Gambling Addiction & Recovery Support Group
Compulsive gambling is an urge or addiction to gamble despite harmful negative consequences or a desire to stop. A preferred term among many professionals is problem gambling, as few people described by the term experience true compulsions in the clinical sense of the word. Problem gambling often is defined by whether harm is experienced by the gambler or others rather...
I finally banned myself from the casino on June 9th, 2014.
Best thing I ever did ! There have been multiple occasions since then that I would have been there had I been 'allowed' to. Its hard to describe but there is an overwhelming comfort in knowing that I have removed the option of gambling in casinos from my life.
For those who are curious about how it works, I would like to explain how it worked for me.
On Monday, June 9th, I went to work and spent the day making my plan, which I later executed exactly as I imagined.
Upon arriving at the casino around 6pm, in a somewhat robotic like state of mind, I seeked out my favorite machine with $60 in hand. I figured this was enough to play long enough to have 2 glasses of 'free' wine. For the first time in years, I was not tense or angry or depressed when the $60 was gone. Goal one was achieved. I had my two glasses of liquid courage and then headed up to the Diamond Club for my last 'free' dinner.
Upon finishing dinner I walked to the exit of the casino where the security guards stand greeting gamblers coming in or leaving. I eyed them up and decided on which one seemed the most compassionate. Turns out I made a good choice. I asked the guard what the procedure was to ban myself from the casino. I had been so calm and methodical in my movements up until that moment. The second those words came out of my mouth I became very emotional and started crying. Never expected that to happen, but there I was crying like a baby. Immediately, the security guard said "My name is Kevin and its going to be okay. You are making a very wise decision today. Can I give you a hug ?". Of course I accepted! Kevin then radioed to a casino executive that he had someone with him who wanted to self ban.
It was at this point that I had my only really negative experience during the process. One of the other older security guards at the entrance kept radioing over and over again, "I have someone here who wants to ban. Please come to the entrance, I have someone here who wants to ban". He seemed very anxious and impatient and kept telling me to "just stay right there, don't go anywhere", like I was going to make a sudden run for it or start making a scene. I wasn't really sure what his point was but it was a little uncomfortable.
Pretty quickly a casino executive appeared and asked me to follow him. We walked to the Gaming Commission Office entrance and he asked me to have a seat, which i did. He went inside and got a Gaming Officer to come out and greet me. I then had to answer a series of questions to ensure I understood what I was doing, understood what banning was exactly, what the consequences were if I came back to gamble after banning, etc.
I had the option of 1 yr, 3 yr, 5 yr, or life (I think). I chose 1 yr, but unless you UNban yourself after that 1 yr, you continue to be banned until you notify them otherwise.
I also had the option of just being banned from Caesar Casino properties (I was at Harrahs) or I could also add in ALL casinos in Pennsylvania. This was a big bonus for me because I thought I was going to have to go to each casino in my area, which I was not looking forward to. I chose all Caesars casinos worldwide as well as all PA casinos.
I signed a bunch of papers, got copies of all the questionnaires (and answers I gave) and had my picture taken, which would be sent to all the casinos mentioned above.
It probably took about 35-40 minutes, but it went quickly. At this point they called a security guard back to where we were and he was asked to walk me to my car. That part was a little strange to me as well because the guy walked me RIGHT to the car. He was nice though.
It was a very emotional, but VERY relief filled, ride home. There was no one I thought I could call and tell and so I just cried and drove. It was the best drive home from the casino ever !!
I apologize for the lengthy post, but I always wondered how the banning process worked, and how it felt, and I could never find anything really descriptive about it. I guess if you made it to this point in my writing, maybe it was worth it. I hope it helps even one person.
In short, banning was easy, it is SO great knowing its not a decision anymore whether to go or not, and I am grateful EVERY day that I did it. I highly recommend it. The relief is indescribable. And for the first time in years, I have money in my wallet. I still have plenty of debt to crawl out from under, but its really cool having money on me for when I need something. I haven't been able to have more than $5 on me for a very long time. Hard to explain, but I'm sure some of you know.
Thanks to everyone for all you do here. I appreciate you all very much.
DarlingD
Best thing I ever did ! There have been multiple occasions since then that I would have been there had I been 'allowed' to. Its hard to describe but there is an overwhelming comfort in knowing that I have removed the option of gambling in casinos from my life.
For those who are curious about how it works, I would like to explain how it worked for me.
On Monday, June 9th, I went to work and spent the day making my plan, which I later executed exactly as I imagined.
Upon arriving at the casino around 6pm, in a somewhat robotic like state of mind, I seeked out my favorite machine with $60 in hand. I figured this was enough to play long enough to have 2 glasses of 'free' wine. For the first time in years, I was not tense or angry or depressed when the $60 was gone. Goal one was achieved. I had my two glasses of liquid courage and then headed up to the Diamond Club for my last 'free' dinner.
Upon finishing dinner I walked to the exit of the casino where the security guards stand greeting gamblers coming in or leaving. I eyed them up and decided on which one seemed the most compassionate. Turns out I made a good choice. I asked the guard what the procedure was to ban myself from the casino. I had been so calm and methodical in my movements up until that moment. The second those words came out of my mouth I became very emotional and started crying. Never expected that to happen, but there I was crying like a baby. Immediately, the security guard said "My name is Kevin and its going to be okay. You are making a very wise decision today. Can I give you a hug ?". Of course I accepted! Kevin then radioed to a casino executive that he had someone with him who wanted to self ban.
It was at this point that I had my only really negative experience during the process. One of the other older security guards at the entrance kept radioing over and over again, "I have someone here who wants to ban. Please come to the entrance, I have someone here who wants to ban". He seemed very anxious and impatient and kept telling me to "just stay right there, don't go anywhere", like I was going to make a sudden run for it or start making a scene. I wasn't really sure what his point was but it was a little uncomfortable.
Pretty quickly a casino executive appeared and asked me to follow him. We walked to the Gaming Commission Office entrance and he asked me to have a seat, which i did. He went inside and got a Gaming Officer to come out and greet me. I then had to answer a series of questions to ensure I understood what I was doing, understood what banning was exactly, what the consequences were if I came back to gamble after banning, etc.
I had the option of 1 yr, 3 yr, 5 yr, or life (I think). I chose 1 yr, but unless you UNban yourself after that 1 yr, you continue to be banned until you notify them otherwise.
I also had the option of just being banned from Caesar Casino properties (I was at Harrahs) or I could also add in ALL casinos in Pennsylvania. This was a big bonus for me because I thought I was going to have to go to each casino in my area, which I was not looking forward to. I chose all Caesars casinos worldwide as well as all PA casinos.
I signed a bunch of papers, got copies of all the questionnaires (and answers I gave) and had my picture taken, which would be sent to all the casinos mentioned above.
It probably took about 35-40 minutes, but it went quickly. At this point they called a security guard back to where we were and he was asked to walk me to my car. That part was a little strange to me as well because the guy walked me RIGHT to the car. He was nice though.
It was a very emotional, but VERY relief filled, ride home. There was no one I thought I could call and tell and so I just cried and drove. It was the best drive home from the casino ever !!
I apologize for the lengthy post, but I always wondered how the banning process worked, and how it felt, and I could never find anything really descriptive about it. I guess if you made it to this point in my writing, maybe it was worth it. I hope it helps even one person.
In short, banning was easy, it is SO great knowing its not a decision anymore whether to go or not, and I am grateful EVERY day that I did it. I highly recommend it. The relief is indescribable. And for the first time in years, I have money in my wallet. I still have plenty of debt to crawl out from under, but its really cool having money on me for when I need something. I haven't been able to have more than $5 on me for a very long time. Hard to explain, but I'm sure some of you know.
Thanks to everyone for all you do here. I appreciate you all very much.
DarlingD
i def think that security thought you were gonna bolt, im sure it happens alot, that took major courage!!
xxoo god speed
Here'e to a GF life One Day At A Time.
John
I wish you all a peaceful, relaxing, productive, well deserved gamble free day. DarlingD
Congratulations! I banned shortly after my last day of gambling (January 20, 2014). If I had to pick the most effective weapon in my arsenal against this disease, it would be exclusion. I am also from PA and I know they enforce it. It is not a cure-all, but it will give you some room to breathe and get a handle on this problem.
Just be careful and have a plan in place when the year is up, because you can go back. I picked the lifetime ban so there is no going back for me. I know for a fact that I will never, ever be able to gamble responsibly so there is no point in pretending I will be able to go back to it. Nor do I want to! If I ever become tempted, I will remember:
Tear-filled drives home after gambling my entire paycheck away.
The looks on the faces of those gamblers around me - empty stares and despair.
Constant worry over money.
Feelings of worthlessness.
A lack of desire to do anything else BUT gamble.
No hope for the future.
To anyone who is considering it, please give yourself this gift. The process is very much life the OP describes. Everyone I encountered when I excluded could not have been nicer to me. More than one casino worker assured me that I was doing the right thing.
Stay strong!
I myself is banned for 3 years, the whole province of BC, Canada :)
It is worth it..
God continue to guide you and give you strength and peace of mind..
Hugs..
Charm