'I lost £5million due to my gambling addiction'

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A father who became suicidal after gambling over £5m has told how his life was destroyed by addiction.

Mark Bradshaw says his life "spiraled and fell apart" after he secretly became addicted to gambling in a two-decade ordeal that cost him his job, his relationship and almost his life life.

The 40-year-old spoke out as the government announced long-awaited plans to force companies to step up controls on bettors as part of efforts to tackle problem gambling and protect those most at risk.

The much-delayed white paper includes rules to reduce maximum bets, require more background checks and a new levy to fund research and treatment of problem gambling in a series of measures designed to target gambling. 'online industry.< /p>'Gambling companies were no different from a drug dealer'

Mr Bradshaw's addiction began when he visited a casino with a group from his club rugby player, 18 years old. He became "obsessed" with roulette and blackjack and quickly became a repeat customer.

The 40-year-old said he was constantly "streamlining and normalizing" his playing levels and ended up playing more £5million

(Mark Bradshaw)

As his playing habit grew, his rugby career and military career came to an end. At 23, he missed a military enlistment so he could bet on the races. There he got into a fight and was arrested. He says he was later acquitted, but fired from the army.

Things got even worse for Mr Bradshaw when he moved to a recruiting post and 'he suddenly got much bigger paychecks.

"I was incredibly good at my job so I was making tens of thousands of pounds a month and became a millionaire practically overnight. next day - but without any direction or control," he told The Independent.

He remembers betting £50,000 on Jubilee Day in 2012. "I lost everything. It should have been a really good day for my kids, but everything that bothered me was b...