Warning: This article contains discussion of gambling addiction which some readers may find distressing.
One man who previously struggled with a gambling addiction has spoken candidly about the extent of his problem, including the huge sum he placed on a single horse race — an experience he now describes as “the best thing that ever happened” to him.
Patrick Foster, a former professional cricketer, saw his playing days cut short in 2009 after a serious ankle injury forced him into early retirement.
After stepping away from sport, he moved into the insurance sector in London before later changing careers again and going into teaching.
Foster first publicly addressed his gambling addiction in 2019, after what he describes as his most damaging loss the year before.
Speaking in a recent video interview on LADbible Stories’ YouTube channel, he revisited the moment when everything finally unravelled — and why it ultimately became a turning point.
“The biggest amount of money I lost was pretty much my final bet when everything came to a head,” he shared.
“In 2018, when I had £58,000 (over $78,000) on one horse at the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March 2018.
“The horse came second by not too far, and my whole world came crashing down.”
He added that, despite how painful it was at the time, the loss became the jolt he needed to confront his addiction.
“I always say to people that it was actually the best thing that ever happened to me,” Foster continued. “Because it was probably the only ever thing that was going to make me stop [gambling].”
In another part of the discussion, Foster argued that gambling addiction can be just as serious — and in certain respects even more insidious — than dependence on alcohol or drugs.
He explained: “People still think when it comes to gambling, ‘Well it’s gambling, why don’t you just stop? You’re an idiot.’
“Actually it is just like being addicted to drugs or alcohol, and dopamine’s actually a very powerful drug.”
Now an author, Foster has written about his experiences in books including Might Bite: The Secret Life of a Gambling Addict. He also spoke about the shame that can stop people from being honest about what they’re going through.
“I always think it’s really strange that I would’ve found it easier to admit that I had a problem with drugs or alcohol because it’s accepted.
“People can kind of understand it, whereas with gambling, people don’t. And that’s why it carries such a stigma and why it’s such a taboo subject.”
He also described what he sees as a uniquely cruel aspect of gambling addiction: the belief that the way out is to keep gambling.
“I also think the other thing about gambling, which is the only thing that makes it completely different from other addictions, is weirdly, the only thing you often think’s gonna solve it is the thing that’s caused it in the first place,” he went on to share.
“No alcoholic has ever tried to drink themselves sober, but as a gambling addict, you’re often just focused on money and you think it’s all about money and you think all you need to do is win the money back and the problem goes away.”
Please gamble responsibly. For help, support and advice about problem gambling, call the National Problem Gambling Helpline on 1-800-GAMBLER, 24/7.