I am the parent of a gambler, or hopefully to be ex-gambler, and it is times like the Euros football tournament that puts me on edge. I worry about the temptation of all the betting advertising being thrown in peoples' faces and the pub gatherings and celebrations that go with it. As many of you will have experienced - alcohol is the worst thing to spur on gambling and watching others putting bets on is a poisonous concotion for a gambling addict. I know that putting money on the football with a few pints under their belts seems to be the first time many of our gamblers on here have started off their problem. I really hope that everyone who has come on here to recover will be able to watch the football and enjoy it without worrying about the consequences of betting. In our case I think the Euros will be a test of willpower and if we can get through this football competition gamble-free and unscathed it will be a big stepping stone in the recovery process.
So all of you in recovery - enjoy the football but don't let the gambling companies/sites get the better of you -just say "No".
Hi Gamparentanon, great thread, thanks for the support, I have got the urges this morning but I am saying no and will continue to say no, I know if I can get past the Euros it can only get easier.
It's a football tournament that a lot of us are passionate about which is fine but as recovering compulsives gamblers do we really want to bet on the outcome? I'm half Welsh and half English so I want both teams to do well (especially England!) I have no desire to physically bet on any matches but yeah mentally I know who I want to win. I keep on getting emails from a f***g company offering me this or that but it doesn't tempt me. All I'm saying that as a big football fan I know who I want to win the tournament but as for wasting my money on it and messing my head up again.....no way. I can still enjoy the games but one day at a time no betting and I thank whatever higher power there is, my own courage and this forum for helping me. One day at a time my friends is my philosophy. Enjoy the game! Phil
I posted this on my diary the other day but thought it belonged on this thread.
Well the Euro’s is upon us, I have noticed a few concerns around the forum and chat and people not looking forward to it.
Thant’s not the case for me, I cant wait for it to start.
I used to be a big sports better and football was my main choice, I have had a bet at every tournaments since the last time a major championship was in France in 98. In previous years I would have been building up to this and actually saving money to gamble with once the tournament started. Strange for a compulsive gamble that I could abstain in the weeks leading up to it but once it started I was bang at it.
I would have a bet on every game, doubles and trebles, FGS, corners, over/unders. As the saying goes throw enough ****** at it something will stick.
Yes I had a few good wins and yes I had just as many bad losses. At the time I never remembered the losses just the wins that’s dot the case now. Did I go and book a nice holiday with any of my wins or even buy a nice bunch of flowers for the ex, don’t be silly, the winnings where never my money just gambling tokens till it was lost. I remember England winning games and I should have been celebrating let’s face it we don’t win many, instead I would be down and p*s sed off because we didn’t get that one corner I was waiting for or Rooney scored second instead of first.
I would make excuses to friends why I was watching it at home and not in the pub with my mates, things like I like to watch the game and get to distracted in the pub, let’s be honest all my money was invested, (lol invested you do have to laugh at the way our mind worked).
This time I’m looking forward to watching every game with no added pressure on the outcome just watching it for the sport it was invented for no cursing if Dickenov from Russia concedes a penalty in the last minute.
Its also going to be nice being single for the tournament no compromise over what game to watch, no arguments if id like to go and watch a game in the pub.
I tacking this different I really struggled with Cheltenham but this time I’m going to meet it head on and not try and avoid it and enjoy it, let’s be honest I’ve got more blocks in place than a jumbo box of Lego, I have to trust them they are there for a reason to give me time to think, and I’m confident not complacent with that thinking time and the knowledge if have gleamed from here and GA if I did come close to a bet I would make that the right choice.
KTF
Great post KTF, I can mirror that entire post, nice to know someone else is in the same boat, floating towards a better place, I'm going to watch all three games today, normally would have doubles/trebles etc. But I am just enjoying the tournament, the passion, the goals, the last ditch clearances. I watched England with my mates last night and it was a nice experience, normally I'd be in my bedroom infront on my tv alone praying someone scores first and I get the correct score.
Keep up the good work, we can do this 🙂
Phil 72. I had a great piece of advice a few days ago. I've self excluded but also was advised to change my email address. Stops all offers from companies coming through. Too good not to share. One day at a time.
The problem is that I work as a freelance journalist and I have had that email address for 15 years. I would have to tell a lot of people my new address - but I guess it would be worth it. I don't even know HOW this particular company B-Fair got my address as I never bet with them.
As in Bet!
gamparentanon wrote:
I am the parent of a gambler... I worry about the temptation of all the betting advertising being thrown in peoples' faces and the pub gatherings and celebrations that go with it.
That's a very good and valid reason to be worried.
gamparentanon wrote: So all of you in recovery - enjoy the football but don't let the gambling companies/sites get the better of you -just say "No".
Just say "No" to all those ads or emails sent out the gamblers/ex-gamblers suggesting to bet on England to win the Euro at these or these odds?
You expressed why you're worried for a good reason and I agree with you, however just calling people to say "No" doesn't sound to me like we're in a fair ground. For an addict just a small trigger is all it takes to make him bet, doesn't seem like there is any regulation on pulling those triggers.
DWG - on your thread which is longer than War and Peace people have emphasised over and over again that yes the industry is sneaky and insidious but there is also the issue of personal responsibility - self-exclusion from shops and websites, listening to good advice, going to GA if you think that will help, changing one's mindset, handing over responsibility for finances, being open and honest etc. If you have all the measures in place you won't gamble. I haven't gambled for four months and one day at a time the journey continues. I used to gamble on practically EVERY race in EVERY meeting.
It is about time gambling companies were banned from advertising on TVs/radio imo or at least make it harder to sign up ie have to scan and send photo ID and have details verified before you can have a bet. Sign up offers should also be banned.
As for the Euro's it's been great so far some good close games. I've taken 2 week off to watch all the games. No urge to bet at all. I've had a go on predictor game to win a signed Gazza shirt that's enough for me.
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