2015 Challenge

Ps Welcome back to

WillDo79 and 6 days done already.

i have gambled. 36 days since i last played a fobt though. i wish to remove myself from this challenge though. no response to my question as to whether i should stay in the challenge or not. not even from admin. This site is not very helpful imo.

Dazz1982 wrote: No problem - have you thought about what happens if you win big at the horses, football acculimators etc? Will it go safely into the bank? I only ask this as last year when I was 4 months gamble free I spoke to my bro and put on a 6 fold horse accumulator and won 3k, needless to say this led to an 8 month gambling relapse which meant at the end of it I was 15k down. Don't tread the same path I did.

You have had a response No problem

Afternoon all, checking on for another gamble free week.

Scott

thanks triangle. Im struggling with gambling thoughts today. 36 days of no fobt. i dont have access to my cards so i am limited. at some point though i will have control of them again. maybe at 100 days. my record for staying off fobt's is about 115-125 days. i want to beat the record and more, if it means losing ten quid a week on football then so be it as that would be but a drip in the ocean compared to the losses suffered on those horrid things. Thanks again.

No problem I'm not quite sure I understand your philosophy, do you gamble on football in betting shops or online? If in a shop I just think you are making it even harder for yourself as the temptation is always there, what if your tenner football bet turned into a £200 win. Will it be that easy to go and collect and walk out without the old demons coming back and enticing you into the FOBT's.

I've no idea whether you can remain in the challenge if you are not gamble free, Clare can you clarify.

Hi Clare, unfortunately im checking in Day 1, please reset my count, extremely disappointed in myself. It was my best friends stag do at Ascot on Saturday, kidded myself into saying just take £50 for food, drink, and try to avoid betting.Started drinking at 8am, by the time I was on the coach at 11am drunk I managed to find myself a new bookies app on my phone, created an account and deposited money I couldn't afford to lose. I wish i just said I'd just go to the evening do, but felt I couldnt let me best friend down. Since Saturday's loss I've chased up until last night, now self excluded and slept on everything and determined to get back on the right path, 41 days was a good period, will definitely be on a new personal best in 42 days time from now and stronger than ever, my mates now know I have a problem too which will help as I was miserable all evening haha.

Have a good week everyone.

I will leave this challenge but keep doing updates on my diary as i dont think its fair that i cannot be part of it jsu tfrom quitting fobt which is my only area of weakness.

Hi guys

I don't make the rules about who is in this challenge and over whether you've quit all gambling or whether you still indulge in some kinds. I for one play the lottery on a Saturday by direct debit for £2 a week, always have and always will. That won't stop me being in this challenge to stop gambling. We are all here for our own reasons and I am quitting slots which I've had my issues with. I still feel comfortable saying I'm gamble free as I'm resisting playing slot machines and I'm paying off debts and saving up etc etc.

I think you did get a few replies/ comments No problem to your question, but nobody here can give you all the answers you need. I think using your diary more is an excellent idea and then others can follow your progress and may try to answers questions you pose on there. Admin aren't really there to answer your questions either, perhaps if you require extra support you could consider calling and speaking to an advisor at Gamcare or GA.

When I began doing the days count on a Sunday I volunteered as I wanted to help out and felt it important to keep it running, but I am definitely not here to make any rules about the challenge. The challenge runs itself by many of you great people checking in here once a week and making comments / sharing ideas along the way.

As a team we are doing great and we are helping support each other immensely.

Sorry to hear of what happened on Saturday Gerry8 but at least you're back here and looking to continue on the path to recovery.

There's still time to build up a significant number of days in the challenge this year with around 140 ish days left you can triple the days you had done before.

Guess it's good your mates now know and they can support you in getting past that six week milestone you speak of. You sound determined and I wish you well.

boxingdaysmay15 (Clare)

Checking in on another week gamble free xx

Checking Inn 138 days

thanks boxingdaysmay15. Day 37 of no fobt. Yesterday i was seconds away from playing a fobt machine but i resisted at the last minute, think it will spur me on now to break this years record of 43 days which is next week. We all have our own challenges with gambling but mine is only the fobt machine. i even watch you tube vids of people playing them, sad isnt it. I have to think though ive done over 5 weeks without feeding the machines and dont want to go back to square one.

Also to Gerry8. You said you want to get to 42 days, i did 43 days earlier this year, it must be around the 35-50 day mark where people could potentially fall off the wagon. i am setting goals. firstly to beat that record then get 50 days, 75 days and so on.

Checking in on day 157...... glad to report still gamble free

Thank you Clare and Suzanne. Day 7 today. Not having access to money is helping me. It is so easy to lose money and life with gambling. Wish everybody on here the strength to resist the temptations and choose not to gamble anymore.

Checking in on 209 days. Time passes so quickly.

Thanks for the mention on last update after I'd gotten past the 200 days mark.

It's appreciated and it gives me further encouragement to keep going through these "unchartered waters".

It's not been easy at times.

This Forum and the people on it have helped in a major way.

Best Wishes to all.