WHOLE LOTTO RISKS
I’m a lotto addict – I was nearly arrested & scratchies give me palpitations… I just want to be a millionaire
A WOMAN who became obsessed with scratch cards reveals the extreme lengths she went to, including almost getting sent to prison, to find a winning ticket.
Tvonia, from the US, confessed she has been a scratch card addict for five years, and scratching those cards was the first and last thing she thought about every single day.
2
2
Appearing on the , Tvonia admitted her Lotto addiction had left her in some seriously tricky situations, all because she wanted to be a millionaire.
Her first ticket was purchased with the hopes of joining the wealthy, but she said buying it felt 'like death,' whether it was a winner or not.
The true feeling she became hooked on was the anticipation of scratching it, never mind if the numbers meant she hit the jackpot.
Now, Tvonia estimates she has spent tens of thousands of pounds on the game - which has left her in some difficult situations.
READ MORE REAL LIFE STORIES
She revealed that her obsession became so bad it caused her to become paranoid that others around her would find the winning ticket if she didn't buy it.
Her paranoia almost got her arrested after starting a fight with a fellow scratch card player.
She recalled: "A few years ago I was almost arrested for attempting to beat someone up because they were buying tickets in line, and I was behind them.
"I started yelling, I started throwing things, swearing, I made a big scene."
Most read in Fabulous
"All that lady said to me was 'You have a problem.'
But that's not the only extreme length her lottery addiction, which she compared to 'hard drugs,' has taken her to.
Tvonia revealed she would defecate and urinate in her clothes to make sure she kept her place in the queue when buying them.
But like most addictions, she claims her obsession has nothing to do with the scratch cards - instead filling a void for a much more necessary need.
Tvonia has spent most of her wages and borrowed tonnes of cash to fund her scratch card lifestyle, but her compulsion to scratch cards comes from not wanting to need love or people.
She added: "When you have a lottery addiction you have no shame.
"You go to any means just to get one more high."
Although she knows the odds of winning aren't in her favor Tvonia revealed winning was never the goal.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
The lotto addict explained: "I'm thinking about the escape, the rush, the way I'm going to feel.
"I'm not thinking about odds."
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare –
- Gamble Aware –
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
Topics