Hold up, we all know this is a very controversial topic and there are always several sides to this argument- the ones who agree that betting is okay and the others who disagree with this view.
There are also several people who believe there is more to betting than just sports or football games, but that’s a topic for another day.
We will be focusing more on sports betting as that is what a lot of young people do these days. Whichever side you are on, it’s all good and you are very much entitled to your opinion.
However, we can all agree that gambling has its rewards and disadvantages, often the latter is the result.
By now I guess you know the direction I am going in. Betting or gambling can bring you quick money. The problem with it is that it has a subtle way of changing your behaviour and relationship with money, with emphasis on ‘subtle’ because you might not see it coming.
A lot of beliefs are tied to betting. Some think it is a simple and easy way to earn money, and the more you bet the more you earn, unfortunately this might not be the case and before you know it, people find themselves in a rabbit hole of dependence and addiction to betting.
The damage of addiction to betting is quite profound- from a tarnished image to broken relationships, draining bank accounts and properties to mental breakdowns, the list is endless.
For some people, betting is just a form of hobby but where do we draw the line between betting just for entertainment and spiralling into an addiction? We have a few tips on how to keep your betting in check:
- Never borrow money to bet- This is where a lot of people miss it, borrowing money to bet is not the wisest decision you can make. Betting in itself is a game of chance, and there is a high chance that you will lose whatever you put in.
Borrowing money with the hopes that you will pay back from your winnings is shortsighted. If you win and you can pay back, quite alright, but what if you don’t? Wahala go dey o. My people, you know what to do.
- Never bet money you cannot afford to lose- Remember we are still in the confines of entertainment betting. Except you are a professional gambler, it is not advisable to bet money you cannot afford to lose. Whatever percentage of your income or allowance that goes into betting should not be one that will cause you discomfort.
Please let go of that mentality that putting more money in betting means more wins. The story is not usually like that and you will find yourself losing more than you bargained for.
- Be careful of those betting ads- Yes o! Those betting ads and sites that come up with the brightest colours and juicy ads, with irresistible promises that leave you hooked to their sites. Especially if you have little self-control or a history of chronic betting, try dey shine your eyes. Don’t fall for it.
- Reduce the time you spend gambling- The more time you spend betting the more money you would probably pump into it, discipline yourself to spend less time on betting sites and know when to press the stop button.
- Understand that there is no free money anywhere- This should be locked into your mind, what pushes people very deep into gambling is the notion that it is an easy way to make money, there is no easy way to make money and there is no free money anywhere. The earlier you realise this, the better.
It’s never too late/early to explore other ways of making sustainable income. This would help you reach your goals earlier so that you don’t depend solely on betting. It’s the start of a new year and you can take control of this year by maintaining a proper relationship with your money.
What do you think of betting and which other tips do you have for anyone addicted to betting?
#ESolutionsDeyForYou
