Worried About Their World Cup Betting?
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Bet Your Bottom Dollar: The World Cup is on track to be the biggest sports betting event in history, with forecasters projecting more than $50 billion wagered worldwide. With over 65% of Americans now legally able to place bets and mobile apps making it easier than ever, the odds that someone you care about is caught up in it are pretty high. So if you’ve been noticing some worrying signs in a loved one, here’s how to actually have a conversation with them.
How To Do It: Wait for a chill moment to bring it up (doing it right after a loss or during a game is a bad idea). Then use “I” statements to point out any specific behavioral changes you’ve noticed. It’s less confrontational, and they’ll be easier to reach if they don’t feel on the defensive.
The Benefits: Getting ahead of a potential problem can make a difference, as the financial damage from sports betting can compound quickly, with research showing that bankruptcy rates climb by about 10% in states where online betting is available. Catching a problem before it spirals into missed credit card payments or secret loans is exactly the point of bringing it up while the World Cup is ongoing.
