By CASEY NEILL
A SPRINGVALE tradie has become an unlikely hero for problem gamblers.
Matt Torcasio stars in the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation’s Fight for the Real You campaign, documenting on camera his first 100 days without a bet since his addiction took hold.
“To come out the other side, it’s been nothing but positive for me,” he told the Star this week.
“People at the footy are recognising me and asking for help.”
Helping others was the motivation Mr Torcasio, 26, needed to help himself and the reason he agreed to be one of four participants in a series of television commercials and online videos.
“Some good’s come out of my gambling,” he said.
“I’ve always thought about quitting gambling. It was whether I actually had the initiative to start doing it.”
Mr Torcasio can now go to the pub with his mates for a meal and a few beers without hitting the pokies.
“I don’t react to it anymore. I don’t need it,” he said.
The concrete labourer and landscaper admitted temptation would always be there, particularly living in Greater Dandenong.
“This area, it’s pretty scary,” he said.
“There’s so many pubs that you can go to.
“It does make it a danger spot for gamblers.”
Greater Dandenong residents spent $100 million on electronic gaming machines from July last year to May this year, according to Victorian Commission for Gaming and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR) figures.
But Mr Torcasio is confident he now has the tools to stay on track.
“There is always going to be the odd occasion when you’ll feel like it,” he said.
“But I’m strong enough now to say ‘no, it’s not worth it’.”
His addiction started as a release from the emotional strain of his mum’s brain cancer battle.
“As I hit 18 the only time I felt happy about myself was being out with the mates,” he said.
That led him to pubs and then pokies, where he won $3500 from the first $20 he put into a machine.
“I thought it was as easy as that,” he said.
He chased the feeling from that first win, then got hooked on horse racing when a $10 bet returned $6500.
“I had some massive wins but they’ll never cover the losses,” he said.
Mr Torcasio said he lost about $250,000 during his eight-year addition.
He had frequent fights with his girlfriend, was constantly borrowing money from others, and could no longer afford to have a drink with his mates.
“I didn’t want them to know I was gambling,” he said.
“I had nothing going for me.
“I just wasn’t happy in life.”
He’s now saved $8000 and has support from the mates he’d been too embarrassed to open up to.
“As soon as I told them, it was amazing to see what support they gave me,” he said.
“It’s made me the happiest person I’ve ever been.”
Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation CEO Serge Sardo said almost 2000 people had signed up for the Fight for the Real You challenge.
“Less than 10 per cent of problem gamblers are seeking help,” he said.
“The others suffer in silence and wait until their lives are virtually devastated.”
He said stigma, embarrassment and shame were the biggest barriers so, in a world first, the foundation turned to real people rather than actors for this campaign.
“They’ve been a true inspiration,” Mr Sardo said.
“They’ve set an example of how people can turn their lives around.
“Our research shows that if people get to seek help early then the harm and devastation is nowhere near as bad.”
Find out more and sign up for the 100 Day Challenge at fightforyou.com.au.
Free, confidential help is available for gamblers and their families 24 hours a day through Gambler’s Helpline, 1800 858 858, or gamblinghelponline.org.au.
