Thanks for sharing!
I have had a similar problem - not with losing money, but with losing time.
I have read that websites such as Gamblock can be extremely useful, but for me it wasn't as I eventually found a way to get back gambling again (that's another story).
I'll get straight to the point - the ways in which I am beating addiction (I am addicted, no formal diagnosis) is by doing the following:
Eliminate/reduce environmental/external cues/triggers (anything you can see that reminds you to start betting). For example:
i) I have installed an <strong>ad blocker extension</strong> on my Google Chrome. It's free, and there are lots of different ones. I am no longer targeted with betting ads (on Google or YouTube).
ii) Anything in your arms length will dictate your life/behaviour/future. Therefore, I removed my piggy bank (I only realised this was my gambling trigger once I thought about it).
Write down rules. For example, 'Do not chase loses' or 'Never assume you are in control' or 'Cravings cause relapse'. PRINT THESE OUT. If you do not print these out, or write them on a piece of paper that you can see, they will remain abstract and so obsolete.
Ask tough questions. Sometimes there are questions we ask ourselves that can terrify us, because we are often too scared to admit the truth. One such question for me was the following: what areas of my life are not getting the attention they deserve? I remember sitting in my car, by myself, looking out at the sea as I read this... I just put the piece of paper down and felt an instant depression AND relief.
I also use a <strong>habit tracker</strong>. I got this from Amazon, because I didn't have a printer at the time to make my own one. The habit tracker has been the real deal for me. I see it everyday, mark it everyday, and have a permanent reminder to continue when things get tough. The idea is based on the Seinfeld method of productivity. It's an extremely easy principle to understand, and goes a little like this: the human mind hates when chains are broken, therefore, we are more likely to continue developing a positive/productive habit simply by continuing to put an X in each day/box of our calendar/habit tracker.
I could say a lot more but unfortunately need to go! If you have any questions, just reply and I'll try my best to get back to you.