambling when I was 11. I wasnt in a good place, my mum and dad had just got divorced.

My grandad used to show me the horse racing and we put bets on the races together in the betting shops.

I won my first bet at 33 to one. I was hooked from then. My first experience of gambling was a successful one and grandads friends then used to give me money to bet.

Once I turned 15 I started betting independently and nobody used to ID me.

I then started working in the betting shops from when I was 18. It was the dream job for me and I stayed in them for 16 years.

My friends were then heavy gamblers and used to put huge bets on. I then felt obliged to do the same to fit in.

I was in so much debt I couldnt see a way out. From the moment I tried to end my own life, it acted as a moment of clarity.

I then reached out for help, and then two months later I was volunteering for the organisation.

Bet Know More is an organisation which helps those with gambling addictions quit and fully recover.

It is in partnership with Gamstop, a free service which puts controls in place to help restrict online gambling activities.

Matt described how those with gambling addictions will struggle to stave off their cravings and recover properly during lockdown, adding: If they want to put a bet on, theyll find anything to gamble on.

Theres a lot more people struggling at the moment but weve had less calls.

Peoples recovery is in jeopardy, theyre at risk of a relapse.

If theyve been furloughed, theyve got less money coming in and theyre stuck at home.

They want to make up the shortfall by gambling.

Those with no travel costs feel like theyre better off and feel like theyve got more money to spend.

People are isolated and by themselves, isolated and scared.

Those with addictions are scared and worried about sport coming back which could be as soon as next month.

Bet Know More are helping addicts recover by using Zoom instead of face-to-face meetings.

If you need help contact 0800 066 4827.

More here:

'I lost 700000 but it's not too late to find help' - Ex-gambler helping others - Echo