By the Responsible Gambling Council
Super Bowl LIX is this weekend and half of Ontario viewers will place a wager on the big game. The main reasons to bet are to add excitement to the game, to win money, and because of the influence of gambling advertisements. But whatever the reason, no amount of expertise or knowledge of the game can predict the unexpected.
The misconception that one can accurately predict a positive outcome or “win”, which can lead to over confidence that one’s knowledge will give them an advantage, is know as the illusion of control. This illusion of control, as well as other risk factors like the ease of online betting, can all influence how we gamble.
The results from the Village Media community poll reveal that of those betting:
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47% say they will bet $100 or less
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8% will bet between $100 and $250
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5% will bet between $250 and $500
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40% plan to wager more than $500
According to the latest sports betting survey from the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC), online gambling is now the most common way Ontarians will bet on the Super Bowl. Half will bet online with at least one sportsbook website. Most will bet just on the outcome of the game, but a quarter will bet multiple times throughout. Fifteen per cent will bet using several sportsbook websites.
This makes it extremely important that all Ontarians understand whether a gambling or sports betting website is legal or not. Ensuring that a sports betting platform is legal also reduces gambling risk.
Most Ontarians do use legal sites, but almost a third don’t know if a site is legal or not, or don’t know how to check. The iGamingOntario.ca directory is an easy way to find out. It lists all 84 legal gaming sites currently run by regulated operators in the province.
All regulated sportsbook websites also have responsible gambling features. For example, bettors can read about the odds of winning and how games work, use money and time limit-setting tools, self-assessment gambling risk quizzes and personalized spending reports, or customer service support from trained staff.
Ultimately, gambling is random – but plans shouldn’t be. Having a plan in place before play is key to having fun and enjoying the game. That includes being mindful of the illusion of control and remembering that even sports expertise or knowledge won’t beat the odds. Here are some more tips to keep sports betting safer:
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Pre-set betting limits and stay within your budget
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Never borrow money or use money intended for necessities, like rent/mortgage or food
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Never chase losses by trying to win back what you’ve lost
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Limit your alcohol, cannabis, and/or other substance intake
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Don’t bet if you are upset or stressed. Take a cooling off period
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View sports betting as entertainment, not a way to make money
To learn how to keep play safer visit Gambling is Random. If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, there is free, confidential help available 24/7 at ConnexOntario.ca.
