A mortgage broker whose son lost £30,000 by gambling online with his father's credit card said the case highlighted the appalling ease with which people could run up huge debts on the internet.
Stephen Richardson also condemned the operators of gambling websites who "could not be bothered" to run anything beyond the most cursory of checks on credit cards.
Daniel Richardson, 22, took the cards from a briefcase while looking after his younger sisters when their parents were away on a break in Amsterdam.
He used a home computer to place unlimited bets on "anything" from the outcome of football matches to the flip of a coin.
Richardson, of Oswaldwistle, near Accrington, Lancs, was made the subject of a supervision order and ordered to complete 200 hours work for the community after pleading guilty to seven charges of theft when he appeared before magistrates in Blackburn.
In an exclusive interview with The Daily Telegraph, he warned other young people to avoid the pitfalls of gambling.
He said: "I can't believe I could do it. It's been devastating. I've really messed up and I feel so sorry and ashamed."
His gambling addiction started as soon as he qualified for credit and debit cards four years ago.
At first he was content to gamble on fruit machines and at bookmakers. He then graduated to internet gambling sites. One of his favourites was 888.com.
He said: "It gradually got worse. The more I gambled the more messed up I became.
"I shut myself from everyone, I became reclusive. It got to the stage where I was gambling on anything.
"There were never any restrictions. I could just gamble with any amount I wanted. Sometimes I could win more than £10,000 on the turn of a card.
"My grip on reality became warped because I didn't actually see the money. It was all on screen.
"When it dawned on me how much I'd lost I went into a state of shock."
Richardson, who has not gambled for six months, added: "I've been stupid and selfish, but I've learned my lesson.
"They say you've got to reach rock bottom and I certainly did.
"But now I've turned my life around. My family have been unbelievable. My dad was right to take me to court.
"I just love him and the rest of my family so much for what they've done.
"My advice to anyone else who gets into this kind of situation would be don't gamble what you can't afford to lose. And if you are in trouble speak to someone."
His father said: "The sites he got on to only asked for the card number and expiry date.
"They didn't even want the security number on the back of the card.
"It was so easy for Daniel. I know my son was wrong and should be punished, but these sites - and the credit card companies - have a responsibility too. For someone to be able to place £5,000 bets without checking whether that person is who they say they are is bonkers.
source : The Telegraph
