1. You believe there are magical betting strategies that let you beat the odds in the long run.
No, it is a big misconception and illusion. There are no magic betting systems and strategies that will help you unravel the secret of sports betting and provide you with consistent wins. It’s simply not possible. Moreover, just like the online casino industry, the betting industry works in such a way that the bookmaker is usually left to win. Yes, you may win something, but if you bet on sports regularly, your spending will be at least slightly less than your winnings.
2. You use sports betting as a coping strategy.
In psychology, coping strategies are strategies that help us to deal with stress and negative emotions and thoughts. There are so-called destructive coping strategies, which create the effect of getting rid of stress, or help to deal with it but harm our mental well-being and physical condition.
Examples of positive coping strategies are socializing with loved ones, with animals, and playing sports. Examples of destructive coping strategies are alcohol and drug use, compulsive overeating, and excessive gaming (or gambling). They are highly addictive and can damage our overall health in the long run because of very negative side effects. Thus, if you use them for a long time to combat stress and escape from reality, you can get new and very serious problems, namely various addictions (alcohol addiction, drug abuse, gaming addiction, gambling addiction, compulsive eating addiction).
3. You don’t stick to certain time and money limits when placing bets.
Whether you do it all the time or occasionally, this behavior can easily lead to vave sports betting addiction. It is no coincidence that managing a bankroll would be one of the most important tips in a betting guide.
4. You are a highly addictive person.
Well, being highly addictive doesn’t automatically make you a gambling addict, but it makes sports betting for you much riskier than for others In general, it is much easier for a person prone to various addictions to develop psychological dependence than for others. People of this type are more inclined to suppress their feelings and desires and escape from reality through various activities. They are often people who do not understand their true feelings, have self-esteem problems, and have strong inner conflicts. People who have an unrealistic view of themselves are also at risk of becoming addicted to something. For them, the mismatch between reality and their self-image can become too painful and even psychologically intolerable, causing them to abuse certain activities and substances.
5. Sometimes you chase your sports betting losses.
Сhasing your losses means you continue placing sports bets after the financial loss not for fun and entertainment, but to get even. You should never do it when betting on sports. Losing money is a part of sports betting, and if you can’t accept it, you shouldn’t place your bets at all.
6. If you attempt to stop or cut down on placing sports bets, you feel bad, irritable, angry, distressed, etc.
If your efforts to cut back or control sports betting are accompanied by such negative feelings, it is a warning sign gambling addiction is coming or has already come.
7. Sports betting hurts your career, educational opportunities, or relationships.
Even the fact that you’ve been late to work a few times, or you’ve sat in front of the computer for too long making bets, and then you haven’t gotten enough sleep and feel tired at work, might be an indication you should reconsider your sports betting routine. The danger of sports betting addiction is that it develops over time, and people often overlook its signs.
