How to Prepare for the Super Bowl if Choosing To Bet
Published: February 5, 2024
February and March are some of the most popular times of the year for sports betting. The Super Bowl LVIII is kicking off this Sunday and the NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championships, or “March Madness,” will take place from March 19th through April 8th.
With plenty of opportunities and more options than ever to engage in sports betting, the likelihood of potentially developing a gambling disorder can rise. That’s because many sports games are fast and intense – and that can create more excitement, adrenaline, and risk-taking when placing bets.
And there’s a growing amount of research to support this. According to a story from News 5 Cleveland, as sports betting has become more popular in the state after its legalization in 2023, so has the number of people seeking help for a gambling disorder.
According to The American Gaming Association, 20 percent of U.S. adults are planning to bet on Super Bowl LVIII. If you are among this group, Pause Before You Play has a few tips on how to engage responsibly:
- Get educated. Knowledge is power. The more you know about problem gambling, the more empowered you are to make informed decisions. Pause Before You Play can help you learn more about problem gambling by helping you recognize the warning signs and understand the complex issue.
- Set Limits: Determine the amount of money and time you can afford to bet before you head out the door and stick to that limit. This is just one of many tips to play responsibly.
- Rate Your Risk: Take the free two-minute online quiz to determine your risk level for problem gambling.
- Access resources. There are also plenty of free online resources to help you if you need them, including Ohio’s voluntary self-ban program Time Out Ohio, support groups, or financial counseling like GamFin.
Lastly, if you are experiencing a problem with gambling, know that you are not alone and that help is available 24/7. When you call Ohio’s Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-589-9966 or text 4HOPE to 741741, you’ll be met with trained and understanding specialists who offer free and confidential support with no strings attached.
[Copy in Graphic] Tune in to the Columbus Metropolitan Club’s luncheon live stream on February 7, 2024, at 12 p.m.
Ohio for Responsible Gambling’s Office of Prevention Chief Stacey Frohnapfel-Hasson, MPA, and panelists in the field will be discussing sports betting and what its growth in popularity could mean for Ohioans. The forum will be live-streamed on Facebook and Twitter/X and on public broadcast. If you’re unable to watch it live, you can view it afterward on their YouTube channel or podcast page.