Betting has many more risks than just the risk of losing
money. You will spend a lot of time shopping for the best prices, analyzing
various teams and building the best accumulators. But the most important risk
is that of addiction. Betting is quite addictive once you get going. You will
constantly find yourself chasing money, competing against bookmakers and trying
to get an edge over them, waiting until the last minute of every match to see
if you bet wins, and looking to try another bet should you win. There is a
thrill and a rush involved, but you may also get desperate when in a losing streak
and trying to get yourself out of financial problems.
High risk of addiction
The risk of addiction is quite high in sports betting. While
it is a legal pastime that is easy to access and which you are more likely to
engage in if you follow sports constantly, the massive promotions and media
advertisement of various games may also influence you to bet even when you
don’t want to. If you approach betting as fun, you are more likely to get
addicted quickly. Since betting is so
easy and almost every person may be tempted to think he can beat the odds, it
can quickly become addictive. This is why betting should be approached with
care, caution and will power, so you can always have control over your betting
habits.
What is betting addiction?
Betting addiction occurs when a person unquestionably
believes that he/she has all the answers to betting, thinks he/she has a
foolproof betting system for beating the odds, and believes he/she can rely on
betting as an unwavering source of income. Addiction occurs when reality has
been put aside and there is belief that betting can solve all financial
problems. Addicted punters can go for a few days without betting, keep asking
for money a lot of times to use for betting activities, and may even behave
irrationally when they can’t have access to betting. You may be addicted
whether or not you have enough money to use in betting. As long as betting has
become so compulsive that you can’t go without it, you are addicted.
Studies have shown that adolescents are at greater risk of
betting addiction than adults and that more than half of compulsive bettors
will commit crimes in order to get money to pay for their gambling debts.
The most common signs of betting addiction are:
(a) Unhealthy
preoccupation with betting
(b) Impatience and
irritability when trying to quit betting
(c) Lying about the
extent of your betting activities
(d) Needing to
place increasingly huge wagers to enjoy the rush
(e) Trying to
recoup losses with more gambling
(f) Seeking
financial assistance from friends and family to support betting activities
Betting addicts may also become moody and irritable when
they can’t get what they want. When they lose bets, they may become desperate
and experience withdrawal symptoms. Most critically, betting addiction can lead
to greater problems such as relationship strains, financial hardship, and
putting job and home at risk. There is also a risk of turning into crime such
as stealing from family and friends in order to fund betting activities.
How is betting addiction treated?
Bookmakers usually post information on betting addiction
support and treatment on their sites. Check out the sites for contacts of those
offering advice, counseling and treatment and how to stay in control. Also
check online for available resources to help you control spending and reduce
the risk of addiction. Behavioral therapy may help you to overcome the adverse
effects of betting addiction such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety and
other problems. When you suspect that you are addicted, talk to someone. Speak
with a friend or family member about your addiction and find a place to get
confidential help.