Am I playing with fire??

No it's not stupid. Some counsellors even suggest moving to responsible gambling. But for me sports betting could get out of control too as I needed instant gratification and a limit was not enough. So for the majority of us we have to choose abstinence and break free because we know what happens. I think you will know the real answer as to whether you can do that. But if your nature is compulsive then I'd strongly say don't bother. What's the point? I am not really the bestone to advise having this week lost the plot.

minksy89 wrote: Ok so basically what I'm asking is the equivalent of an ex alcoholic asking if it's ok to have a pint of beer once a week with mates.. (we all instantly know the answer to that!) But wait! ...I have quite recently posted my downfall with slots but when it comes to sports betting I have got fairly strict measures In place.. I'm registered to one bookmakers with a weekly deposit limit (+ blocks on anything but sports betting). I've never in 3+ years tried to chase losses on said site. . So anyways back to my question.. can I play this account under them conditions and buy 2 euro millions tickets each Friday and STILL count my days away from online gaming.( slots + roulette) etc as achievements?? I do realises it's not an ideal selection but I know it's a realistic one and personally think a lot less damaging. Thanks and can I please ask anyone who replies to think outside the black and grey before laying into me for asking what they think is a stupid question Thanks again -. minksy

Are you asking for permission ?

99.9% by value of my gambling was on line slots and poker. 20yrs ago it was slots in pubs. Im addicted to gambling the fact i havent been in a book makers for 20 yrs makes no difference. I think only the individual knows the answer.

I havent drank in 21yrs and cant drink shandy. If i could without EVER go back to anything else i probably wouldnt be a alcohlic

Tbh it's a good question and not one that is really spoken about on this site. But as of yesterday I still do a football bet each week.
The football I have never had a problem with as in never gone back chasing etc. But I do realise it might become a problem at some point but when that happens I'll have a look at it.
I take it by euros you mean lotto?
I would suggest closing the account and doing it in the shop
Because then you haven't got all the other thing's tempting you when you put it on
Now for me gf day's are days you haven't placed a bet in any form for consecutive day's. Yesterday I was 110 day's gf but I wouldn't count today as 111 because I had a football and wouldn't see the point in carrying on counting
Deano

Experience shows that one bet leads to the next bet. And repeat, faster and bigger. You can't win because you can't stop. Hence the advice to avoid the first bet.

Could you think about exactly why you want or need to place that so called minor "shandy" type bet? How come you can't take it or leave it? Why does it matter to you? What does the process of placing that bet give you? Then you might get the answer to your original question.

CW

I think the problem with 'clinging', (ie 'controlled betting) is that it's coming at things from the wrong angle. Looking at things through gamblers' goggles. Those goggles show only a small world, full of compromises, where clinging seems like a good idea.

Your addiction is a symptom of some deep seated problem with life. The move isn't to try and tinker how you gamble. The move is to start making connections with people you care about, with yourself.

Clinging just keeps the addiction going and keeps you further removed from getting better. It keeps you on the downward spiral.

Time to break free.
Give yourself some perspective. What your suggesting is absolutely ridiculous to any normal, non addicted person.

Life doesn't have to be like this.

I wish you well.

Louis

I had a problem with roulette, i still to this day enjoy £5-£10 a weekend on football, and it causes me no problems, i took a break while the season was off and didnt bet on the euros, i have a daily deposit limit set and i dont find it causes me a problem. Every one is different there is no right or wrong for everyone

Sorry but I disagree. There most definitely is a right and wrong way, or to be more precise an effective and ineffective way of doing things.

Don'tchase - how long have you been 'controlled' for? Controlled often starts out well. But then there's slippage, as the fuzzy goal posts move.

People say they can (eg) sports bet, as that was never their poison. Then surprise surprise, people find that their compulsion shifts across to the remaining outlet.

I've been on this board for 3.5 years and don't know any poster who genuinely gambles in a prescribed, controlled manner (who was formerly a CG). They just don't exist.

I would be amazed if any counsellor advocates controlled gambling - not unless their in the pay of the gambling industry.

Hi minksy,

I think it's a case by case basis. As a gambler if you enjoy football and feel you can control it, then you still get the excitement in a controlled manner. I'm in the same boat as you, I enjoy a football bet and a lucky 15 on the horses on a Saturday. Unfortunately I tend to chase money via other routes like virtuals or roulette if I'm losing. I think if your happy to pursue it the way you are then why not? But id be worried you could for instance open a new account etc?

Good luck though and please let me know how you get on.

Jake

Why do you need or want to place the bet? Why does it matter?

CW

It would be interesting to hear some of Minksy's replies to the questions and comments raised. Here's to hoping. Tri

@ cardhue ive been in control for as long as i can remember i have a totally different life to what i had 18-24 months ago simply from putting blocks in place and working my a**e off to get clear of debt and gambling, and the way i go about gambling now works for me so its by no means the wrong way regardless of you being 'on the board for 3.5 years' it means nothing and everyone deals with it in a different manner. That being said i will not be complacent and niave in to the thinking i am fully in control and that there isn't a stupid urge or chase around the corner.

Dontchase- if you've been in control for as long as you can remember', why are you on a CG forum?

Sounds like 'controlled gambler's logic'

I don't have personal beef with you. I wish you well. But offering controlled addiction as a good alternative to newbies, is irresponsible. That's what I object to strongly.

An option of continued gambling is pretty attractive. For a gambling addict

If your completely unwilling to quit, then less destructive forms of gambling are better than nothing. But let's call this for what it is - if you're a CG and then change/moderate your gambling...YOUR'E STILL A GAMBLING ADDICT (and I don't mean in an abstract 'once an addict always an addict' sense- I mean you're an active addict)

This is shown by the fact you are not willing to quit. There might be many reasons why you're not willing to, but the bottom line is, you will not. You choose not to.

that's fine, do what you want, but it's not something newbies should aspire to. You can't offer addiction as a cure to addition.

moderated addiction is defeatist. Read about the people who stop completely, see how it dramatically changes lives. It's not all some big conspiracy from people who have stopped. It really is infinitely better to quit.

Louis

Day 21. No slots or gaming at all but have placed football bets the last 2 Saturdays (each Saturday with in my deposit limit) . So not really sure if this is an achievement or not? I've actually got a positive bank balance now (from working not gambling) still owe just over ВЈ300 on my credit card but shouldn't take to long to clear . I can't ever let my guard down with slots etc again my £3000 savings have gone and I'm beginning to except it but it has to be a lesson I learn from...

In what world is that day 21 then?! You're on day 2. Don't kid yourself.