HARTFORD, Conn. (WFSB) - March Madness has arrived.
Sports books are expecting numbers bigger than the Super Bowl.
But, March is not all about the madness on the court. It is also Problem Gambling Awareness Month.
There are so many teams and bets to make, it can be easy to get carried away. That is why it’s important to be safe with those bets.
You should give yourself a limit and make sure you know when to call it quits.
68 college basketball teams will be chasing for a trophy.
There will be 67 games throughout the tournament to hit on some big bets.
“We think this year our handle and our wagering is going to exceed the Super Bowl,” said Brad Bryant, GM, Mohegan Sun Fanduel Sportsbook.
Bryant says betting has gotten easier.
“What people are realizing now is I don’t have to fly to Vegas anymore for March Madness. I can come to Mohegan Sun Fanduel Sportsbook, save the airfare,” he said.
Tony Lowe used to do exactly that. Now, he’s trying to start a new tradition of betting, basketball and brotherhood.
“I usually bet on basketball a little bit. I’ll mainly do it during the college basketball season,” Lowe said.
Lowe only put in for a pair of $30 dollar bets tonight. He says he’s pretty good at knowing his limits.
“It’s not even about the money. It’s about the excitement of the game. It makes the game a little bit more interesting,” said Lowe.
Those limits are exactly what Diana Goode hopes everyone practices this March Madness.
She is the Executive Director for Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling.
“Set your limits and decide what you’re willing to risk because we tell people, gamble within your means. We just want to make sure people know how much they’re gambling,” Goode said.
She says there are plenty of tools and help lines if you find your betting getting out of hand.
If you think you’re the only losing this March, just know you’re not alone. Experts say sometimes you just need to step away.
You can reach the Problem Gambling Helpline at 888-789-7777.
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