Sports Betting
Sports betting refers to a type of gambling in which the person places a bet on the outcome of a sporting event. Sports betting may take place at some casinos but often is an online wager, today placed on a computer or smartphone.
In 2020, total sports betting in the United States was an estimated $1.55 billion dollars. The demographics of sports betting show men are more likely to place wagers on sports than women. A 2020 study found 20 percent of men have participated in sports bets.
It’s believed that 45 percent of all sports bets are placed with a smartphone, making this a very private way of gambling. Online sports betting is the fastest-growing sector of gambling.
Some believe that online gaming of all types, including sports bets, may be more addictive than casino gambling. That’s because online gaming is available 24/7, can be largely undetected by others, is programmed to give the house the advantage, and designed to trigger instincts of competition, gratification, and curiosity.
Some member properties in the Responsible Gaming Association of New Mexico offer sports books. For our guests who visit and watch the games on large screen TVs or who may place a wager on the outcome, we urge you to always set a limit on the amount of time you’ll spend and the amount of money you might wager.
For New Mexicans who have explored online gaming, including sports wagering, we urge caution as many researchers believe online games may be tied to an increase in addictive or problem gambling.
If you or a family member are concerned about gambling, please reach out. We offer many resources including free counseling and treatment services.
Gambling Help Line
(888) 696-2440
Available 24/7
There Is Hope
“If you are dealing with addiction issues, if you’re dealing with gambling issues, I want to let you know that there is hope. First of all there are people, programs, resources that will allow you to share what you are dealing with; what you are going through. There are so many resources. Try them all and find something that works.”
~ JJ Otero
Responsible Gambling Tips
Remember to follow these tips in order to be safe when gambling:
- Gambling is paid entertainment that you are paying for, so treat the money you lose as the cost of your entertainment
- Don’t think of gambling as a way to make money
- Set a money limit
- Set a time limit & take regular breaks
- Only bring the cash you are willing to lose and leave ATM and credit cards at home
- Don’t leave credit cards or ATM cards in the car
- Expect to lose
- Don’t gamble when you are depressed or upset
- Balance gambling with other activities
- Gambling and alcohol are proven to not be a good combination
- Don’t chase losses
- Avoid becoming too superstitious
- Never fall for the gambler’s fallacy
- Learn the rules and odds of the games
- Educate yourself about problem gambling
- Don’t play with money you don’t have
- Don’t use your credit card to gamble
- Don’t increase your betting to make up for money you lost
- Don’t use gambling as a way to cope with stress, loneliness, or depression
- Never gamble with important money such as rent money
- If you are thinking about gambling all day long, get help
- If you are lying to others about your gambling, get help
- Never borrow money from others just to gamble
- Do not gamble to escape your problems or to ignore your responsibilities
- Gambling to pay off a gambling debt does not work
- It’s a sign of a problem if you are quitting your job or favorite hobbies to gamble
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