What can I do to stop betting?

How can I stop betting on sports?

❓How to stop being addicted to sports betting?
💬Can gambling addiction be cured?
💡How to quit betting completely?
🎯How can I bet responsibly on sports?

Betting on sports can be exciting, The thrill of the ups and downs makes it a much-loved pastime for millions of sports fans worldwide - not to mention the allure of winning real money. But sports betting isn’t always advisable, and some people can and do reach a point where they decide they need to stop betting on sports. Responsible gambling is so important - yet for some people, this can be easier said than done.

If you’ve reached a point where gambling is no longer fun for you, or where it is beginning to cause wider problems in your life, it’s important that you take steps to control your betting. But how can you stop betting on sports when you’ve reached that point, and what support is out there for those having a hard time controlling their gambling?

How to stop being addicted to sports betting?

Sports betting should always be fun. Despite being enjoyed responsibly by millions worldwide, gambling - including sports betting - can be addictive. And for those that fall into the grips of gambling addiction, significant problems can ensue, financially, socially and personally, from an inability to control gambling beaviours. If you think you might be addicted to sports betting, you need to stop, at least for a while, to give you space to figure out how to control your impulses and gambling behaviours better.

Self control is the first option - literally deciding you don’t want to bet on sports any more, and sticking to it. Tools like self-exclusion can be helpful here, effectively banning yourself from betting with online bookmakers. You may also want to seek help from charities and other agencies that exist to offer advice and support for those with gambling problems. These are all measures that can help you stop being addicted to sports betting in the short term.

Can gambling addiction be cured?

Gambling addiction, like any addiction, can be cured. But that’s not to say it is easy for everyone. Some people with compulsive gambling habits can actually find it incredibly difficult to quit, even though their gambling is wreaking havoc on the rest of their life. The first step to overcoming your addiction is recognising you have a problem, and deciding that you actively want to stop gambling. This isn’t an easy step in itself, but it’s the first step on the journey to overcoming problematic gambling behaviour.

From there, we would recommend seeking the help of agencies like The National Gambling Hotline, GamCare and Gamble Aware. There are also a number of local gambling support groups, where you can seek in-person support for overcoming your gambling habits. There is no quick fix if you’re addicted to gambling, and it could take some time to get through the other side. But it’s important to remember that it is possible to overcome gambling addiction, and to develop a healthier relationship with sports and sports betting.

How to quit betting completely?

The best tool for quitting betting completely is self-exclusion. This is where you ask a bookmaker, or multiple bookmakers via an industry self-exclusion tool, to refuse to accept your bets. This is a big step, and one that can be hard to roll back on. But once you’ve asked a bookmaker not to accept your bets, you will be banned from their platform. Making it impossible for you to bet online by self-exclusion is a blunt tool, but it’s one that has proven to be effective for many who have tried to quit betting entirely.

Self-exclusion can also be actioned with betting shops, closing down another form of access to betting on sports. By closing off the channels to betting, it becomes nigh-on impossible to physically bet on sports. Whether or not you choose the self-exclusion route, we recommend seeking the advice of gambling professionals, through gambling addiction support groups. This can provide you with tools, resources and further help you need to get your gambling under control

How can I bet responsibly on sports?

For some punters, stopping gambling completely might feel like a step too far. It is possible to bet responsibly on sports, as many millions of people regularly do. With some additional tools and resources at your disposal, it’s possible to get your gambling under control, so you can still enjoy betting, while also controlling the more substantial risks posed by betting on sports.

Set limits for your gambling spend, and for the time you want to spend gambling, and stick to them. Use deposit methods like paysafecard or pay by phone where your deposits are limited and easy to keep track of. Be more mindful in how you are betting, and choose to bet with smaller stakes, rather than larger stakes. You’ll still get much of the same enjoyment out of low level betting, but with a much lower risk profile. There are tons of resources for responsible gambling, many of which are heavily funded by the gambling industry. Search for help online for more tips on how to keep your betting within responsible limits, to avoid having to take more extreme measures.

Quitting cold turkey is often harder than it looks, and like anything that becomes an impulsive trigger, gambling can become a deep-seated problem for some people. Support is out there for those who want to stop gambling - usually available free of charge from organisations that work closely with gambling addicts and their families. Be sure to make use of the help that is out there - it can only make the process of quitting gambling easier.

At the same time, tools like self-exclusion and betting limits can also help you get a handle on your sports betting. But there’s a personal point here too. It’s really down to you to recognise when it’s time to stop, and to take appropriate measures to keep your gambling within sensible limits. Don’t be afraid to speak about the problem, and to ask for the help of others - with the right support, anyone can stop betting on sports, and take back control of their life. Gambling responsibly is really important, don't let betting taking over you and don't hesitate to seek help.

What can I do to stop betting?

Table of contents

How to stop being addicted to sports betting?

Can gambling addiction be cured?

How to quit betting completely?

How can I bet responsibly on sports?

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