**Mother of Six Overcomes £100,000 Scratchcard Addiction**
A woman from Colchester, Essex, has bravely shared her story after conquering a compulsive scratchcard addiction that spanned nearly 15 years and cost her close to £100,000. Marie Ellefsen, 45, revealed the details of her gambling struggle, in the hope it encourages others battling similar issues to seek help.
It all began with a seemingly harmless £20 win on her very first scratchcard when she was in her early thirties and a mother of two. That initial reward sparked a desire to recapture the same excitement, prompting her to purchase more tickets almost immediately—though she was unsuccessful. “I saw it as a bit of harmless fun at first,” Marie explained. “We didn’t have much money, and the prospect of a lucky break was so tempting.”
However, the thrill of occasionally winning led Marie to make daily purchases, and within three months she was spending around £10 a day on scratchcards. Each time she won—even sums as high as £100—she would immediately reinvest her winnings in more tickets, chasing the elusive jackpot that always remained out of reach.
Over the years, the addiction grew stronger. In December 2021, a rare £500 win allowed her to spoil her family for Christmas. Yet instead of slowing down, Marie’s habit intensified. She started buying four £10 cards every day, and a further windfall of £500 in November 2023 pushed her spending to new extremes—sometimes as much as £150 daily. Hoping to keep her addiction secret, she made efforts to buy scratchcards at different retailers so that shop staff would not become suspicious.
Marie was receiving Universal Credit to help provide for her family, but instead of using the funds for household essentials, she found herself driven to spend the money on scratchcards. In desperation, she sometimes asked her husband Michael—unaware of her addiction—for extra cash, claiming it was for grocery shopping. Looking back, she estimates that a total of approximately £98,500 was spent on lottery scratchcards.
The pressure and guilt eventually became unbearable. “The shame and embarrassment were overwhelming,” she admitted. She finally confided in Michael and together they drew up a plan for her recovery. With his support, and determined self-discipline, Marie has now been free from scratchcard gambling for eleven months.
“It’s such a relief. I can walk past scratchcards in shops now without a second thought,” she said. “It’s the best feeling in the world to be free of them.” Marie described how her life has improved since breaking the habit, highlighting the simple joys of using her money to buy small treats for her children—such as magazines or soft toys—once a week, something that previously felt out of reach.
She also reflected on how, despite not smoking or drinking, she was unable to see her behaviour as addictive. “It never dawned on me how much money I was spending until I added it up. It’s heart-breaking to imagine what we could have done with those savings.”
As part of her ongoing strategy to maintain control, Marie watches online videos featuring people losing money on scratchcards. “It’s a way of reminding myself how much I lost—never buy scratchcards,” she urged. “You’re never going to get a big win. In the long term, you don’t even get your money back: it’s just chasing an impossible dream.”
Marie’s story shines a light on the often overlooked dangers of scratchcard addiction, particularly at a time when gambling remains easily accessible. Her honesty offers hope to those in similar situations, as she demonstrates that recovery is possible with the right support and self-awareness.