Hart said that it was only after going to Gordon Moody that he worked out he had lost more than £250,000.
He also realised he had been heavily targeted by gambling advertising, which he described as “a real big problem”.
“You cannot go anywhere without seeing gambling, you cannot listen to the radio without hearing gambling adverts, and you can’t even get on a bus without seeing gambling adverts on the billboards,” he added.
“I suffered in silence for a long time where I was living from pay cheque to pay cheque and all my money went on gambling.
“I was hiding my gambling and I did not want anyone to know how much I was losing.
“That is when it becomes a problem. It was not enjoyable. It was kind of if I don’t win this bet then the bills are not getting paid.”