What started with some loose change and a small win turned into years of battling a gambling problem for former Parramatta Eels players Nathan Hindmarsh.
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The NRL star lived two hours out of Sydney on a dairy farm as a child and moved to the city at the young age of 18.
Because the then youngster didn’t have accommodation, the club popped him up in a unit across from the Parramatta Leagues Club with some of his fellow team mates.
Nathan confidently told his story to Moree’s Pius-X Corporation staff on Wednesday to destigmatise the image of a problem gambler.
“I am not here to blame anyone else for my problem, it was no one else’s fault other than my own.”
Nathan described one particular night when he and his team mates headed to the club to get their usual $5 roast dinner.
He found some loose change in his pocket whilst heading through the pokie area and innocently decided to have a go.
“I didn’t know how to play them but I just put my change in and I won, put my winnings in a plastic cup, had dinner and went home.”
A week or so later after training Nathan went back to the club and had another “punt”, he lost and ended up withdrawing his monthly allowance and putting it through.
“It wasn’t me just being stupid with my money, I really had a problem.
“Gambling does not discriminate you can be rich or poor, educated or uneducated. I know dentists and lawyers who’ve had problems.”
Nathan found himself lying to his girlfriend, now wife, about his spending and when confronted he was angry.
“She suggested professional help so I went to the club, told them I had issues and they guided me into a clinic at Parramatta. I went to some sessions and thought it would be a quick fix,”
The football star relapsed and found it wasn’t until he built the courage to tell two or three of his close team mates that a change occurred.
Together with a councilor, his wife restricting his money flow and his team mates “babysitting” his wallet each time they went out, Nathan slowly defeated the problem.
“The high I get now walking out of a pub or club knowing I didn’t gamble is better than the high I got off the pokies.”
Nathan now travels around with Clubs NSW telling his stories to young and old urging people to be courageous and put their hand up before it’s too late.
He visited Toomelah and Goondiwndi on Tuesday where he spoke to community members and Clontarf students.
“My message is always the same, don’t be afraid to ask for help,” he said.
On Wednesday Nathan spoke to Pius-X Aboriginal Corporation staff and Moree Secondary College students.
“Kids do surprise you with the certain questions they ask. A lot of the time they want to know how they can help their friend in the same situation.
“I’ve had some kids come up after the presentation and admit they have a problem and we stay in touch,” he said.
Nathan’s biggest tip for confronting someone with a possible gambling problem was to wait for the perfect moment.
“You’ll know when that moment is. Just have a relaxed, casual conversation and don’t point the finger because nine times out of ten they’ll run the other way.”
If you or someone you know may have a gambling addiction, gambling help has 24/7 counselors to provide support and advice just call 1800 858 858.
