Lima, OH (WLIO)- The Super Bowl is less than two weeks away, and sports betting is expected to see a surge in wagers. But knowing how much to bet can be a slippery slope.
Sports gambling can become an addiction, just like anything else. With more states legalizing gambling and mobile apps and websites making it more accessible than ever, sports betting continues to grow.
According to data, 41% of Super Bowl viewers say they plan to place bets on the game.
While placing a bet can make the game’s outcome more exciting, it can also change behavior, damage relationships, and impact finances if the results don’t go in your favor.
According to data, 41% of Super Bowl viewers say they plan to place bets on the game.
We spoke with PASS Executive Director Rick Skilliter about the warning signs that may indicate you or someone you know is struggling with gambling addiction.
"The first thing is we see an eroding of trust in the family unit. The family kind of separates, and that's kind of an early indication, before you even know that there's something specific, that there's something different about the family unit. So the trust factor, not getting along, struggling at home, maybe struggling at work would be a challenge. Finances might be upside down, little things disappear, that are being sold to make the you know, make good on the bet, so to speak, or take care of the response, the financial responsibility of that," Skilliter commented.
Skilliter also added that if someone recognizes these warning signs, there are ways to mitigate the damage by knowing “when to hold ’em and when to fold ’em.”
"We certainly encourage folks never to spend more than they can afford. Always take care of your basic needs. Your housing, your food, financial responsibility. So, you look at what you would call discretionary spending and only spend that money that you can afford to lose. One of the traps is that you have a big payout. And so that kind of entices you the high of high of that causes you to keep going. And then all of a sudden there's a low, and then a deeper low, and you get in over your head, and that type of thing. So just being mindful of how much can I afford to lose if I don't have it and then stop," stated Skilliter.
In 2024, Ohioans placed nearly $7 billion in bets.
If you are struggling with gambling addiction and need help, call 988 to speak with a local clinician or visit the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio at PGNOhio.org.
