Robbert has been off the punt for 18 years thanks to help from Gamblers Anonymous and talks about how he was introduced to gambling in his late teens and early twenties around Sydney’s casinos and nightclubs.  He talks about his first big win and how he ploughed it all back into the pokies, plus more the next day. Robbert’s life deteriorated as he spent his weekly pay-packet on the pokies on payday and existed on loans from colleagues, friends and family till his next payday. After realizing the impact of his secretive gambling on his family he initially went to Gamblers Anonymous but only to keep his family off his back.  Eventually Robbert couldn’t keep up the lies and deception to hide his gambling and returned to GA wanting help to stop gambling.Robbert talks candidly about the need to be ready to stop gambling, about the fact that he will always be a compulsive gambler but how embracing the Gamblers Anonymous approach enabled him to better cope with life without gambling.If you’re having trouble with gambling, or have a friend or family member that does, then maybe Gamblers Anonymous could help – phone (03) 9696 6108 or visit their website gaaustralia.org.au for information and to see a list of local meetings.If you are a partner, family member or friend of someone with a gambling problem you may find the help you need with a GAM-ANON group. The GA website has a link to their website and contact details: gaaustralia.org.au/gam-anonShow your support to the Living Free show by:subscribing to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/subscribeand donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donateMusic played in this episode was provided by the artists, via Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (https://amrap.org.au/):Sarah by Champagne JacketGrit by Stephen McCullochTravelled by Imber