2015 Challenge

Sorry to hear about your so called misdemeanour Phil, like others have put you won't get an apology, some things in life we have to put out hands up and disagree wholeheartedly but move on, I hope you can do this as it would be a great shame to lose you from the site. Half a million saved let's make it a million by new years eve!! ODAAT

... don't forget that you are stronger than before and responsible for your own actions/opinions/ suggestions/views.

...You have responsibility man, stand tall and get on with your recovery as we all do! Day at a time!

GT wrote:

How very unfortunate.

What I really cannot believe after reading the above comments is this...

..."what were my dreams if I won a lot if money?"

To be asked this by someone from GamCare is...

...I'm sorry, but I really am at a loss for words.

I really do think that there should be some sort of complaint about this as this was totally the wrong thing to say to a recovering compulsive gambler.

It is important to remember that we are not against the gambling industry. We are totally against the current lack of controls and regulations within the gambling industry. This does lead to many of us, me included, to rebel against the gambling industry. We are all trying incredibly hard to take responsibility for our own actions but are they?

As for you, Bornagain, just remember what you have done...

...over half a million pounds saved.

HALF A MILLION! 🙂

GT

I thought I had over-reacted when I was asked that question, and posted my thoughts in my recovery diary thread when it happened.

A weaker willed person would have succumbed I think.

The events of the last 24 hours as reported on here have made me question if this is a healthy place for me to be. I really wish all those fighting gambling addiction all the best but I think I might now go to GA. Good luck guys.

Simon.

Day 297 , sorry i havent posted for a while,,im still doing good and abstaining and i'll do a proper big update in 3 days time on my 300th day

hi phil, i was in the chat last night and i was absolutely appalled by the admin D , who booted you ..i was fighting your corner as she booted you and she showed no remorse at all. For you to put some facts into a gamblers chatroom i felt was most appropiate especially when there were new people in there to open their eyes ...Why she banned you from chat i'll never know , she warned you and you said no more , you just informed us what she said !! I wasnt happy and she knew it , what harm can you do from saying the actual truth , its a chat room ffs !! Us gamblers need advice and help for what the bookies do underhandedly , we know it all goes on, why cant we talk about it !?!?! Phil i hope you are ok especially when youve gone in there for support and that happens, chin up mate , the future will be bright

Checking in 29 days gamble free.

lollypoplol wrote:

Day 297 , sorry i havent posted for a while,,im still doing good and abstaining and i'll do a proper big update in 3 days time on my 300th day

hi phil, i was in the chat last night and i was absolutely appalled by the admin D , who booted you ..i was fighting your corner as she booted you and she showed no remorse at all. For you to put some facts into a gamblers chatroom i felt was most appropiate especially when there were new people in there to open their eyes ...Why she banned you from chat i'll never know , she warned you and you said no more , you just informed us what she said !! I wasnt happy and she knew it , what harm can you do from saying the actual truth , its a chat room ffs !! Us gamblers need advice and help for what the bookies do underhandedly , we know it all goes on, why cant we talk about it !?!?! Phil i hope you are ok especially when youve gone in there for support and that happens, chin up mate , the future will be bright

Sounds like the admin was a bit of a joke. It's good to hear it and be told how it is with no beating around the bush.

Evening troops,

Not going to say much, but what I will say I'll try to make succinct. There was a time that this was a great place to be - great people, who genuinely had the best interests of others at their core. Ok, there was the odd controversial post or inappropriate comment but we all have a right to an opinion. That was the glory of the site - opinions mattered and when they were different it was ok to be different.

There's been something different about the site recently - not sure what, until I read through the posts of the last 24 hours. There's no doubt in my mind that there is a huge majority of great people - I wish every one of you the very best in your recovery - the difference not gambling makes in your life makes the dark hard times worth it in the long run. I truly hope and pray you remove the physical act of gambling from your life - even though thoughts may be in your head......over a year and a half later they still appear in mine.

However, two things don't sit right with me any more - the undertone that is apparent and the seeming delight that certain individuals take in the hardship of others. You know, I could maybe tolerate that if it wasn't for the second thing - which is unreasonable, inconsistent and bias moderation. The censoring of some posts and not others where the censored post stated fact while the uncensored are personal attacks is simply wrong. Both being censored would have been frustrating but fair.

Anyway, I said I would keep this short and I'm failing miserably. It's the right time for me to move on from the site and venture out into the big bad world of recovery. Sorry if it seems like I'm moving on at a rough time for the challenge but I need to do what's right for me. I have made a commitment to Phil to write the update while he is away on holiday and if he chooses to continue facilitating the challenge then I'll follow through on that commitment.

I really hope someone takes on the challenge - it is incredibly fulfilling, but don't underestimate the commitment required.

Thanks to everyone who has helped me on my journey - I will miss you and wish you the very best. You should have my email address - if you don't and want it then email Phil and he'll send me your details.

Mr B - checking in, and checking out. I'm out of my cage and doing just fine. I am Mr Brightside.

I too will be making this my last post, my jourmey on the challenge has been a great help and wanted to be here to mark 2 years GF but im afraid that's not going to happen, I wish you all well with the choices you make in recovery and in life, be good to yourself and loved ones. Tony and phil please keep in touch. Del 🙁

Sorry to read that Del, along with Mr B, and Gregg and any one else that has left or leaving.

Phil has put soo much hard work into this thread for the last 6 months, it saddens me to think it may not continue til the end of the year because of his hard work alone, but I respect his wishes and everyone else's on here.

Never give up on giving up, the recovery journey is an amazing one, it is a gift(as Duncs says) United we stand,

Keep strong troops and keep safe.

Suzanne xx

Hate to be negative as I do wish the best to all on here wether your staying or now possible leaving the site but think carefully about how many have left the site only to come back. Whatever your feelings about the site if it's helping then use it for what it is and forget the rest of it. I think some (not all) will use this moment as an excuse to leave and then lead themselves back to gambling, hope I'm wrong of course I just know it's happened before (myself included) thinking that we can do it on our own only to find that we need some other support.

I don't usually get involved In the "controversial" side of this site and I understand some peoples feelings towards the betting organisations and I agree with some of them but I'm also of the mind that it's our responsibility to look after ourselves and it's nice to have support etc but we placed the bets and we need to take responsibility for our actions and I think only then can you really move on in recovery.

Anyway I shall be staying on the site as it helps me and I wish everyone the very best with there own recoveries whatever decisions are made. I wish I had the time to run this challenge as I would like to help but I know how much work it takes and wouldn't be able to do it justice. I hope someone does take over - well I hope phil stays but he has to do whats best for his own recovery - as this is a big help to myself and many others but whatever happens I shall keep making the right decisions and I hope you all do the same.

Dear all,

The FrontLine Services Manager responds:

There are often questions raised about the integrity of the gambling industry. Anyone who has specific concerns and is able to evidence such claims should contact the operator in the first instance. Depending on where and how the operator works (e.g. land based, online, etc.) there is always a route for taking a complaint further. Ultimately, a complaint can be taken to the Gambling Commission ( http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/ ) as it regulates commercial gambling in the UK.

Anyone who wishes to know more about GamCare’s funding which is received from the Responsible Gambling Trust, an independent national charity, can visit their website http://www.responsiblegamblingtrust.org.uk/

The Forum and Chat Room moderators will continue to rigorously enforce the conditions of use. They do an exceptionally good job under the circumstances. Any user who is not satisfied with any aspect of the services provided by GamCare can send an email to @gamcare.org.uk">Complaints@gamcare.org.uk and a member of the management team will respond directly. Unfortunately a minority of users will feel that GamCare’s services are not right for them. We sincerely hope that these individuals are able to find the alternative support that works for them.

What was said by the forum member that has triggered was NOT libellous it was NOT lobbying against any organisation.

It was an of the cuff comment within a conversation about the gambling industry that there was corruption within it.

Admin totally took this to far, and I'm guessing the majority of regular users are of that opinion.

Very disappointing to read all of the above..hope everyone finds a bit of peace and serenity to find the best path for them.

I'll continue to use this challenge as long as it is here as I find it dovetails nicely with GA (which will always be my primary method of continued recovery).

Anyway, checking in for the week.

Checking Inn day 95