Four Ways to Step Up Your Game this Problem Gambling Awareness Month
Published: March 3, 2025
March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month — a timely reminder as March Madness basketball games tip off later this month. While fans love filling out brackets and making friendly wagers, the rise of online sports betting has made it easier than ever to bet on games.
And it’s not just the men’s tournament that draws big bets. Interest in the NCAA women’s tournament reached new highs last year, with the Elite Eight showdown between LSU and Iowa breaking FanDuel’s record for most wagers ever on women’s sports. The championship game became the most-watched women’s basketball game of all time and the most-watched basketball game — across men’s and women’s, college and pro — since 2019.
With new viewers tuning in, more Ohioans could be exposed to the potential harms of betting. Sports betting apps allow users to bet on any of the 134 men’s and women’s games, at any time, with just a tap. While sports betting can add excitement to the games for some, others may be swept up in the thrill of the tournament and wager more than they planned — especially those attending the men’s First Four games in Dayton, Ohio.
To counter the risks, responsible betting advocates are stepping up during Problem Gambling Awareness Month to promote harm-reduction practices and share available resources. Here’s how you can get involved.
- Help protect college athletes: Legalized sports betting has led to a surge in college athlete harassment. During the 2024 March Madness tournament, players received 540 abusive social media messages from angry sports bettors, including death threats, and women’s basketball players were targeted nearly three times more than men’s. Ohio’s More Than A Bet campaign is working to safeguard student athletes, but it takes all of us to create change. Visit MoreThanABet.org and follow them on Instagram, X, and Facebook to learn how you can join the solution.
- Make family events fun, not risky: Small wagers on family March Madness brackets might seem harmless, but exposing youth to betting can increase their risk of developing a gambling disorder later. Instead, try fun alternatives like baking hoops-themed cookies or making DIY signs to cheer on your favorite team. And if you decide to fill out brackets as a family, keep it about the fun and skip the money.
- Know where to get help: The National Council on Problem Gambling says less than half of Americans know where to seek help for a gambling disorder. If you or someone you know needs support, 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.
- Spread awareness with key resources: March Madness betting is no longer limited to office pools – it’s on mobile apps, social media, and among friends. To help Ohioans navigate the challenges of sports betting, Pause Before You Play offers tools you can share with your network, including “Ice Bath” — our new campaign video highlighting responsible betting tips — and a Rate Your Risk quiz to help individuals gauge their risk level for a gambling disorder.
How are you recognizing Problem Gambling Awareness Month? We’d love to hear from you! Tag Pause Before You Play as you promote responsible betting. You can find us at @Pausebeforeyouplay_oh on Instagram, @PBYP_OH on X, and Pause Before You Play on Facebook.