Sports Betting 101: Responsible Gambling Policy

Due to the expansion of legal sports betting in the United States, fans can engage with their favorite teams and leagues in a completely new manner. Here at FantasySP, sports betting should be all about having fun. The number one rule is to never bet what you cannot afford to lose. It’s critical to set reasonable limits. Our top priority is to make sure that you are gambling safely and responsibly.

Be sure to check out our Sports Betting 101 page to learn all the important information before you open up an account at a sportsbook. 

For some, gambling can become a problem. FantasySP.com and the information contained within are strictly for entertainment purposes. This site is intended only for adults and does not offer real money betting.

FantasySP.com offers the following advice and information to help users gamble responsibly:

• Never risk more than you can afford to or are prepared to lose.
• Never use money allocated for other expenses to gamble.
• Always set limits before you begin, including limits on the amount of money you can wager and the number of hours you can spend gambling.
• Be sure to take advantage of gambling-oriented self-help tools and resources offered by many websites (including deposit limits and self-exclusion tools).
• Never “chase” your losses.
• Never gamble when you are sad or depressed.
• Never gamble to escape problems in your life.
• Never gamble when under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Know gambling is a leisure activity that should be practiced in moderation; it is not a viable career, and the vast majority of gamblers suffer net losses in the long term.

As a provider of sportsbook and sports betting information, we are committed to ensuring that visitors gamble responsibly. We encourage all users to avoid the problems associated with excessive or compulsive gambling.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800 GAMBLER or find local resources in your area.

Know Your Limits

It is critical to know your limits. Make sure you understand the information below as it is critical if you are recovering from any kind of dependency. 

• Always establish limits for depositing and wagering before you start playing.
• Decide beforehand on a time limit for your playing session and stick to it. Within that session, ensure that you take regular breaks from playing.
• Never gamble if it interferes with your daily responsibilities.
• Never gamble if you are in recovery from any dependency or are under the influence of alcohol or any other substance.
• Never gamble if your primary aim is to recover losses. Remember, bet with your head, not over it.

Play Responsibly & Set Limits

• Deposit Limits - Sports bettors should set daily, weekly or monthly limits on the amount you deposit into your sports betting accounts.
• Wagering Limits - Sports bettors should set limits on how much money they wish to wager while playing.

Self-Exclusion

Many of the sportsbooks featured on FantasySP.com allow users to set limits on the amount they can wager. You can set up this kind of “self-limitation” directly in your online sportsbook.

Gamblers who wish to stop gambling completely – on a temporary or permanent basis – have the option of self-exclusion. You can exclude yourself directly from your sportsbook of choice, or contact state gaming authorities to exclude yourself from all gambling within your state of residence.

Regulations Vary By Location / Jurisdiction

Sports betting regulations and legality vary widely by location. In the United States, each state has its laws and rules regarding betting on sports. Refer directly to the resources of the relevant authority in your state or country of residence before attempting to bet on sports.

Minors

Age restrictions related to sports betting vary by jurisdiction. In most states, you must be 21 years of age to legally bet on sports.

Know the age restrictions in your location. If you reside with individuals under the age restriction and engage in online gaming activities, ensure that others in your residence cannot access your online gambling accounts. We suggest keeping your login information private. Do not save your login information on any shared devices.

Gambling Addiction

Gambling is often thrilling and it is extremely fun in moderation. That said, it has the potential to become an addiction. Gambling too much can negatively impact your life. It’s important to learn the warning signs and indicators of problem gambling. If you notice you might have a problem, it is important to get help immediately. 

Answering “yes” to any or all of the following questions can be an indication of problem gambling:

• Has gambling ever caused you to miss school or work?
• Has gambling negatively affected your reputation?
• Do you ever feel regretful after gambling?
• Have you attempted to solve financial difficulties through gambling?
• Have you ever borrowed money or sold items to gamble?
• Does your gambling negatively impact your home environment?
• Has gambling caused you to lose ambition for other endeavors?
• Do you feel the need to win back your losses?
• Do you have a strong urge to gamble more after a win?
• Do you often continue to gamble until you are out of money?
• Do you consider your “gambling money” to be unavailable for necessities?
• Is gambling a means of escape for you?
• Has gambling ever negatively impacted your welfare or that of your family?
• Do you ever gamble longer than you intended?
• Have you ever considered committing an illegal act to finance gambling?
• Does gambling impact your ability to sleep?
• Do you have the urge to gamble as a means of celebrating other successes?
• Do life’s daily challenges give you a need to gamble?
• Has gambling ever led to the urge to self-harm or commit suicide?

If you answered “yes” to some of these questions, consider seeking help with the resources below.

Seek help immediately if you think you may have a gambling problem. The form below can help you quickly find local resources in your area:

• Gamblers Anonymous
• Problem Gambling FAQ’s
• Screenings Tools
• Self-Help Toolkits: Created by the Cambridge Health Alliance, Division on Addiction
• Your First Step to Change is a collection of self-change toolkits available to the public, free of charge. Many people change their excessive behavior patterns without entering treatment. These toolkits are for individuals who would like help making a change or want information about their risky behavior. The toolkits help people:
  • Gain information about addiction-related problems.
  • Help people evaluate their addiction-related behavior.
  • Help to develop change strategies, should they decide that change is the best course.
• The BASIS mission is to minimize the addiction’s harmful effects by providing the general public, treatment providers, policymakers and others with access to addiction research. This is a resource provided by the Cambridge Health Alliance, Division on Addiction.
• Help by State

Think you or someone you know has a gambling problem? Reach out for help.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800 GAMBLER.

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