Betting on your favorite teams and games can be fun — frankly, sometimes too much fun. In the wrong circumstances, betting (and other forms of gambling) can develop into addiction, and that addiction can be financially ruinous. Because of this, we strongly recommend that you be careful whenever you bet and that you follow these guidelines:

• See betting as entertainment, not investment: Betting can be great to make a match or moment more exciting but it’s not great as an investment. If you treat betting as a part of your entertainment budget, you’re more likely to bet within your means.
• Consider any money bet, money spent: Do not plan to win back any money that you spend betting. Any money that you place on a bet should not be crucial to you. That way, you feel wonderful if you win, but you’re still fine if you lose.
• Set a clear budget: Plan out how much you are willing to spend on betting and stick to that plan. A clear budget will make sure betting never takes too much from your wallet.
• Set a deposit limit: Think about how much is wise to bet even before you start and set that as your limit. This will help you bet according to your financial situation.‍
• Do not chase losses: If you lose a bet, don’t try to chase down a win to make up for it. Much like it’s a bad idea to tilt-queue after a tough loss, it’s an even worse idea to tilt-bet after your last one didn’t come through. ‍
• Do not blame players or teams for betting results: they are not involved in determining betting odds. This includes the teams you support, and the teams you are against. We do not condone threats or verbal abuse in any way, shape, or form.‍
• Do not bet while in a bad mental state: If you’re feeling depressed, stressed, or you’ve been drinking heavily then leave betting for a better day. That way, you’re more likely to make sound decisions and stick to any rules you set for yourself. ‍
• Stick to one account: Having one account will make it easier to track how much you’ve spent and make sure that you’re not going overboard.‍
• Do not circumvent access restrictions: They exist for a reason. Read the terms and conditions, and only use services that you are permitted to use.‍
• Keep betting away from minors: Children are highly susceptible and absorb cues easily from adults around them. Please be mindful and minimize betting behavior around minors.‍
• If worst comes to worst, self-exclude: Some betting sites have a self exclusion policy, meaning that you can ask for your account to be closed to all activity temporarily or permanently. If you cannot stop yourself from betting, you should strongly consider self-excluding. If you’re having trouble taking this step, ask a friend or family member to help you and seek professional help (see below).

Sometimes it can be tricky to tell if you’re really addicted to something. If you’re worried that you might have a betting problem, take the test below. Even if you aren’t worried, it’s a good idea to take the test occasionally.

Take the test

If you have identified a betting or gambling addiction, we recommend seeking professional help.