‘Prize draw addiction left me hungry and using tissues for tampons’

Prize Draw Addiction Left Me Hungry and Using Tissues for Tampons

Prize draw addiction left me hungry – Prize draws and competitions have become ubiquitous, appearing in social media feeds, television advertisements, and online platforms. Despite their widespread appeal, gambling support organizations are raising concerns about their addictive nature. These activities, often framed as harmless games of chance, are increasingly being linked to financial distress, with individuals like Lisa finding themselves in dire situations. A single mother, whose real name has been kept private, described how her obsession with prize draws led to mounting debts, hunger, and the unconventional use of tissues as tampons. Her story highlights the hidden dangers of what seems like a simple way to win rewards.

The Escalation of an Obsession

Lisa, 33, had already battled a gambling addiction in the past, but her recent plunge into prize draw competitions proved even more challenging. Initially, she participated in Facebook raffles, which felt like a low-risk venture. However, as she encountered more formalized contests offering bigger prizes—such as houses, cars, and cash—her behavior shifted. These competitions, she explained, allowed continuous participation through instant-win draws, which could be entered 24 hours a day for minimal cost, as little as one penny per attempt. The convenience and instant gratification of these draws made it hard to resist.

“You win £20 credit and £30 instant win prizes and it keeps you going and feeling, ‘oh, this is fun’. It’s like when you play a slot machine,” she said.

Lisa admitted to being drawn to the allure of these contests, which she described as offering a “fun” escape. The psychological appeal was clear: the promise of luxury rewards, even in small increments, created a cycle of hope and spending. Over time, her habit grew out of control, with no clear limits on how many times she could attempt her luck. She said she eventually spent her entire monthly disability benefit of over £1,200 in a single week on one website alone, only to face repeated losses.

A Desperation That Took Over

As her financial situation worsened, Lisa’s addiction deepened. She described a moment of despair when she lay awake at night, questioning whether she could continue living with the burden of her debts. “I didn’t want to keep going because of this secret I carried: debts piling up, no place to turn,” she recalled. The shame of her predicament was overwhelming, and she found herself in a state of constant worry about basic needs like food and clothing.

“This morning I had to accept that using tissue paper as tampons and going hungry is my new reality,” she wrote in an email to a prize competitions firm.

Lisa’s spending habits became increasingly frantic. In one day, she made 90 transactions totaling £400, unable to resist the pull of instant-win offers. The pressure to keep playing was relentless, with messages and emails from competing platforms creating an urgent need to stay engaged. “They will text you, they will email you, and you feel an urgency,” she said, struggling to remember how many companies she had engaged with in the process.

Regulatory Gaps and Industry Response

According to the Gambling Act, competition giveaways must either provide free entry or include a skill-based element, such as answering multiple-choice questions, to avoid being classified as gambling. However, the rise of instant-win draws has blurred this line, creating a “grey area” that is being exploited, said Dr. Matt Gaskell MBE, a consultant psychologist at the NHS Northern Gambling Service. He pointed out that without strict regulations, these contests can mimic the addictive patterns of traditional gambling, trapping participants in a cycle of chasing losses.

The government has introduced a voluntary code of “good practice” for the sector, which now includes over 177 operators. While this code aims to promote responsible participation, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, co-chair of the Gambling Reform All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), argued it falls short of addressing the risks posed by the sector’s rapid expansion. “The move is welcome, but it does not sufficiently address the dangers of these prize draws,” he noted.

Lisa’s experience underscores the lack of safeguards in the current system. Without regulated limits, she found herself unable to block payments or limit her exposure to ads, which continuously reminded her of the rewards she had yet to claim. She said these measures would have been available had the industry been subject to gambling laws. “You feel a complete lack of hope or care for the future. You are just going through the motions,” she explained, highlighting the emotional toll of her addiction.

The Normalization of Risky Behavior

Dr. Emma Ryan, deputy medical director of the Primary Care Gambling Service, emphasized how the normalization of prize draws has contributed to their popularity. Celebrities and influencers often promote these contests, making them seem like a routine part of modern life. This widespread exposure, she noted, has reduced the perception of risk, especially among women and individuals experiencing loneliness. “It’s easy to overlook the addictive potential when these activities are portrayed as fun and accessible,” she said.

Lisa’s addiction, while personal, reflects a broader trend. The ease of participation and the instant nature of rewards have made these contests particularly appealing to those seeking quick fixes. Her story illustrates how the absence of clear boundaries can lead to desperate spending, with individuals prioritizing the chance of winning over their basic needs. The psychological mechanisms at play are similar to those in traditional gambling—sudden wins create a sense of accomplishment, while losses fuel the urge to try again.

A Path to Recovery

Despite the turmoil, Lisa eventually found a way to reclaim her financial stability with the help of a gambling support service. Her journey from addiction to recovery highlights the importance of intervention and awareness. She described the process as both costly and upsetting, but the support she received allowed her to break free from the cycle. “I’m not a mindless gambler,” she said. “These do offer an incentive, and I was in it for the incentive.”

Her experience also points to the need for stronger regulations. The current voluntary code, while a step in the right direction, does not yet provide the necessary protections to prevent individuals from spiraling into debt. Experts argue that the growth of the prize draw industry requires more oversight, especially as it continues to attract vulnerable populations. Lisa’s story serves as a cautionary tale, reminding people that even seemingly harmless activities can carry significant consequences when left unchecked.