I'm rather new here but I wanted to reply right away because it sounds like you need some support. I would ask if you knew what led you into the binge in the first place? If you don't offhand it would be important to identify that first. I didn't know the word trigger until I joined this group. As with a lot of people it may be a blow in your life like a breakup or losing a job. For me it has been desperation during unemployment. I would go for the free play and figure I could come home with gas money. That worked for a few times but since I'd already become compulsive it built up and then I'd go and blow a wad I didn't even have off a credit card, figuring it was justified somehow. Not! Your ex getting a job at the casino is very painful but it could be just the thing to keep you away for good. You found out you had no support there so good riddance. You can beat this now while you are young and find alternative activities. Write some goals down of what you could or would like to spend your money on and make it happen! There is a great big world out there to explore outside of a life sucking casino. Keep posting. It helps to check in.

Most people look at a job like a refrigerator. (Everyone needs one.) Many of us here on D/S have figured out that there are some things more important than money. Our values shift with abstinence or sobriety - recovery becomes a value that is usually at least in the top 3. So a recovering alcoholic should probably not take a job at a bar, and we recovering compulsive gamblers would be taking a possibly very self destructive path if we got a job at casino.

One of the key words in your post is "ex girlfriend". I presume there were other issues before this or you would not be exes. I can understand that her taking the job may have felt like one more stab wound or slap to the face, added to the pain of your break up. However, she is obviously not very supportive if at all. She may not care anymore what your issues are, maybe she never did - either way time to stay away from her. I agree with afreshmind that it may be a blessing in disguise. (Look at her as another tool to help you quit gambling.)
It is a time when you need a loving community in which to feel your feelings and share them without fear of rejection, shame or judgement. Sadly people who never had a gambling compulsion often do not understand this insidious disease. Face to face support groups, GA, therapy provide that loving community with others that have been where you are.

I have found that when I am in the throes of my gambling addiction, I do not make good decisions. I was a gambler who gambled for escape. Ultimately the gambling is what I needed to escape. The act of gambling gave me much needed dopamine (chemical over- produced in the bodies of compulsive gamblers) that feels good and curtailed the serotonin. (Another substance produced by your own body which is essential to good judgement, and controlling impulses. While gambling we were basically flooring the gas pedal and had no brakes.
My counselor told me that it takes 90 to 120 of abstinence from gambling to get these two substances regulated to normal levels again.

Hang in there.

I guess I would like to say that it really doesn't matter what your "ex" girlfriend is doing. What is important is what you are doing. "Praising God and hoping to turn gambling into a pastiime" will not give you recovery. It is important to praise God, but He wants us to do the steps necessary to keep from gambling: No money, stay out of casinos, go to meetings, make a plan on how you won't gamble, etc.

I am sure you are hurt by your "ex" girlfriend's actions, but it is important that you concentrate on you - not her or anyone else. Your recovery is much more than worrying about her. Stay focused on what you need to do to make yourself better! You can't change her, and by the sounds of it, she wasn't a support to you. I would take this as a sign from Him, that it is best that you are no longer together.

Please keep coming back!

welcome to the site, outfun....first, I want to say once we have crossed over into compulsive gambling, we can never gamble for fun, or be able to control it. once we accept that fact, then we can start the road to recovery.

you have already received some great advice from others, so read it carefully, and start a recovery journey. it is the best gift you can give yourself.l

keep coming back. we do care here.