MAKE THE BOOKIES SUFFER

Why not look after yourself first and then if you have the energy or need fight the "enemy"? I have watched my son battle this addiction for years and can honestly say I don't think he would be in recovery if he was giving precious time and energy to reforming the gambling industry. One has nothing to do with the other.

Yes I do understand what Alan 135 and SwordFish are saying. You can state that nobody is frogmarching us back to the cash dispenser or forcing us to stand at a machine.

Everyone is welcome on this forum so Im probably sounding harsh

I still think its an unhealthy process set up for maximum temptation so why would anybody be surprised at the addiction and misery it causes. Its a process that plays on the darker and more confused side of human nature. I feel it naturally becomes a problem for many people as it can only go that way when control breaks down. Its a process designed to break down control.

I dont want to sound too geeky but alchohol is a toxin and its so ingrained within our society.

Gambling is also deregulated and I wonder what can be done. I cant stop people from gambling but I like to help when they are ready to admit its become a problem

I do accept enough of the responsibility. Im calm in full recovery. Im not going to be able to fight the gambling industry and I dont get worked up about that. Thats not what this is about. I need to remain focused and calm.

I have to accept the gambling industry is there but I dont want or need it in my life

Half-Life wrote:

I don't think there's any doubt the vast majority of the bookies bloated profits come from problem gamblers rather than those who pop in for a coffee, a sit and a fiver on the nags.

CG's are of course ultimately responsible for their behaviour and choices but absolving the industry (who let's not forget invest heavily in developing addictive technology in their machines and games) and the government from all blame in today's deregulated climate is disingenuous.

Yes I fully agree with this. I am clear about my view and Im not going to backtrack anymore to placate people.

The industry invest heavily to create highly addictive technology. The government know it creates lots of tax money.

These are the major problems and is anyone surprised its creating addicts. In a capitalist society there are enough people making a quick buck from the misery of others The trail of destruction I see is horrible and thats just the people with the courage and final resolve to join the forum.

I dont buy that we were 100% responsible. I just dont because that would be to ignore that gambling by its very nature becomes addictive to many people. Saying that would be to ignore all the R&D that the gambling industry put into maximum addiction and temptation

My name is Alan and I'm a Compulsive gambler who like many people on here accept responsibility for my actions , I gambled because I enjoyed it , even though the odds as I knew at the beginning were stacked well against me , I lost money on a daily basis but still kept gambling until it was all gone , this was due to me suffering from a lack of willpower and a greed for money that I thought would solve life's problems, I stopped gambling when it became obvious that my compulsion was costing me Time with my loved ones , my health , wealth and my happiness .

Through my own choice " I will not gamble today "

Alan I echo you! This thread really should be removed! It serves no purpose or inspiration to anyone other than people trying to blame something else for their own actions.

Hi Swordfish , I really don't have any issue with people arguing the toss but to keep blaming an industry for what you and I choose to do just makes no sense , every business advertise , promote and suck you in with offer's , nothing's for nothing in this world and we all paid up willingly. Time to man up guy's , have a rummage around and find a pair and accept " It was me " !!!

As you said earlier Alan... Do fat people blame McDonalds or kfc? Do alcoholics want all pubs, off licenses and even supermarkets who sell alcohol s**t down?

My concern is purely around the impact it has on kids to wear shirts with betting companies on, t have commentators discuss odds, for all the boarding to be gambling related, for every advert to entice gambling... I am certain it will be affecting kids. I didn't see all that as a child because it didn't exist and I still couldn't control it. I'm not trying to pass my issues as someone else's fault as I agree with Alan. I'm highlighting this a problem for the future. I think it will be a big problem as is been too normalised.

Hi change I do understand the concerns and the government are aware of the issues if I could show everyone the amount of paperwork I have to do regarding gambling commission everyday you would all be shocked! Every time someone mentions or looks distressed we have to report it. We are no longer allowed to advertise machines in front of shop windows. The spin limits are down from 100 to 50 unless the customer wants authorisation to spin higher which means more paperwork... As for kids wearing football shirts with gambling logos on the front that actually is against the law for example my team crystal palace is sponsored by mansion (a casino site) my daughters palace shirt does not have that on. It is replaced by a charity as with all football teams.

Have a good day people and stay gamble free

Thanks swordfish... that's good re the shirts. Similar to what I think happened with alcohol sponsors. I just get concerned about how often gambling is discussed in the mainstream nowadays. Think brought on more by having my first child and being petrified he could go down the same path as me. I don't have anything against bookies at all.

The reason I suggested it be deleted is because believe it or not it is people's livelihoods like myself who has a family to pay for and I've got people like you saying you loathe it.

Just an opinion

And that really will be my final input on this thread as it is starting to take away my enjoyment of this forum and my recovery. I will no longer read it. Everyone can carry on blaming the industry if thy wish

Don't shoot the guy who delivers what you ordered , he's only doing what his job dictates and bringing it to your door !

Stay safe people !!

wow just come across this its very heated.... I think we need to to take a step back and look at addiction in general.

booze - certain high street pubs that opens at 7 is that for someone poping in for a social drink is that right??? Happymeals being £2.50 is that right?? high street shopping store cards with limits of £4000 being offered to people on 20 k a year? Cigarettes. gambling diazipan glue ..... You could go on and on and on. You as a person are wired sadly to have an addiction my friends gamble responsibly. but he had a drink and he goes missing for days. i have a few drinks and chill out go home i go into a bookies and i turn into a lunatic. these industries contribute to our economy they provide jobs and look after families. we have all been burned due to gambling but turning on the people who work for these places is not the answer. I personally think that fobt machines should be banned thats my addiction. should we ban vodka because if my friend drinks it he does serious damage???? we are all on this website to support one another!

Bookies aren't what they used to be..
There set for maximum profit
There not a community hub they make them selves out to be
I agree with the majority it's our choice to go in.
But that's all I agree on. Say you go in for a football coupon
Do you want some free spins on the machine, lotto tickets,
Do you want this and that. It's worse than subway
It's typical of the gambling industry to push the blame back on the punter
I've often seen the staff laughing as some one storm's out then
Telling there regulars including me how much the person just lost
There are bad apples in every business. But vice versa you can't speak for every bookie by saying there saints. It's a business based on maximum profit