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[dannodw WANTED $4 Outlaw]

Hello.

Firstly apologies if this is in the wrong section, I was debating but settled on general! Also, hopefully it is not that long, but if so, again, sorry!!

This is just a quick thread to share my story of how I came across The Bandit and his slot channel/website.

Firstly about me. I used to be quite heavily in the the matched betting/arbitrage betting game which moved onto slot/casino offers although more recently I just have the occasional slots session preferring instead to save for my annual Vegas trips.

Work also plays a part due to my shift pattern. Love me or hate me but I am an emergency response police officer working for the Metropolitan Police. This is a job I have been doing for the best part of 8 years. Co-incidentally this is how I came across the Bandit, something I will come onto now.

Going back pretty much a two years to the day I was working what we call a late shift. (14:00-00:00). It had been quite a bust shift as most December days are. I was heading in for a quick bite to eat before a call regarding a male who was seen on top of a high rise building threatening to jump. As the driver of my car I got us there quickly and were met with the males frantic wife and young child on the ground floor.

We have certain protocols in place regarding this type of call which I wont go into for obvious reasons, but I whilst making my way to the 30th floor to try and gain access to the roof it was explained to me that the lad on the roof was a 25 year old trader who had just come clean to losing their entire savings on a mix of some risky trades and online casino playing. Making things worse he had then tried to re-coop some of the money by spending all the money they had put aside for Christmas plus the monthly bills meaning there was literally nothing left for his rent, car but most importantly to him Christmas presents for his wife and little one.

Cutting the next bit short, I along with a colleague managed to get onto the roof. Talking with this lad we went over and over the fact that this was not worth him taking his life. What seemed an eternity later as light had become dark and with half of my team, ambulances, fire engines waiting on the ground, the lad finally agreed to come away from the edge and come with me.

We had built quite a rapport, we were a similar age and in another lifetime I could have been him.

We took him to a hospital to be assessed by a mental health professional. He was then kept in for a few days and was given a long term plan to help.

It was around a week later that I got a email to my work account from his wife thanking me and asking if I could attend their home address. On a slightly quieter shift I managed to pop around to see how he was doing.

And now we come onto how I first saw the Bandit’s youtube channel. As part of his treatment the lad had admitted he had a problem gambling. In a suggestion from his support worker, he was watching one of The Bandits early slot bonus compilations. Whilst I could not stay for long, I saw enough that when getting home, I was straight on youtube watching the rest of the video myself.

And that is how it all began. That sub button was hit and now I was enjoying the videos. I kept in regular contact with the lad to see how he was getting on. Whether it be on the phone of when popping over, often a the topic of conversation would revolve around a funny moment from one of the videos or a big win. Watching the videos was also genuinely helping him.

Soon 6 months had passed. The lad’s parents had stepped in and helped financially but unfortunately him and his wife had separated as she struggled to deal with everything. I kept in regular contact though and as months went by he really was sorting himself out.

Move forward again to December 2018. Two years on. It was a chance encounter as my visits and emails had unfortunately dwindled due to just being so busy at work.

I had been called to reports of a violent shoplifter at a local supermarket. When turning up there he was. Not as the shoplifter but as the guy giving first aid to the security guard that had a nasty cut to his head.

After dealing with the call I was surprised that he was still there waiting for me. I didn’t have time to catch up fully but he asked if I could pop around to the same address sometime later that evening.

Unfortunately it was the next day by the time I could go around, but he understood. When getting to his address I was surprised and pleased to be greeted by his wife- they had gotten back together earlier this year! I was so happy for them both.

In fact 2018 had been a really good year for him.

He had completed some open university courses that have enabled him to get on the path to be a full time support worker, helping those who are in situations that need someone to talk too and guide them the right way.

Financially he was stable, he has not gambled anything since that very day just over two years ago. His family is back together, physically he looks so much better and just talking to him, you would not believe that he was the same man as two years earlier.

Now one thing has remained. He still religiously watches The Bandit. To him it is a way to prevent him for playing those slots. Whilst now the urge is barely even there, just seeing The Bandit’s mad wins and sometimes mad losses is enough. Also the videos crack him up, as they do me and i’m sure watching everyone! He was surprised I still watched as in all honestly, had it not been for this whole incident, I would not have even been aware of The Bandit.

Now the important part…..

The person in question in this story is a member on this forum. Whilst he is more of a ‘silent’ contributor, he has asked me to share his and my story on here.

If ANYONE is feeling like they are out of control and may do harm to themselves, please do not be silent until it is too late.

There is loads of help around. Whether you want to simply speak to someone, please make that call.

My job allows me to see many people in various stages of needing help. Some unfortunately don’t manage to make that step and its heartbreaking having to deliver messages to peoples loved ones trying to explain.

If gambling is a problem The Bandit is really good in advertising GamStop, Gamban and the various other methods to cut out the ability to gambling online. Please again make that step to stop before things escalate into potentially doing something criminal or hurting yourself or your loved ones.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

GamCare (National gambling Helpline):

0808 8020 133

Gamblers Anonymous National helpline number:
0207 3843 040

The Samaritans
Call:
116 123 (UK)
116 123 (ROI)

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I now realise this is a really long post and if you have read it, thank you for bearing with me. It is short in places I know but hopefully it get the point across.

If anyone wants to post how they first came across The Bandit, or maybe a similar story as below, please do.

Thanks again.

 

[andywilliams1187 WANTED $398 Blocked]

Epic story mate and I am glad the lad got back with his Mrs. Just goes to show how much these videos help some people (they defo help me).

Nice one for sharing this especially at this time of year as goes to show just how much you can turn your life around

 

[MichaelLFC96 WANTED $114 Outlaw]

What a lovely story

[Seedy WANTED $1,243 Sheriff]

Great Read I am glad to see that even when times are difficult there can still be people who will and try to help others in need. Best wishes to both @dannodw and the guy who now is fully back on course with his life 🙂

 

[EnglishGuy WANTED $99 Outlaw]

Great post.. glad he turned things around. Gambling is a dangerous game, and is addictive.

 

[Quazzi WANTED $138 Outlaw]

Epic post/story! Much love and kudos to you both!

As for my story on how I came across the bandit, its less of a spectacle.. He wad recommended in my youtube feed!

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