This sick hobby (warning--quitting gambling rant)

[MrVan]

Well, it's been fun, kind of, well not really.....

I have officially cut myself off from any future online casino deposits. The $900 profit I had earlier today turned into a $500 loss because of my complete lack of self control. I don't even know how it happened. I want my life back and the only way I'm going to get it is if I don't ever play slots again. I am glad some have you have managed better than me, but other than KasinoKing, aka23, and granny I highly doubt that there are many people out there are ahead overall. I am sorry to say that I now see gambling as a degenerate, time wasting hobby that perpetuates the idea that money buys you happiness. I wish I would have quit while I was ahead. I think everyone here could benefit from taking a good look at themselves and re-examining why they get pleasure out of tossing electronic money around all day. Recently I have been chasing my losses, but before that I enjoyed winning money online because then I didn't have to worry about anything in real life since I had extra money to have fun with. I was trying to avoid responsibility.

Gambling sucks. It takes all your money, wastes precious hours of life in this beautiful world, and leaves you feeling like crap. I'm sorry if this offends anyone but I hope all of you can find the strength to walk away and get your lives back. I know that not everyone loses lots of money and that some people keep strict limits on their gambling budgets, but I'm guessing that at least 90% of gamblers lose more money than they would like to lose, and to those people I wish you luck. If anyone has any kind words of encouragement I could really use them because I am feeling pretty crappy about myself right now.

[Austin49]

I hope the forum doesn't mind me providing this link: http://www.gamcare.org.uk/forum/index.php?f=23. A real eye opener for me.

I think we all reach our breaking point sooner or later. For the average person, this is not the best hobby to have. It really does suck the life out of you.

Mr. Van take a look at the link I provided, I hope it will help you. It has for me. I won't say good luck on quitting because luck has nothing to do with it. Take it day by day and put some safeguards in place to help you.

[Jeff]

Hi
same for me. I have to quit gambling. I lost so much money the last days, that I have nothing left for the last days this month for normal living.
So I have to go to my bank tomorrow and get a credit. Best would be to delete all casino software and stop online gambling for the rest of my life.

Hope to keep my self control for that.

Jeff

[spearmaster]

MrVan and Jeff -

Sorry to hear of your bad experiences. The link Austin49 provided is a good place to start - and my old site Got2Bet should also have a link to some compulsive gambling sites at the bottom of every page.

I recommend that everyone stick to a budget - especially important (like for me) - only leave what you need in your Neteller account for the month, and also ask them to disable your Instacash facility, which is cool if you can stay in control but if not can be a downward spiral (trust me I know).

Once you reach your budget, that's it. And every time you have a win, send most of it straight back to your bank account.

I wish you good luck in your future endeavours.

[BingoT]

Good Luck to ya MrVan Just hang in and better things in life are on it's way.
What you say may have other people thinking before they gamble again.
It's true we all say we will quit but we are all looking for that rainbow and no rainbow ever comes.
For control I say gamble what you can afford and that's it and always remember family comes first.
I wish you the very best.
I looked at that site that Austin49 posted and it's very good for all that can use the help.

Take care and better days are on the way.

And everyone as the time of giving is almost here I like to Wish you all the very best also

Happy Thanksgiving
And God Bless

Tom

[Tagdog]

To be honest the advice of sticking to your budget probably won't work for mr van, he's already admitted discipline problems.

I think cold turkey is the best, with the help of the gamecare and similar sites. He's both losing money and unhappy doing it, what's the point of coming back with a budget if it's stressful addiction and not enjoyable.

Good luck Mr Van and enjoy your time away from the computer

Tag

[Casinomeister]

Everyone who participates with online casinos/poker rooms needs to understand their own motivations and keep these impulses in check. Kudos for Mr.Van for bringing this topic up. Everyone here needs reminders that there is a real world out there.

If it's games that keeps you playing - check out the "for free" games that IGT and Leading egde designs make available. There are a number of really cool VP and Slot games here:

If this is the case, book mark these sites:
http://www.ledgaming.com/LED_Home/html/index.shtml
http://www.videopoker.com/

If it's money you're into, like Spear said - disable your Insta Cash at Neteller.

Another tip, turn off your computer and go take a walk. Get into the real world. If you have a family at home, go play monopoly or some other game where money is involved. You can take care of that "money" fix this way.

If playing online ever affects your relationships or makes a serious dent in your bank account. Stop doing it - period. Thunderstruck or online poker is not worth screwing up your life.

Here are a few links for reference if you feel you have a prob.:
http://www.ncpgambling.org/
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/
http://www.gamcare.org.uk/
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk/

Some good sources listed here:
http://rf-web.tamu.edu/security/SECGUIDE/Eap/Gamble.htm

Also, somewhere in the forum - there is a link to a site that offers a service to block all gambling related websites from your computer. If anyone can dig that up, that would be great.

[Austin49]

That would be www.gamblock.com. From what I have read, this program is probably the best of what's out there.

[mucullus]

Originally Posted by Casinomeister

Also, somewhere in the forum - there is a link to a site that offers a service to block all gambling related websites from your computer. If anyone can dig that up, that would be great.

http://www.gamblock.com/

[ballysdb]

I am also a compulsive gambler. I have to admit that when casinos started to lock my accounts because of the new law I felt pretty good. It felt like someone was going to stop me because I knew I couldn't stop myself. I received an inheritance this past January and I wasn't working. Obviously I was able to stay home and gamble ALOT. Needless to say, I blew through half the money by gambling. When the money was gone and I needed to get a job I found that the urge to gamble was quite diminished. I think it was because I now had a job in a big company where I was involved with a lot of people and I had a lot of stimulation in my life. I think sitting in front of a computer keeps you from a "real" life. I feel I am being satisfied by other thing now such as making money, a career, and even some romance. This post is really directed towards those of us who really do have a problem. Please understand I mean no offense to those who can deposit $20 and play for an hour and then STOP. I cannot do this. If I have the funds available I will gamble until it is gone. I do not enjoy playing for "fun money" if I know I can't play for real someday. It just doesn't cut it. Maybe some of us have to go cold turkey but maybe if you have alot of things to "fill" you up in life, the gambling could become just something you do occassionaly. I don't know if this helps but it's the best advice I can give. God Bless, Debbie