9 December 2005
Dear Editor,
Gambling destroyed my life
I would like to publish this letter for two reasons. Firstly, to warn my fellow compatriots of the dangers of gambling and the new terror in betting shops: cash roulette machines.
I had a beautiful home, a good business and a lovely family. Within two years, I lost it all. I lost a total of £150,000.
This Government has given licences to bookmakers. As I know my fellow Cypriots are involved in this crazy new era of cash machines, I want to warn them that they can destroy people with gambling problems. Don’t be tempted, as all these machines are fixed.
I went to Gamblers Anonymous and there I met my fellow Greek Cypriot hypnotherapist, Mr Elias Savvides, who was giving a speech regarding the dangers of gambling. Before I met him, I considered suicide because I had lost everything I had worked so hard for, including my cherished family.
Somehow, through hypnosis, he gave me the will to live again. Now, after six months, I have become a different person. I was forgiven by my wife and children, and we then decided to go to Cyprus to start a new life.
I have been given a second chance, and this is down to the hypnotist whom I met privately after attending Gamblers Anonymous. Without his guidance and help, I very much doubt that I would be here today. I thank him for that.
This is a warning to all you gamblers: stop now or get help before it is too late.
Thank you,
Name and address withheld