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Four Ways to Prepare for the NFL’s Main Event

Published: February 3, 2025

The Super Bowl is one of the biggest events in sports. Whether you’re a football fanatic or just tuning in to catch the commercials and halftime show, the big game offers something for just about everyone. And as you may have expected, it also draws some of the highest betting volumes all year.

Last year, a record-high one in four Americans planned to bet on the Super Bowl, a 35 percent increase from the year before. In some ways, Ohio leads the charge. The state ranked fifth in expected Super Bowl bets last year, and in 2023, the first legal year Ohioans could bet, it ranked second.

Now, as just the third Super Bowl in Ohio’s legal sports betting era approaches, experts say the appeal of betting could lead to a rise in individuals developing a gambling disorder. That’s because sports bettors are nearly twice as likely to develop a gambling disorder than other bettors, according to the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG). 

Sports betting can be especially challenging for some individuals because mobile apps provide round-the-clock access from home, which can make it difficult for individuals to set boundaries for when and how long they bet, as well as how much they wager. And unlike other types of betting, sportsbooks offer in-game wagers, allowing fans to make as many bets as there are plays in a game. The NCPG says in-game betting closes the lag between bet and reward, quickening the betting pace and leading to risky behaviors, such as chasing losses.

Building a game plan can help ensure you don’t bet more money or for longer durations than you intend. If you plan to bet on Sunday, these tips from Pause Before You Play can help you do so responsibly and keep the Super Bowl fun. 

  • Rate your risk. Gambling disorders can be difficult to recognize. Knowing what warning signs to look for can help you make informed decisions and ensure you stop the potential harms of gambling before they start. You can also take the two-minute quiz to rate your risk level for a gambling disorder.
  • Have realistic expectations. It might seem like sports betting is a game of skill rather than luck, but it’s not. Everyone loses over time. Make sure betting remains a hobby by playing for entertainment, not income.
  • Set limits. Without a plan for when and how much to bet, the fast-paced nature of sports betting could add up. Before you settle in to watch the big game, determine how much time and money you can afford to bet and stick to your limits.
  • Take advantage of available resources. If you’d like support building betting boundaries, you can always access free online resources, such as Time Out Ohio, which allows individuals to voluntarily ban themselves from Ohio’s casinos, racinos, and sports gaming for their duration of choice. Time Out Ohio also provides free subscriptions to GamBan, an app that can prevent your device from accessing more than 60,000 gambling websites and apps worldwide, as well as GamFin for free financial counseling to help you navigate betting-related financial issues.

And if you or someone you know needs help, call the free and confidential National Problem Gambling Helpline. Qualified local specialists are standing by 24/7 to take your call, with no strings or commitment attached. Call 1-800-GAMBLER or text 4HOPE to 741741. And now through the Ohio Gambling Telehealth Network, you can also access virtual telehealth services at no cost.

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