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Before we get too far into this topic, we want to make this EXTREMELY clear. The suggestions below from different addiction and gambling recovery organizations are all valid safer gambling tips and suggestions. These best practices are very good suggestions for safer gambling. However, we at Gamepick want to start a new dialogue on revolutionary ways to support sports gamblers.
According to Responsiblegambling.org, “There’s an inherent built-in risk when it comes to gambling and odds are, over time, you will lose more often than you win.”
They offer the following suggestions to play safer:
- Don’t gamble when you’re upset or stressed
- Limit your alcohol and/or cannabis intake while gambling
- Know how the games work before you wager
- Set budget and time limits – there are tools available on many slot machines, mobile and internet gambling sites to help you monitor your play
- Take frequent breaks – move around, get some fresh air, have something to eat or a coffee
- Only gamble with money you have – never borrow money or use money intended for necessities, like rent or food
- Don’t try to win back what you’ve lost
- Gambling is not a way to make money so don’t think of it as a chance to win money for a trip, to pay bills or to pay off debt
- Stick to your budget by leaving your credit and debit cards at home
- Balance gambling with other recreational activities
- If you’re no longer having fun, stop playing
- Don’t depend on “good luck” strategies – they don’t increase your chances of winning
Again, these are great suggestions to help people minimize their gambling addiction, but, is this all we can come up with to help Americans? Additionally, is this the biggest issue facing these individuals?
We would argue that the biggest issue facing people who gamble is their financial situation and not necessarily their gambling addiction. Granted, their financial situation could be caused by their gambling addiction, but usually, people gamble to try and hit it big because they are stretching financially. Nonetheless, most gamblers have financial instability – up to 23 million Americans land in debt due to gambling, according to Debt.org.
According to fortune.com, 57% of Americans cannot afford a $1,000 emergency expense. Americans are facing a huge financial epidemic and adding gambling losses to the mix just perpetuates this issue.
With the widespread legalization of sports gambling, rather than sit back and see what happens to Americans and their financial well-being, our goal at Gamepick is to help all Americans build wealth and invest their funds for their future.