Like a fire extinguisher or first aid kit, responsible gambling resources are often overlooked or unappreciated until they’re needed in a crisis. However, unlike those pieces of safety equipment, many responsible gambling resources can be used proactively like a seatbelt or helmet to prevent trouble.
This article will review some of the proactive and reactive resources you can use to help wager on sports responsibly. Below you’ll find several helpful tools including questions to determine if you might have a gambling addiction, and a list of resources to lean on if you need help.
As with life safety equipment, these resources are only helpful if you choose to use them, so keep them in mind and remember there is no shame in asking for help.
What is Responsible Gambling?
Because the feel-good chemical dopamine is released in the brain while gambling, betting on sports can be addictive and destructive to some people in a similar way that drugs are. If you’re new to gambling, it’s possible you are susceptible to gambling addiction and are unaware of it.
Remember, gambling should be leisurely and entertaining, so if sports betting starts to feel extremely stressful or regretful, these are red flags you should take seriously. While social media is seemingly flooded with sports betting experts living lavish lifestyles from gambling, the reality is that it’s extremely difficult to make a career out of sports betting. Just because you have a hot week or month, doesn’t mean you’ll be able to sustain long-term profits.
If you’re on the fence and not sure if you have a gambling problem or not, it’s best to err on the side of caution and seek help.
Responsible Gambling Checklist
Asking yourself the questions below, and taking a few moments to truly reflect on the answers, can be useful to determining if you should take a break and seek additional resources. Reflecting on these questions with the help of a therapist is even better.
- Are you able to stop gambling when you want to? Have you tried to quit before?
- How much time and money do you put toward gambling?
- What’s your main motivation behind gambling?
- Do you manage your bankroll and track your betting funds?
- How do you feel when you lose bets? Do you have mood swings?
- Do you chase losses?
- Have you passed up real-life responsibilities and opportunities for gambling?
- How does your gambling impact your loved ones?
- Do you impulsively make bets that you regret moments later?
- Have you gambled until your last dollar was gone?
- Have you gambled longer than you planned?
- Have you felt depressed or suicidal because of gambling?
- Have you ever gambled to get money to meet a financial obligation?
- During the past year, do you find that smaller bets are less exciting than before?
- During the past year, have you placed bigger and bigger bets to experience excitement?
- Have you lied to a family member about how much you’ve gambled?
Responsible Betting Practices to Put in Place
Responsible betting habits aren’t just for those susceptible to or struggling with gambling addiction. Just as toothbrushes and dental floss help avoid cavities, good sports betting hygiene can also help keep you out of trouble. Remember to check in with yourself regularly, honestly examine your past gambling behavior and if you’re new to gambling, set limits (more on that below).
Consider bookmarking this page because even if you’re confident you’re not a problem gambler now, you or a friend might need the resources on this page in the future.
Remember, most online sportsbooks have a “responsible gambling” or “responsible gaming” page on its website. While this portion of the website may not be in a prominent location, it’s loaded with useful resources for those struggling, those not sure if they’re struggling and those who want to proactively put steps in place to avoid problem gambling.
Set Your Limits
Whether you’re a professional sports bettor or a newcomer, bankroll management is a crucial part of wagering. Proper bankroll management usually recommends betting around 3% of your budgeted gambling funds and this advice helps ensure that a cold streak won’t wipe you out and also helps you gamble within your means. Avoid betting advice that encourages you to chase losses (“Martingale Betting System”) and always set limits. Setting limits is key because gambling can become very emotionally charged and we aren’t always thinking rationally or logically when emotions are high.
Most sportsbooks have features that allow you to limit the amount of money you can wager in a given time period on an individual bet. For instance you can make sure your sportsbook doesn’t allow you to bet over $1,000 in a given week or more than $200 on any one wager. Sportsbooks will also often allow you to limit how much time you spend on their site and how much you’re allowed to deposit. These limits are great to put in place proactively to avoid spending too much time or money gambling, and can also be used if you’re struggling to limit yourself.
Timeouts and Self-Exclusion
Timeouts and self-exclusion are ways to help stop yourself from visiting gambling websites for a certain amount of time. These options are especially helpful if you’re struggling with impulsivity or find yourself being tempted to gamble.
When you put yourself on a self-exclusion list, you’re ensuring you won’t be able to login to the website and you won’t receive their marketing materials. When you sign up for self-exclusion, you’ll choose the length of time you want to be excluded and the website isn’t permitted to shorten your exclusion period for you.
A “timeout” is sometimes referred to by various sportsbooks as a “freeze” or “cool off period.” A timeout is very similar to self-exclusion, except it’s shorter (i.e. days or weeks).
Find Gambling Help
If you’re concerned about your betting habits, finding help quickly is vital. Sports betting isn’t for everyone and there’s nothing shameful about acknowledging it’s not for you. Since problem gambling can be destructive to your family, financial goals, and future success, you should seriously consider whether you want sports betting to be a part of your life.
Luckily, there are a lot of different ways to access help (phone call hotlines, text options, treatments, support groups etc.) if you decide it’s necessary.
USA Gambling Resources
1-800-GAMBLER
This national hotline is available 24 hours a day and 365 days a year in all 50 states. The services specializes in connecting potential problem gamblers, or concerned loved ones, with immediate support as well as local resources. If you call, a trained professional who specializes in helping individuals with gambling-related issues will answer the phone. Keep in mind, it’s not a crisis hotline for emergency services like 9-11.
Local Hotlines
Each state also has its own hotline to assist those struggling with problematic gambling behavior. Information for your specific state can be found via 1-800-GAMBLER, or the websites below.
Texting
The professionals at 1-800-GAMBLER are also available to assist you via text 24 hours a day and 365 days a year by texting 800GAM.
Websites
Gamblers Anonymous is free and there are never dues or fees. The only requirement for the organization is a desire to stop gambling. The website is your key to finding a supportive group of other people struggling with gambling in your area. You can input your zip code and schedule availability and the website will give you details for meetings available to you whether you want to meet in person or virtually.
This website is run by the National Council on Problem Gambling, the same organization behind the 1-800-Gambler hotline and 800GAM 24/7 text line. The website also offers an additional live chat option as well. The website also has a robust FAQ section and information on treatment options for problem gambling.
The International Center for Responsible Gambling is a research organization, but its website does have a few helpful resources. For instance, in its “For the Public” section you can find and brochure that’s useful for talking to children about gambling. It’s “Get Help” section has helpful links.
This website offers a live chat option whether you’re looking to quit gambling, reduce gambling, or are worried about a loved one’s gambling behavior. The help line is confidential and available in every language. The website also offers support forums (you’ll need to register as a member) and a full schedule of online support groups.
Bet Blocker offers a free app (no registration required) with a 2-minute setup that blocks gambling websites from your device to help with temptation. At this website you can learn more about the app and see if it’s right for you.
Canada Gambling Resources
Websites
The Responsible Gambling Council, a respected non-profit organization, has tips on its website for minimizing risk, information about the pitfalls of gambling, a gambling dictionary and a list of common gambling myths. The website also has a list of toll free gambling phone numbers and information about various treatment centers in Canada.
The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction has a section related to gambling that includes research related to the risks and harms of gambling. The website also features links to news articles about addiction and other addiction-related information like data and trends.
The Canada Safety Council features a list of 24/7 phone lines, labeled by location, at the bottom of its main page. The website also features a checklist of behaviors to helps determine if a family member has a gambling problem.
Bet Blocker offers a free app (no registration required) with a 2-minute setup that blocks gambling websites from your device. At this website you can learn more about the app and see if it’s right for you.