Did you know that according to the National Council on Problem Gambling, nearly 67% of all college trainees bet on sports? * This figure doesn’t even consist of those who also bet on the lottery game, card games, mobile video games or gambling establishments.

If you select to wager during March Madness, here are some ideas, methods and resources to help you avoid dangerous habits and get assist if needed.

1. Evaluate your existing habits

Gambling and sports betting are not naturally wrong or bad. However, it is crucial to keep in mind that gambling websites, video games and apps are all created to keep you betting. They do this by stimulating your brain’s reward center, similar to alcohol and other drugs do, which can lead to addicting behaviors.

If you’re interested in how your brain reacts to gambling wins and losses, you can read more about the science behind betting. Knowing how your body responds beyond your control can assist you be more mindful and know when it’s time to take a break.

It’s also a good concept to sign in with yourself to evaluate your gaming routines. Think back over the previous 12 months and ask yourself:

Have you gambled more frequently or with more money?
Have you withdrawn from relationships?
Have you obtained money to cover betting debts?
Do you hide your bets or gambling routines from others?
Do you feel the urge to keep betting even when you’re losing?
Has gambling caused you any health-related problems, including tension or stress and anxiety?
Have you ever felt guilty or sorry about the way you bet or what happens when you gamble?
If you responded to yes to these questions, it might be time to reassess your gambling practices. You can also take this quick totally free test to get help examining your current routines.

2. Set limitations on your own

Setting limits around just how much cash and time you invest in gaming can assist you prevent undesirable monetary effects. Here are some ways you can alleviate your financial dangers and substantial losses:

Set money and time limitations. Benefit from the features available on betting sites to assist you monitor your play and know when you have actually discussed your time or money limitation. Resist the desire to keep betting or playing as soon as you have actually reached this limit.
Budget for gambling. What can you reasonably manage to spend on gambling? Set a budget plan for yourself and stick to it. If you have a hard time to keep track of your costs, think about removing your credit or debit card info from your phone or laptop so it can’t autofill on websites. Additionally, if you’re going out somewhere to wager, leave your cards in your home. Never obtain cash or utilize cash that is planned for standard requirements (e.g., rent and food) to position bets.
Know how it works. Research how a specific game or wagering system works before you place your bets. For example, some bets may depend on the result of the game, while others may rely on a point spread or video games that will be chosen in the future. Knowing what kinds of bets you’re making and how the system works can help decrease your risk of losing more than expected.
Bet just what you can pay for to lose. All gambling comes with danger. Sometimes you’re up and in some cases you’re not. That’s why it is essential to consider how much money you want to lose before you put any bets. Remember, if you lose your money, don’t try to win it back. This often results in bigger losses than you would have incurred if you had let the cash go.

1. Find a balance
   
   Gambling for extended periods can make it difficult to track your time and money. Stepping away can assist you clear your head and promote a more intentional relationship with gambling. Here are a few suggestions to help you strike a balance between gaming and other activities:
   
   Balance recreational gambling with other hobbies or interests.
   Delete gambling apps from your phone, laptop and other gadgets.
   Consider eliminating your credit or debit card info from the ‘autofill’ function on your phone, computer or other devices.
   Set time limitations or block sites that you ’d like to invest less time on using software application like Bet Blocker or GamBan.
   Avoid betting or playing when your feelings are heightened (e.g., stressed out, upset, angry, disappointed, and so on).
   Avoid betting while under the impact of alcohol or other compounds. This might cause you to take more risks than you generally would when wagering.
   You can also check out our complimentary gambling guide to learn fast suggestions for how to gamble in a more deliberate method, find balance, understand the indication of issue gambling and get aid or look for recovery.
   
   4. Share your experience
   
   It’s typical for individuals to be more open about their experiences when they result in success or jackpots. However, it’s likewise crucial to resolve losses you might have experienced.
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   Encourage your good friends to start having open, truthful and well balanced conversations around sports betting and betting. Being susceptible and sharing your real-life experiences with the highs and lows of sports betting can help you recognize routines or techniques that are working for you in addition to those that aren’t. It can likewise supply insight into how others view gaming, what limits they have in place and how it affects people’s lives differently.
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   Here are a couple of questions you may consider asking friends:
   
   How does wagering impact the enjoyment of viewing sports for you?
   How dangerous do you think sports betting is compared to other kinds of gambling?
   What types of sports do you bank on?
   How hard/easy is it to generate income wagering?
   Have you experienced any losses this year? What was it like?
   How do you see your relationship with betting altering over the next couple of years?
   
2. Seek support
   
   When wagering ends up being troublesome, it not only increases your monetary risks, but it can likewise increase your threat of anxiety, depression, self-destructive ideas and relationship problems.
   
   Some people may also experience compulsive gaming. Compulsive gaming occurs when someone has an unmanageable desire to keep betting in spite of the toll it handles their life or finances. When somebody is participated in compulsive gaming, they tend to chase bets that lose regularly, use up their cost savings, enter debt or turn to theft or fraud to fund their betting routines.
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   If you’re worried about how gaming is affecting your life, there are resources and programs readily available to help:
   
   Collegiate Recovery Community (CUCRC). The CUCRC provides community and assistance for trainees, staff and faculty in recovery or seeking healing from a wide variety of behaviors, including betting.
   Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS). CAPS can help trainees explore their relationship with gambling and assist you link with assistance resources. Schedule a screening or drop in throughout a Let’s Talk session to consult with a company.
   Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP). FSAP can help staff and professors explore their relationship with betting and help you link with support resources. Submit an online demand to arrange a consultation with an FSAP provider.
   National Problem Gambling Helpline. The National Problem Gambling Helpline is run by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG). They supply 24/7 phone, text and chat services to help connect individuals with regional resources and assistance related to gambling issues.
   Gamtalk. Gamtalk is a totally free, anonymous, peer-based assistance network that helps individuals with problem gambling. They provide moderated group assistance talks online 24/7.
   
3. Gambling is forbidden in CU Boulder house halls. NCAA guidelines restrict sports personnel and student-athletes from taking part in any sports wagering activities on an NCAA sponsored sport, at any level.