Do I tell work? Help please

If you really don't want to tell work...could you ..
Suggest client takes a guest in you're place... ( same cost to form )
If you really can't tell work..or get out of it...may be you could tell client you are not allowed to place bets whilst representing company. ..fingers crossed the client isn't a betting person and is happy to watch and enjoy hospitality. ..
Could you phone in sick on the day...
Yoyve really got to do whatever it takes to not gamble...
As is always said on here...honesty is always best though....
All the other suggestions are obviuosly lies. ...and as we all know to well....addiction thrives on lies...
Hope you come up with the right answer....don't put those hard earned gamble free days to risk...

Sadly I won’t be able to send anyone in my place I’ve enquired. I’m tempted to go along and not have any cash and leave as early as possible. This will be the first big test of attempting to stop gambling.

Well...I suppose if you can't get out of it....you'll have to go...
Going cashless is going to be trickey though...food/drinks etc ?
Also..the client will P robablly say. ." Come on let's have a flutter "
I'm assuming you plan on saying..
" not for me mate "...
He may accept that....he may push the subject..all things that will test you...all things that your addiction will trick you into thinking..
It's only today...I have to...I'm working...just a small flutter...etc etc...
Hence why ....it always comes back to honesty...
" not for me mate...I don't gamble "..and being prepared for any questions he may ask about that..
It's a tough one...but I hope it works out ok

I wouldn't advise telling work mainly because these things have the potential to backfire. Can you do the day at work then go home early feeling ill?. It really isn't a good idea for you to attend in any capacity and you have to put your own well being first.

If you 100% have no way out of going you are going to have to front it out and just say you do not gamble. Might make for an ackward 20 seconds if the client says anything but that is all. What is really the worst thing that can happen? Client thinks it is a bit odd you taking him to dogs/horses and not gambling.

Not a good environment to have to put yourself in though. Is there really no-one who could stand in for you if you had a sudden "family emergency" to deal with?

Sorry - did not actually answer your question.

For what it is worth, my view is do not tell work unless absolutely necessary or it is impacting on your ability to do your job to which I do not think this applies. Don't think the risk of negative outcomes either deliberate or unconciously by colleagues or bosses is worth it. Not everyone is necessarily going to be understanding or sympathic. The ugly truth for me is I probably looked down on people with addictions as a bit weak minded until I experienced it myself.

Hi I’ve just joined group and read your post. I’ve been in a similar situation. My findings were that most people who don’t have gambling addictions see it as harmless fun. I told my boss it wasn’t my thing and they made some jokes along the lines of how tight I was... however as uncomfortable as this was I reframed from gambling... and that was a win for me in the long run.... telling them is unnecessary risk unless it impacts your job on the day to day. Personally I wouldn’t but the choice is yours. However I struggled in the environment brought back a lot of memories and I never gambled that night but was back gambling in the same place weeks later, telling myself I was in control as I got through that night

My friends have organised racing at Wincanton I've just said sorry to skint

I would agree with the above - if you can get away with not going (a last minute family emergency) that would be the best case scenario although I realise encouraging lying isn't what needs to be happening either.

I wouldn't tell your work unless it directly impacts your job, although you could maybe say you had a bad experience once and so would rather not be around it for future client entertaining to save this happening again.

Hi guys,

Thanks for all your advice / support. I don’t really want to tell work so I’ve decied to do the old awkward sorry not for me. I will make my excuses early and just say it’s not my thing. They know I’ve bet previously but will just say since moving House I avoid these situations.

Hi

Yes its a difficult one. In a good world you should be proud of telling work that you dont gamble. Unfortunately gambling is deeply rooted in our society so you could be considered odd, antisocial or not willing to do your job.

I would say to anyone that is forced to attend such an event...do not take any credit cards, debit cards or backup money.... go with what will cover the days normal expenses or a set allowance. Awkward yes but it just means you wont get an urge to raid a card.

I should clarify that by saying I live on an extremely low balance credit card and debit card where covering funds are held elsewhere by other people. Never have I tried to get loans/payday loans or other credit since starting my recovery. I have no overdraft facilities and my credit record is monitored by family because I want it that way

Its a very awkward one though as I would have to consider another job if that was going to be a part of the job.

The problem is this: I have found telling active gamblers that I dont gamble ( or dare I say in recovery) doesnt work. I have found they are immediately uncomfortable and upset because they see me as judging them as they know its more than a bit dodgy. Some get quite angry and we have to part company.

The horses and dogs are not my trigger but I am a compulsive gambler elsewhere so these type of events are not for me.

Its a difficult question where work and your livelihood is mentioned. I would like to think you have a good relationship with work but a good relationship with the boss is becoming rarer and rarer.

Best wishes from everyone on the forum

I was more than loathe to tell work, initially, I refused to but now I’m happy to admit to it...I’m owning my addiction, it doesn’t control me anymore. Sadly this has prompted one idiot to try & convince me I can make money from gambling (despite my 30 years of trying proving otherwise) & the odd bit of disbelieving banter which I’m quite comfortable engaging in.

It’s a shame you’re not further down the line but plenty of people don’t bet so there’s no shame in declining to participate in that side of it. & all the press it’s getting lately should be enough to put everyone off gambling for life. Treat it like a show, you put up with adverts in the middle of television programs so maybe try & tune that side of the event out. So sad that companies don’t get it, then again, I suppose it takes an addict to know one so why would they. Certainly don’t take any spare money.

maybe say you have a great uncle relative lost his home his family to gambling his inhertiance and you are so cautious with your money . very very sad ,how grateful you are for his company this evening and hope they have a pleasant evening go with the flow , go their for research observe for yourself and be proud not to go back to this horses corruption, i heard all the stories tonight in a pub, do you drink if so tell the guy we have a drink ! the great uncle bless him didn't drink and lose everything to alcohol as well , i'm sure the guy will understand your a proud man, you seen what it done to your family and you would have inheritance today. if it wasnt for great uncles reckless millons .it is serious you dont gamble at the races, Heaven

Do take the money put stand proud when you leave with it... count it ... remember life is one big stage you can play it or go back to the aah i just go along with it, like great uncle fred whom lost all his great great uncle paddy money it went on for years and no got a penny between them. enioy the races i use to think it was a evening to dress up and today it horses fixing drugs racing and sadness to debt and a second hand life!!!