Hi there ARB90.
A lot of your story resonates with me. As a horse racing and sports punter, I also used to spend time at University punting instead of studying. It took me 7 years to finally get a degree. I’m now in my 30s and have had long periods of being gamble free (1 even being about 2 years) but have always snuck back in.
Part of the issue is that I love sport. I pretty much watch anything. The problem is that there is a constant associate with odds to do with sport. I usually can’t watch something without seeing either a gambling advertisement, and/or an analysis of the odds. At sporting venues, there is access to gamble everywhere. It’s become really difficult to separate the two.
I love to analyse matches, and because I know the different types of markets (line, handicap, points etc) I often think about it while watching. I’m also pretty good and knowing what they will be without even seeing the odds.
That’s definitely the challenge for me. I’m 6 days clean and determined to not go back.
I look forward to following your progress!