Keep it a game
Set the amount before you start and treat it as already gone, the way you would the price of a ticket. Money meant for rent, bills or food is not that amount. Losing does not mean you are owed a win back, and the night you most want to keep going is the night to stop.
When to stop and look at it
- The size or the number of your bets keeps creeping up.
- You have borrowed to bet, or you would rather people close to you did not know.
- Not betting leaves you restless or short-tempered.
- You are betting to get back to even rather than because you liked the bet.
Where to get help
Talking to someone helps, and it does not have to be a crisis first. In the US, 1-800-GAMBLER takes calls and texts in confidence, at any hour. Your sportsbook can also set a deposit limit, a cooling-off period or a full self-exclusion on your account — those tools exist because they work.
21+ only
This site is for adults of legal betting age in their jurisdiction. Our predictions are opinions based on data, not guarantees.