Ex-Rugby Player Reveals How He Lost Everything to Gambling
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His downward spiral began after an injury left him searching for a way to fill the void that sport once occupied in his life.
Edwards, originally from England, grew up with a deep passion for sports, particularly rugby. “Rugby was my passion, it was my calm space,” he shared. However, his rugby career was cut short when he tore his cruciate ligament. Although this injury ended his time on the field, his love for competition never waned.
How Injury Led Edwards from Rugby Dreams to Addiction
Following his rugby career, Edwards relocated to New Zealand with his family in 2006 after falling in love with the country during a tour with the British and Irish Lions. He then turned to endurance mountain biking, a new sport that offered him a similar sense of calm and focus. Edwards successfully completed a Taupō bike loop four times, covering 640 kilometres in less than 29 hours. But another injury during a Taupō event left him unable to cycle, and this time, the loss hit him hard.
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Without the outlet of sports, Edwards found himself turning to gambling, specifically the pokies, to quiet his mind. His workplace was close to the Christchurch Casino, where he would often park for just $2 a day. One day, he put $20 into a machine, and on his second press, he won $26,500. It was that moment, he said, that hooked him. Gambling gave him back the sense of competition and control he craved.
However, the thrill soon turned destructive. “The casino sent me records showing I’d spent $68,000 over two years,” Edwards admitted. “But I know I’ve lost three times that amount.”
His gambling addiction spiraled out of control. His wife was unaware of his gambling habit until their finances began to crumble. Edwards started using credit cards, pawning items for cash, and taking out loans. When confronted by his wife, he confessed to gambling. The next day, his wife asked him to leave their home, and he moved in with a workmate. In the end, Edwards lost his family, his job, and his savings.
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Road from Gambling Ruin to Redemption
Reflecting on his experience, Edwards says, “The amount of time I spent away from my family, away from doing the things I loved … I’ll never get that back.” Six years after placing his last bet, Edwards has rebuilt his life.
Now working in credit management, he also shares his story as a keynote speaker and writer, aiming to educate others on the dangers of gambling addiction. “There is a split second of calm before you make the decision to gamble,” Edwards advises. “In that moment, take a deep breath and realize you don’t have to do it.”
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