A BUSINESSMAN has told how he lost a staggering £200,000 gambling on roulette.

Russell Whalley, a director of EW Cartons in Rishton and well-known local cricketer, said that his life came close to “rock bottom” after becoming addicted to playing the electronic game in bookmakers.

He told of the moment he finally sought help after realising the full extent of his problem while he filled in a form which would have forged a loan application in his wife’s name.

The next day he broke down and confessed his addiction to his wife and family.

To help get out of his financial hole, they had to re-mortgage the family home in Martholme Close, Great Harwood.

That was in January last year and since then Mr Whalley said he had transformed his life.

He has become treasurer of the local Gamblers Anonymous group and wanted to tell his story to help others.

Mr Whalley’s gambling problem came to light when he appeared at Blackburn Magistrates’ Court to plead guilty to driving at 86mph in a 50mph zone in Yew Tree Drive, Blackburn.

He was fined £400 with £50 costs and his licence was endorsed with six penalty points. His defence solicitor told the court his client had gambled away £200,000.

Mr Whalley said that he funded much of the gambling with loans, adding: “Being addicted to gambling is worse than being an alcoholic or drug addict.

“No matter how much you win you always think you can get more and that was my problem. Winning is never enough.”

Mr Whalley, 39, said he had now gone over a year without betting thanks to the support of his family and Gamblers Anonymous.

Mr Whalley, who captains Great Harwood Cricket Club, said: “I have gambled all of my life, even when I was a kid playing in amusement arcades. As I got older I began betting on the dogs, horses and football but it never got out of hand.

“It was only when they started putting roulette machines in to bookies that I had a problem.

“It started in 2004 and I would knock off work and go into Great Harwood or Accrington and play on the roulette game and you can spend anything from £1 to £100 a time.

“I was just gambling any money that I could get my hands on and would bet up to eight hours a day.

“I was a compulsive gambler and could not control myself.”

On one occasion Mr Whalley said he won £12,000 on a game, only to gamble £10,000 of it again over the next three days.

He said that after confessing to his wife he had received “incredible” support from his family.

He said his father, Accrington Stanley chairman Eric, has stood by him and offered him support.

Mr Whalley said: “Gillian has been great. I cried my eyes out when I told everyone.

“I had my last bet on January 12 and three days later I confessed. Since then I’ve not been near as bookies.

“I think about betting all of the time. I even dream about it, but I’ve never had a relapse and I am doing well.”

He said that following his confession he was “treated like a baby” with money for three months until he earned trust back.

"He said he had to ask his wife for any spending money, which was closely monitored.

Mr Whalley told how Gamblers Anonymous had helped.

He said: “I was gambling for long periods every day. I took out loans and spent all of my money and I know what problems others face.

"I go to GA to help and I can help because I understand what they’re going through.

“I know what happens when you lose. You just keep going on and on. It’s the same when you’re winning . You just want more.

“I don’t need to go to GA every week but I do because I know about the positive impact it had on me.

“I tell people that there is only one winner when you become a gambler.

"You don’t see many broke bookies. I have been lucky and I know many others have been worse affected.”