Ep. 54 - Is it Time to Retire From Sports Betting?
The expansion of sports betting like we are currently seeing in North America had a headstart in the United Kingdom. About 15-years ago in that country, more betting companies were allowed into their market, along with increased advertising and sponsorship. As betting shifted online, sports gambling moved beyond a trip to the local betting shop on a Saturday, to a 24/7 world.
In episode 54 of our podcast, Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems, I’m joined by James, who lived through this in the United Kingdom and tells us about how his betting increased from once a week, to daily, to all-day (on occasion). He tells us that for many years he didn’t see it as a problem at all, even though the losses brought him, at times, to a point of despair. James also shares how he eventually decided to “retire from betting” and what this transition into “retirement” has looked like for him.
Listen now to this great conversation on Fold em.
Hear more about:
why sports betting can become a daily habit that takes up more and more of your mental space
why it can be hard so hard to pull away once it becomes a habit, even though it’s having negative impacts
James’ three key strategies for pulling back from gambling: cut off access, find your purpose, and speak to people
what to say to friends and family who gamble when you decide to pull back
Listen now to episode 54 of Fold em by clicking on the green play button at the top of the blog.
If you prefer to tune in directly from Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, click on the red “Listen and Subscribe” button below.
Now that it is so easy to place a bet 24/7 on sports, it can easily shift into a daily habit.
It might be time to step back from that habit or even retire it.
When Sports Betting Turns Into a Habit
In this episode of Fold em, James tells us that he started betting on football (aka soccer) at the local betting shop in his teens. It was a Saturday afternoon ritual. When sports betting went online, he joined a group that offered “insider” tips for betting on games outside of the UK. This, he says, was his “downfall” because now he could bet on football 24/7.
James tell us that another passion emerged at that time, which was travel. While he was out exploring the world, betting took a back seat in his life. However, once he returned to the UK or settled somewhere for awhile to work, betting moved back into his life. He would have moments after a big loss where things would crack and he’d say to himself, “What am I doing?" But then shortly after he would fall back into the habit, with the hope that a win was just around the corner.
Looking back, James says that he now clearly sees that gambling was a problem in his life for about fifteen years. But while he was in the midst of this, he didn’t see it so clearly.
Here’s what can get in the way of acknowledging that sports betting has become a harmful habit:
rationalizing that lots of other people are betting (so it can’t be a problem for you)
only taking a short-term look at your spending (focusing on whether you are up or down this week as opposed to total losses)
keeping details about your gambling private (the losses, how many hours you are putting into it, the stress).
a mindset that encourages regular gambling (why should I work hard at other things when this is an easy way to make money?)
Breaking Your Sports Betting Habit
For James, after spending a full day gambling - without showering, brushing his teeth or doing anything else - he realized he needed to be honest with himself about his betting and sort this out for himself. His girlfriend had also commented that he looked really down. This was his starting place for doing things differently. Yours might look different. However, if you get to this place, remember that changing habits can be a one-step forward, once step back process. Making this change is important enough to not give up if you take a step back.
Here’s what worked for James as he pulled back from sports betting:
Cut off access to sports betting: deactivate online accounts, self-exclude or use blocking apps. You don’t have to do it all at once, but slowing down your ability to quickly access gambling helps to break habits of automatically reaching for it.
Connect with people who know something about gambling problems: James opted to speak to a counsellor specializing in gambling problems. He says that the accountablity helped him to stay on track and understand more about himself and the habit.
Do something that genuinely interests you: James took his passion for travelling one-step further and started a podcast about travel. That might seem too big for you, but find something that is meaningful or engaging for you.
Shift your thinking: James notes that he really worked on changing his thinking about gambling. He reminded himself that it “didn’t add anything positive to my life”. And, that he prefers to be someone who works for things rather than looking for the easy way to earn money. What do you need to tell yourself to help break a gambling habit?
If you would like to hear more from James about his experiences with sports betting and how he has been able to successfully “retire” from it, listen now to episode 54 of Fold em.
What Support is Available to Help Me or a Loved One Break a Gambling Habit?
For Residents of British Columbia
If you live in British Columbia, you can connect with Gambling Outreach Support anytime. To do so, click on the red “Connect with Support in BC” button below. Or, go to the Gambling Support BC website. You can also access these services through the Gambling Support Line. It is available 24/7 at 1-888-795-6111.
Gambling Support BC services are available to any British Columbia resident experiencing problems from gambling. You don’t need to stop or quit gambling or be self-excluded to access these free supports.
Our counselling and outreach services can help you figure out how to manage gambling concerns, including how to control or stop gambling. You decide what will work for you.
You can talk to an outreach support person about next steps for yourself if you aren’t wanting counselling. They can help you find self-help resources or local community resources and make a plan that meets you where you are at.
Outside of British Columbia
Canada: www.gamblingguidelines.ca/getting-help
United States: National Council on Problem Gambling
United Kingdom: GamCare
Australia: Gamblers’ Help
If you live outside of these countries, search online for “Gambling Help” in your country
Online Support and Meetings:
Gamblers Anonymous and GamAnon
GamTalk (online chat forum)
Fold em is a podcast hosted by Adrienne Cossom and her colleagues at Gambling Support BC. Whether you are looking at stopping or scaling back your own gambling or supporting a family member with a problem, this podcast will help you take back control. Hear from gamblers who have been through it and get tips from counsellors. Fold em is funded by Gambling Support BC.