When to Take a Hiatus from Sports Betting

When it’s Time to Take a Break from Mobile Betting on Sports

As a society, we’ve been betting on athletic competitions for, well… for as long as there have been athletic competitions. Everything from club-wielding cavemen, to the gladiators of ancient Rome, has surely been worthy of a wager. In those days, it was a form of entertainment, enhanced by a little extra action. That’s still true today, for the most part. But the availability of betting has spread so drastically, the potential for problematic behavior is at an all-time high.

We’re not just sitting on our buddy’s couch, betting twenty bucks on game day. Now, we have access to every bet, on every game, in every major country around the globe. We can bet on the outcome of a one game, multiple games, or the events that take place within a game as it’s happening. There’s so much available to us, it’s easy to get swept up in the moment, especially now that every wager can be placed with a few taps of a finger on a smartphone or tablet.

They key to keeping your mobile betting habits in check is to remain fully aware of how much your betting, winning, and losing, at all times. Set a responsible budget, and never bet more than you can afford. If you like betting on a variety of things in a short period of time, make smaller wagers that won’t put too much of a dent in your bankroll.

This is all common sense knowledge, but again, it can be easy to lose sight of things when sports betting is in the palm of our hands. With that in mind, here are 5 signs that you may need to…

Take a Break from Mobile Betting on Sports

If you’re rolling your eyes already, please bear in mind that this list is not meant to stop you from having a good time. It’s meant to protect you, your financial status, and your relationships with friends and family. If you believe you may have a problem, or be at risk for developing one, please do not hesitate to contact 1-800-GAMBLER, or visit Gamblers Anonymous to learn more.

#1 Gambling is Having an Impact on Your “Real Life”

Gambling should be a form of entertainment. Once it’s no longer fun – when it’s adding stress and anxiety, rather than entertainment value, to your sports viewership – that’s the first sign that there’ a problem. If losing a bet (or series of bets) changes your budget for the upcoming week, it’s impacting your “real life” decisions.

If you wager $5 on a game and lose, it’s not going to break your bank, therefore should not be cause for stress. However, if you’re stressing over your bets, you’re wagering too much, and deep down, you know it.

Borrowing money off someone to bet, then avoiding them because you can’t afford to pay it back – this is another form of gambling having an impact on your life. If you have to make any life decision based around your gambling, a break should be in order.

#2 You Hide Your Gambling from Loved Ones

The moment you start hiding the fact that you’re gambling from the people you love, is the moment you’ve developed shame for it. It’s either because they’ve already try to tell you there’s a problem, and you ignored them, or because you know deep down that there’s a problem, and you don’t want others to know it, too.

Are you the type to cheer extra hard in front of friends and family for the team you bet on, or have you become extra careful not to cheer too hard so they don’t figure out you’ve got money riding on it? Think about that for a moment, and let it sink it. One scenario means you’re still having fun. The other is a sign there’s a problem.

#3 You’re Losing Bet After Bet

Every gambler experiences downswings. It doesn’t matter if you’re having fun or betting compulsively. These things happen. The best thing to do when money is funneling out of your pocket is take a break. The worst thing to do is increase your bets in hopes of winning it back. Doubling up might work some of the time, but walking away works every time.

#4 You’re Betting Just to Bet

Sports bettors start out wagering on the sports they love most. Professionals might branch out into sports they feel are easier to win bets on; (with the right knowledge and strategy, of course). But when you’re betting just to place a bet – just because you feel better knowing you have action on something – that’s not a good sign.

A responsible gambler is one who only places wagers on the things they have a good bit of knowledge about. An avid football fan who knows the rules, and the basic proficiency of the current teams and athletes, will not only have better odds of winning their bets, they’ll also get more entertainment value out of watching the action unfold. On the opposite end of that spectrum, someone who’s betting on Aussie Rules Football (Rugby) without understanding the rules of the game is just betting to bet.

#5 Your Finances Are Hurting Because of Losses

Are you falling behind on bills? Did you miss a mortgage payment or a car note? If your gambling losses are causing you to fall behind on payments, you’ve already made some bad decisions. It’s not just time to take a break. You need to stop gambling and rethink your priorities.

If you can take at least a month-long hiatus from mobile betting on sports without any anxiety or withdraws, it’s not too late for you. Once you get your finances back on track, and can set aside extra money to wager in a more responsible manner, then you should be fine. If, on the other hand, you find that stopping is difficult, it’s a clear sign that it’s time to get help.

Do not let this behavior go on so long that you become that person that says, “I can stop anytime”, but never does.