Disclaimer: Sports gambling is addictive, and if you or a loved one is having trouble quitting, contact 1-800-GAMBLER.
In 1992, The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act became a federal law that prohibited most states from allowing sports betting. Then in May 2018, the Supreme Court justices voted to overturn the federal ban. Since then, 38 states have made sports gambling legal again, including Florida in late 2023.
Sports gambling is fun but if you lack responsibility with your money, it might all disappear. For Florida residents, betting on sports is as easy as downloading the Hard Rock Bet app on your phone. You may have seen promotions on advertisements encouraging people to start gambling by using persuading phrases like “give you your money back,” and worst of all, signing up is incredibly easy. As long as you are 21 years old, you can bet on sports in Florida.
Unpredictability is the factor that makes sports betting challenging. You may think you know what’s going to happen in a game, but I promise, you don’t. If you’re trying to make money then you have to bet on the underdog, that’s going to pay out the most. It’s all about risk.
Otherwise, you can make a parlay and try to skyrocket your money. In order to win a parlay, each bet you make must win in order for you to win the bet. You can make up to as many bets as you’d like.
You’re not going to win most of your bets when you gamble, it’s like the casino, “the house always wins.” However, when that bet hits, it’s an instant rush of dopamine. You go from eyes glued on the screen, sitting on the edge of the couch, to jumping up and down screaming, “LET’S GO!”
That’s the problem with sports betting, once you win that first bet, you’re hooked. I put a little bit of money in and tried for myself on the Hard Rock Bet app. I bet on a few games both on the NFL and college football, and almost lost it all. Tyreek Hill won me almost all of my money back and I was so excited. It was like winning on a lotto scratch off ticket. Right there I should’ve known to take my money out and walk away, but I bet the rest and lost it.
Sports gambling is fun as long as you’re responsible. Do not, and I repeat, DO NOT, bet all your money on sports games. I would only take a percentage of my paycheck and use that money to gamble while reinvesting your winnings. Whatever you do, be responsible and don’t bet on the New York Giants. Now go out and win some money!
