*** Midweek Thoughts ***
Hello everyone, I hope you're keeping well. I've had a bit of a 'weird' couple of weeks, where my research into problem gambling has provided me personally with some profound revelations and realisations that I would like to share with you.
My weakness over the years has primarily focussed on fruit machines, be it in amusement arcades or pubs, or anywhere come to think about it (bingo, bowling alleys, anywhere there's a fruit machine). I've lost countless thousands on the bloody things. Now, I've always realised I was never going to get a 'fair' game because there were people out there who knew 'tricks'; clever ways to get the jackpot that I would never have thought of.
What I never realised, what I never fully appreciated, until a couple of weeks ago, was how underhand some of these tricks were, in my opinion. Now, I don't mind someone getting an 'edge' with a trick that 'Joe Public' might have discovered by accident, but these tricks were so unlikely to be discovered that, in my opinion, and, if substantiated, they border on the 'illegal' in my perception if that's defined by falling foul of the Gambling Commission's rules about fair play.
Let me give you an example. There was one slot where you needed to insert 80p, then 'switch' between stakes to generate a 'faulty' super hold that would instantly give you the jackpot. Now, [and I'm only speculating and theorising here, legal eagles reading this], but what if this was a 'built in fiddle', concocted by the game's developers, testers, and cohorts 'out in the field', the secret network of professionals, who could then cash in? Of course, it may well have been the case it was an undiscovered, innocent error that was subsequently 'chipped out'; a fix rushed out as soon as the manufacturers became aware of the anomoly. My conjecture is that if this was proved to be a deliberate trick, it would have been so underhand that it would have been impossible for the casual gambler to get a fair game.
What makes this interesting is that I have found dozens of other examples of fruit machine errors similar to this. And some of these, in my personal opinion, if proved negligent, would so distort any semblance of a fair game that they might be considered contrary to Gambling Commission rules.
Why am I aware of this in the last two weeks? I do not want to give my sources because the last thing I want to do is encourage anyone here to access the sites I've been looking at, hence it rekindles any feelings about gambling again. But, take it from me, I've done the research and, in my opinion, the whole thing stinks.
Why does it matter and why am I bringing it up? Here's why ..
Let me cut to the chase.
I need to round off this post by stating that I am not accusing any fruit machine manufacturer or their staff of any foul play. I would like to think the very highest standards and integrity are enforced. However, it is right that, in the light of anecdotal evidence widespread on the internet, questions should be asked.
Finally, I would like to thank a good friend of mine for suggestions about how I sensibly word this article.
Over and out. I welcome any thoughts!
Mixer
(166 days GF and counting!)
Quick check in as I'm a busy bee. Going strong 11 weeks tomorrow
Hi, Mixer, many years ago, long before I was interested in gambling, I was for a short period in the inner circle of such professionals. I’ve been trying recently to remember what exactly they did to the FOBS machines and I couldn’t, but I certainly remember them cheating on these for quick and large amount of cash.
Hi NiceNormalFamily - thank you for your post. I'm aware, as you know first-hand, the professional machine players have been around for years. I never realised, though, just how underhand and contrived the 'tricks' were. I'm not for a moment passing the blame of my addiction onto 'others' - I realise, like everyone on here, I am fully repsonsible for every penny I have gambled away.
It all helps underline to me, and hopefully others, yet another example of how futile gambling is.
Hi Mixer. You're certainly getting into the details with this gambling stuff. Dissecting every little part of it, and exposing the lies, control, manipulation and conspicuous activities within the gambling industry.
Maybe all the research has become an obsession; a quest for answers, accountability and truth. But if it helps to gain knowledge and build a stronger defence then there will be just cause.
Like you say - it's not about passing the blame or non-acceptance for our own decisions and actions. As you know knowledge is power.
The gambling industry is riddled with flawed systems and a deep vein of deceit. And of course it's the sorrowful punter that pays time and time again. It's not just fruit machines or f.O.B.T's, there is plenty of fixing taking place in the sporting world, although there have been some advances made in recent years to try and counteract it.
When I think of the times that I attended greyhound or horse race meetings and then faced with the sly controlling bookmakers running the show, watching the backs of one another. And if a punter was to lay a heavy wager, it was made to lose. An animal might be over-fed, or a jockey paid off. Match fixing in snooker, football, cricket and athletics has been uncovered. Leaving the poor punter on a very uneven playing field; as if it wasn't difficult enough to win in the first place!
Checking in on 48 days gf all good at the minute, blocks doing there job things slowly getting better.
Changemylife - thank you for your thoughtful post. A good point regarding my 'obsession''; yes, I am a bit. But in a good way I hope; I continue to be intriuged by problem gambling and everything to do with it, but need to make sure that the knowledge gleaned is used in the right way. That is, not to get dragged back into it! And you're right - there are fiddles abound; there always have been, and there always will be. Life's about "choosing your battles" - and the most important thing we can do is fight this one; to, one day at a time, not gamble!
Chartom - very glad the blocks you're putting in place are doing the job. 7 weeks gambling free tomorrow, and over the 'difficult' Chrstmas period to boot. Great stuff mate!
Checking in.
Tough day today had to pop the post office to post a parcel and there is a bookies next door. Had 10 mins to spare and popped in stupidly but even with the horses on and the machine trying to drag me over managed to stop myself from spending anything in there.
Have to stop myself from even entering in the future
Hi Guys..checking in still all clean and free from Gambling..Saturday going to be a hard day as my friends want to go to the Casino..they don’t know about my losses..hopefully I will be all clean
118 days checking in and I’m still gambling free. Had some weak moments recently. Feeling like I’m missing out and that I could afford to spend a little. It’s difficult as you think it’s all under control. Then you have moments of madness where you really want to believe you can just be a social gambler ( by this I mean to gamble in moderation within our limits) .
But, I’ve been in the quitting game long enough now. I know this is me having a wobble and I just need to make sure I don’t wobble and fall.
Talking to my best friend later today is part of my plan and remembering my plan for debt free by Dec 2020. Imagining the liberation of being free from paying hundreds back to debts each month that are largely gambling debts. I know that I must stay strong and ride it out. The thoughts will pass. I even dreamt last night that I was playing a slot machine and of course winning big.
Interesting stuff Mixer about your gambling research and I’d like to read about it too. But, for me, I wouldn’t want to be thinking too much about the slots and their possible cheats as i think I’d be tempted to try them out!
I believe this tactic is best for me; using avoidance and distraction to never think about them and remove them from my thoughts. This way I can keep them from my dreams too ?!
Very interesting post regards the slot fiddles Mixer will have a think about that. Read your diary from start this week and see you posted almost every day for first 100 days but less so recently. Great advice throughout Cheers. 36 gamble free days for me. Simply lovleh
Apologies to Mixer and my friends on the Guru Challenge. I gambled yesterday and today is my 1st day gamble free.
I know I will be ok if I focus on one day at a time but yesterday I just lost my resolve...stephen
Hi Guys..managed to stay GF last night after visiting the Casino. It was hard but I let my friends bet only. It was a very busy place more like a bar then a casino! Conclusion..Roulette is fixed on both forms..I saw one number come up 3 times! Stay gamble frrr guys..
116 days GF
Checking in with 44 days gambling free.
I am sorry to hear about your relapse, Stephen, don’t beat yourself down beat the addiction! It takes courage to admit you slipped and even more to come back and admitted it. Take care!
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