Hi all I am almost a year gamble free but one thing has been bothering me I have been playing darts now I’m a local pub for around 2 years to play the game I have to pay in £3 I have asked questions before is this classed as I am gambling I’ve been told I’m not technically gambling I am playing a sport but have to pay in . I class gambling as in if I was to play a slot machine or place bets as I use to. Thank you for readingÂ
Hello Jade,
Congratulations on being gamble free for nearly a year. I am on a similar trajectory to you on our recovery journeys in that I have been gamble free for 313 days.Â
To answer your question I don't think that counts as gambling as you are paying in and contributing in a past time and hobby.Â
My mum has to pay in £3 to play bridge ( a card game) with other members each Wednesday and she is not a gambler and has never gambled in her life.Â
Enjoy your darts and your hobbies and the best of luck on your continued recovery to being permanently gamble free.Â
All the best,
Â
RogerÂ
hi Jade
Well done in advance of hitting that amazing milestone one day at a time.
This is a tricky one, I think but with a simple answer.Â
Any compulsive gambler in recovery is going to face challenges of grey areas...is it gambling or isn't it. I abstain from everything directly related to gambling and with raffles I would make a donation and not take a ticket. In golf there are often competitions to win prizes or money. Should I be faced with that position in the future I would probably give anything I won to a friend of charity so I can consider it an entry free with no reward.
I would imagine you know the answer yourself. If it doesn't feel like gambling, if it's not leading you to thoughts of reigniting the addiction then it's ok. I would also suggest taking an outside look on your thought patterns in this instance. Does it make you or give you any negative thoughts ? If not then it's ok.Â
The fact that you have asked the question, no doubt means that you have doubts. Is there any way of making the entry a donation instead of the potential to win ?
Hi everyone thank you for your feedback I see it as I’m not gambling I’m just entering to play I have never won the prize money myself I’ve had no bad thoughts of gambling while playing I see it as I’m playing along in a sports game I had some advice from the gamcare team and they also said most sports games often you have to pay in a fee I will take it as that thank you allÂ
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