Thanksgiving Betting: Avoid gambling pitfalls over the holiday
Author:
Zach Lutz
Reviewed by:
Published:
Nov 22, 2024
,
10:20 a.m.
ET
Thanksgiving is a time for family and food (and football), but for many it’s also a prime occasion for sports betting. With NFL Thanksgiving 2024 offering three marquee matchups – Bears vs. Lions at 12:30 PM ET, Giants vs. Cowboys at 4:30 PM ET and Dolphins vs. Packers at 8:20 PM ET – there’s nonstop action all day and night. Plus, the college football schedule features Memphis vs. Tulane at 7:30 PM ET, and college basketball (NCAAB) boasts a packed slate of Thanksgiving tournament games, including top 25 matchups.
On Black Friday, the jam-packed action continues with an isolated NFL game between the Raiders and Chiefs, 14 NCAAF games and countless NCAAB, NBA and NHL matchups. The holiday weekend culminates in a Saturday and Sunday filled to the brim with meaningful games, creating endless opportunities for bettors to place wagers.
While this wealth of sporting events can make Thanksgiving thrilling, it also increases the risk of gambling pitfalls. Let’s explore some of the dangers of sports betting during the Thanksgiving holiday and provide actionable tips for staying responsible.
Dangers of sports betting over the Thanksgiving holiday
The constant schedule of games during Thanksgiving weekend offers ample opportunities to bet – and just as many chances to overdo it. Here are some dangerous habits to be mindful of:
Chasing Losses: With a constant flow of games across most major sports, the temptation to chase losses can grow stronger. If a Thanksgiving afternoon bet doesn’t go your way, and you are couch-chilling for most of the day, it’s easy to convince yourself that a wager on an evening game can make up for it. This cycle of chasing losses can quickly spiral out of control and result in unforeseen levels of loss.
Betting to Create Interest: Thanksgiving NFL may feature teams that you may not root for normally. But since millions will watch them anyway, to make the games more exciting they will place bets to create a rooting interest. Therefore, it’s important to stay disciplined with your approach and avoid overextending yourself financially.
Using Betting as an Escape: Holidays can be stressful for many people due to family dynamics, traveling logistics or emotional challenges. For some, sports betting becomes a way to escape those stresses. This can lead to at-risk gambling behaviors as a coping mechanism or escape route.
Idle Time and Social Pressure: Thanksgiving weekend is a time when millions of college students return home and reconnect with old friends. With idle time and frequent trips to bars, the combination of alcohol and betting becomes a risky mix. Studies show that alcohol lowers inhibitions and increases impulsivity, which can lead to placing reckless bets.
Group Betting and Peer Influence: Betting during gatherings can also lead to excessive wagering. Peer influence may encourage people to place bets they wouldn’t normally consider, amplifying the risk of losing control.
Tips for sports betting responsibly over Thanksgiving
To enjoy sports betting without falling into common dangerous behaviors, follow these responsible gaming tips tailored to the holiday season:
Set a Budget and Stick to It: Decide how much money you’re willing to spend on betting for the entire Thanksgiving week, deposit that amount in your account and don’t dip into more funds. Treat it as part of your holiday entertainment budget – once it’s gone, it’s gone. As an extra guardrail to ensure you don’t deposit again, there are helpful responsible gaming features in sportsbook apps like “Deposit Limits” that will help you prevent yourself from the desire to add more funds.
Bet on What You Know: Stick to betting on teams, leagues or sports you’re familiar with only. Avoid making random bets just because you may be in front of a TV over the holiday and want something to root for.
Avoid Betting While Drinking: The alcohol tends to flow on Thanksgiving, which can impair judgment and lead to impulsive decisions. If you’re planning to place bets, do so before drinking or at least wait until you’re sober to make clear-headed choices.
Limit Time Spent Gambling: Don’t let betting consume your holiday weekend. Schedule other activities, like spending time with family or going for a walk after dinner, to ensure you’re not glued to your phone or TV.
Take Breaks: Be sure to take time away from TV and phone screens to maintain a healthy balance between watching (and betting on) sports and other activities.
Gambling Addiction support
Thanksgiving can be a challenging time for those struggling with gambling addiction, as the constant stream of games and social pressures can heighten the urge to bet. If you find yourself losing control, it’s important to seek help.
Gambling addiction is a serious mental health disorder that often requires professional treatment. The good news is that many options are available, including counseling from the comfort of home.
Birches Health specializes in virtual gambling addiction treatment, offering a variety of services to support recovery:
1-on-1 Counseling
Free Virtual Group Sessions
Workshops and Webinars
Educational Resources
Relapse Prevention Planning
Self-Assessment Tools
To get started with Birches Health, you can:
For immediate assistance, contact Birches Health at 833-483-3838 or email hello@bircheshealth.com.
