Hi,
So I have been a compulsive gambler for the past 12 years and I have finally (after many years of losses, deception, stealing, recluse behaviour etc...) decided to attend my first GA meeting last week and take steps to stop this horrible 'illness' that has been slowly destroying my life. I have to say it was a huge weight of my shoulders to speak at the meeting, and I have attended another one since and plan to continue 2-3 a week until 90 days. I have self excluded from all casinos (SENSE scheme), all my online sportbooks self excluded and working on the high street bookies. My finances will be controlled by my partner (from next payday as I have none left from this one!) and I am hoping my life will continue to get better from this point onwards!
I do have one quick query - it was Friday 25th August when I last spunked my full wage packet at the casino. I have a limit set at the said casino which I had withdrawn within about 2 hours. I then stupidly requested more funds and demanded they increased my limit to play further - which without too much hassle at all they asked me to sign (I had more than a few drinks in and out of the casino) a piece of paper, dont have a clue what it was, and then gave me more funds. I know its in the past and I wont be dwelling on it, but I just thought it was a bit naughty of the casino to up a players limit, who is visible drunk, so easy. Has anyone experienced this, and is there any recourse for recovering the funds spent over the limit?
Cheers to a gamble free life.
M
i Hi!
Glad to see your here for support. Good luck with your recovery!
I know with online casinos they should refund you if you deposit once self excluded or over your deposit limit however, you said you signed a form. I think they may have you there.
It might be worth sending a long detailed email about your GA and see what they say? Worth a s**t I'm sure.
Let us know how you get on?
Welcome to the forum marrtyb88 and well done for the action you have taken.
The GA meetings will be great for you because its good to talk in an open manner and you wont be able to rationalise any of your previous behaviour.
The limit issue is an interesting one. I feel that limits should not be raised on the day no matter what piece of paper they have brought out. You may be drunk and wound up with the red mist of chasing. At the very least it should take the time for you to consider it properly...say days or more preferably weeks.
Then again what is a gambling addict considering under the grip of a full blown addiction. Even a longish walk to a servicetill wouldnt bring me to my senses...although lets face it they usually set up close to a servicetill...no surprise eh.
Its advertised as a fun atmosphere but I began to see the dark overtones. Its a joust really between you and them but all the odds and favours are on their side. Ive been in places where they will switch the machine off rather than pay so its not a healthy relationship in any sense.
I feel you should bring that up with the casino and the "authorities" Keep working on you though and make sure you are ready to take all this on in a calm manner. Legally I would like to see firm limits that take time to change. I dont agree with any gambling but maybe thats a step closer to what I want to see.
Best wishes from everyone on the forum
Thank you all for your comments, I agree that this does need to be about me and my recovery, moreso in these early days. The meetings have been very useful so far, just to understand the thoughts of others in a similar situation so I will just keep attending. I have also thought about arranging a free counselling scheme that gamcare sponsor.
On the limit issue, I have been in today to see if the SENSE scheme worked and if they would let me in....it didnt work and they was going to allow me to enter to gamble!! I have now signed more forms in the casino, and they assure me I am now exlcuded from their casino, along with all casinos in the UK. I have sent a letter explaining the limit situation to the General Manager from which I await a response. Keep you updated.
9 Days GF.
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