If you're searching this, part of you probably already has a feeling. A lot of people search this late at night after a bad loss, hoping the answer says they're fine.
Read the signs below slowly. Be honest with yourself, and count how many sound like you over the past year.
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The 9 signs of sports betting addiction
- You need bigger bets to feel the same rush. The $20 bet that used to get your heart going now feels like nothing.
- You get restless or irritable when you try to cut back. A night without a bet just feels wrong.
- You've tried to stop or cut back, and couldn't. Maybe you deleted the app and had it back on your phone a few days later.
- Betting is always on your mind. Lines, odds, your next parlay, the one you just lost.
- You bet when you're stressed, bored or down. Betting has turned into the way you handle feelings.
- You chase your losses. After a loss, you bet again to get even, sometimes bigger.
- You lie about it. To your partner, your family or your friends, about how much, how often or where the money went.
- It's costing you something important. A relationship, your job, school, or the trust of people you love.
- Other people have had to bail you out. You've borrowed money, or asked someone to cover losses or bills.
What your count means
These signs line up closely with what clinicians look at when they assess gambling problems. If four or more have been true for you in the past year, that's a strong reason to talk to someone, like the helpline or a counselor who specializes in gambling. Only a professional can diagnose a gambling disorder. You don't need a diagnosis to decide something has to change.
If you counted one, two or three, take it seriously anyway. Nobody wakes up one morning with a problem. It builds, one parlay and one excuse at a time.
Why sports betting hooks so many people
Sports betting feels like skill. You know the teams and you watch the games, so a loss feels like bad luck instead of a pattern. Then parlays dangle huge payouts that almost never hit, and live betting hands you a new bet every few minutes. Put all of that on the phone in your pocket and you can see how fast it gets out of hand.
FAQ
Can you really be addicted to sports betting?
Yes. Gambling disorder is a recognized diagnosis, and sports betting is gambling. Read Is Sports Betting Addiction Real? for what the research says.
How many signs mean I have a problem?
If four or more of these signs have been true for you in the past year, that's a strong reason to talk to the helpline or a gambling-specialized counselor. Only a professional can diagnose a gambling disorder, but you don't need a diagnosis to decide to change.
What should I do if I think I'm addicted?
Start with the first 24 hours, block the apps, and tell one person. You can also call or text the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-MY-RESET.
Get your recovery plan
Answer a few quick questions about your betting. You'll get an honest read on what's driving it and what to do this week.
Start my planIf you recognized yourself in these signs
That can feel heavy. Seeing it clearly is also the first honest step, and that counts for more than you think. Start with the first 24 hours, and tell one person. You don't have to do this alone.
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