While it may appear that way from the outside looking in, but no one, absolutely NO ONE, wins all the time. Anyone that "plays all the time" is not ahead, you can almost guarantee that. Even if they say they are ahead. (Maybe for that day, that hour, never overall, unless they won with their first bet and never played again, which is rare as hens teeth. Your strength to get through all the temptations in your workplace, I am not sure I could work around them and stay off of them. Part of my early strategy was to not go to places that had any form of gambling. Now after over 2 years of abstinence it does not bother me to go to a social event at a place where there is gambling. I do not think I would be able to resist if I was constantly exposed to lottery/poker on a daily, 8 hours a day, basis. It is addicting even to watch other people gamble, the dopamine and adrenaline will get going for me just looking at the reels going around. I would have to look for a different job. I would also block the messages from the poker group, depends on the phone and your provider as to how to do that and how easy or hard it is to do.
Playing with grandson is a great thing to do, as it is time well invested, it feels better than gambling, and you care more about him than gambling. He is the kind of reason that can help us quit gambling, a reason to live and live a good life.
I can sense that your life is improving and that this tough day not gambling was way better than your best day gambling.
Hang in there, you are doing what needs to be done to not gamble. Hugs and prayers.

the urges are fast and furious, if you can force your mind to get you thru it - you will be ok...I remember that panic, out of control, OMG here it comes, i dont have the strength to block it...but for every bad decision it got me closer to the bottom, which for whatever reason God put me there (i have my theories :).....it got me to realize that i cannot gamble normally. and it will kill me, unless I kill it...

I have had no contact with any of my poker game players for years and I intend for it to stay that way. All I need is for a phone call about a game in a weak moment, no thanks. Quit is right,you have to put up barriers and walls to protect yourself. Forget about anyone staying ahead playing those silly machines. I would rather watch grass grow but I understand they can be highly addictive. Believe me, no one but no one could be ahead of those. They are rigged to lose much like a carney game, no chance. Tough time of year for me also, with the playoff games and a huge poker tournament here in the south. Some days I want to play so bad I could scream and others days it is so easy to ignore. But I know me and if I go back it will be non- stop action till I drop or can not take it any longer. I sure will not be gambling for the money,never have. Just a excuse to keep playing.God Bless