Four Ways to Keep Your Finances in Mind If Choosing to Bet

Published: January 20, 2025
If you need a reason to look forward to Ohio’s colder months, sports may provide a welcome distraction. Just as the MLB season culminates with the playoffs in October, the college football, NFL, NBA, and NHL seasons all begin to pick up speed and continue through the winter.
Through every sports season, Pause Before You Play can be a valuable resource. Anyone who plans to incorporate sports betting into their game-day experience can benefit from learning more, as it can impact many areas of life, like your finances. For many, the desire to win can sway them into taking more chances, particularly when it comes to their spending.
Financial coach Cyrus Purnell told Forbes that the draw of sports betting paired with 24/7 mobile access could create a potential problem for some. “Prior to the legalization of online sports betting, it was already proven that mobile phones often lead to poor financial habits…Something you enjoyed while you were only in Las Vegas for a weekend can now be coupled with the tools that make us scroll and scroll all day.”
Purnell says app features, like push notifications and social media, where you can see others share their betting wins, can encourage bettors to bet more money or for longer periods than they intended.
If you’re planning to bet on the upcoming football playoffs, such as the College Football Playoff National Championship or the NFL Super Bowl, betting with your financial wellness in mind can help you keep sports as a form of entertainment. Follow these responsible betting tips to help you enjoy this year’s bowl season.

- Play for fun, not income. Everyone loses money over time. To ensure you keep sports betting a hobby, don’t rely on it as a source of income.
- Bet only with money set aside for entertainment. Set a budget and stick to it, just as you would for any hobby. Download GamFin to access free financial counseling, such as help creating a budget with a dedicated portion for monthly entertainment.
- Bet only what you can afford to lose. Because of the fast-paced nature of sports betting, it’s easy to make snap decisions. Before you bet, set a loss limit and make a rule for yourself to close the app when you reach it.
- Never borrow money to play. If you need help to take a break from betting, take advantage of GamBan’s free resources that allow you to voluntarily block betting apps on your phone. TimeOutOhio.com is also a great resource for those looking to self-ban themselves from betting.
For more resources and support, please visit our Get Help page today. And if you or someone you know needs help, call the free Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-589-9966 or text 4HOPE to 741741 to connect with trained specialists. They’re available 24/7 to give you the confidential support you need with no strings attached. You can also access virtual telehealth services at no cost through the Ohio Gambling Telehealth Network.