"Only 5% of gamblers would be willing to give up watching all sport (to help with their recovery) and spend more time with their family".
Following on from ALN's thread which had probably run its course, I wanted to take a fresh look at this interesting and important topic. Firstly I would say that a Gamcare forum debate does not have to mirror the antics carried out in the House of Commons! We should all be supportive of each other with genuine concern, showing respect and thoughtfulness. Criticism and judgement is not necessary, although I do accept that some people need a hard-line approach for defeating their demons.
Ok, my view on the subject for what it's worth...
I'm not sure where the 5% statistic in the original thread came from. I am very dubious about surveys - a further survey may indicate 30%!
I have read Paul Merson's book - 'Rock Bottom' in which he describes his crazy gambling exploits, detailing his addictive sports betting on any football match, in any country, at any given opportunity. To me that represents a gambler in the realm of compulsion. Unyet, as far as we know he's now gamble-free, but still very much connected to the sporting world.
I know that it's not the same for everyone and perhaps ALN's focus was on the type of person who needs a drastic overhaul of their lifestyle to abstain fully from gambling.
Personally, I can now enjoy watching a football match without an urge to place a bet. I can watch a game intently, appreciative of the skill and entertainment value. But I still remember the emotions, stress and blood-pumping adrenaline from a gamblers viewpoint. The only time I re-connect with these feelings is when I watch a live match involving the team I support, but in a healthy way, not damaging.
I think its a hard cold turkey attitude that SOME may want to adopt, I totally got what he was trying to say in that thread and it may be good for some people.I listen to talksport a lot but have found over the last few days I’ve been turning it off due to the bombardment of betting adverts, sport on tv and radio is very hard to avoid but you can also simply turn it off and go do something else....you just need the will, I’m in the early stages of wanting to quit I think it’s a great idea to avoid it, personally it’s not a massive trigger to me, I know I MUST stop or end up ruining my new life, that’s a big incentive for me, I will be watching my football team online today with no inclination to have a bet, if I blow this chance that’s it for me.You have to look deep inside yourself to get through this, long term, short term avoiding sport watching may help some.
Thanks holycrosser for your valued input and well done with your abstinence so far. It is clear that you are serious about leaving the gambling behind and I wish you well. You have mentioned a very important point with the gambling advertising both on radio and television. This subject has been discussed in great detail on the forum, but perhaps not in the context of watching or listening to sport in general. So maybe for some people, it could be a decision to stop watching sport until they ban the adverts, which are loud, in-your-face, inticing and intrusive. Not only that, the adverts attempt to recruit a whole new generation of gamblers with the promise of fun, excitement and profit. And the reason that they are allowed to continue is due to supposed assessment of the gambling industry, particularly with reference to addiction. The industry claims that most people enjoy having a bet and manage to stay in control. They then show a note of concern for the 'minority' of problem gamblers whose lives are adversely affected.
And here lies the problem... Firstly the notion that only a small percentage of people who bet actually have a serious problem, and secondly the blinded reality of the fact that thousands of people become addicted.
A couple of years ago I was at a 2nd Division football match and was dismayed by the number of people glued to their phones throughout the match. It was clear that they were checking up on various live football scores for cash-out accumulator bets. They hardly watched the match that they had paid to watch! And what I find more worrying is that they were mainly of the younger generation i.e. 18-30 years of age. I happened to know some of these lads and it appeared that they were perfectly in control. Just a bit of fun, maybe ВЈ5-£10 each time. Sometimes they won a bit, sometimes they lost - no big deal.
And that's what I thought myself 35 years ago with my first betting experience placing 50 pence chips on the casino roulette table. Since then I would now estimate that I have lost £70,000!
I thoroughly agree mate, I was dismayed at finding both my kids with betting apps on their phones, they seem to have just small wagers , it’s one thing I always was proud of, I NEVER brought this gambling into their lives , so this has been through their choice no doubt spurned on by adverts from tv because they haven’t got it off me.they no nothing of the mess I’m in, I’m hoping they are of sound mind not to become hooked so I try and drop hints never to chase a loss, I’m worried about my older son who does it more than his brother.
Calvin Harris has so many good life songs. I like everything though. So many different moods. Keep the faith pal!
holycrosser wrote:
I think its a hard cold turkey attitude that SOME may want to adopt, I totally got what he was trying to say in that thread and it may be good for some people.I listen to talksport a lot but have found over the last few days I’ve been turning it off due to the bombardment of betting adverts, sport on tv and radio is very hard to avoid but you can also simply turn it off and go do something else....you just need the will, I’m in the early stages of wanting to quit I think it’s a great idea to avoid it, personally it’s not a massive trigger to me, I know I MUST stop or end up ruining my new life, that’s a big incentive for me, I will be watching my football team online today with no inclination to have a bet, if I blow this chance that’s it for me.You have to look deep inside yourself to get through this, long term, short term avoiding sport watching may help some.
I'm the same I listen to talk sport last week it was horrendous on there cause of betting adverts for Cheltenham. I'm on day 8 and after the weekend of sport it's hard to completely switch off
At the beginning of this thread I mentioned about Paul Merson's book and I really hoped that he was still gamble free, but having just watched the recent TV program 'Harry's Heroes' it seems not to be the case.
My point was that ex-gamblers can still watch sports or be involved with it without being tempted back to gambling. And I stand by this. But I think that addictive behaviour is defined by the person's actions as a result of their own mindset as apposed to external temptations.
If you put chocolate in front of someone who is fond of it, but then told them that it is poisonous would they still devour it?
Some would, I have a feeling sport will push me back into it as there's too much betting advertising associated with it.My rule will be to severely limit what I watch , I'm not going back and want to break a 33 year old habit.very hard but needed
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