Fantasy is Around the Corner!

Fantasy is Around the Corner!

July 27, 2016

August is coming up on us quickly, which means the fantasy football season is lurking around the corner. In just a few weeks, your news feeds will begin to be populated with football news and fantasy advice. In the last 5 years, fantasy sports have seen an explosion in the number of participants.

Last August, the American Express Spending & Saving Tracker projected about 75 million Americans will play fantasy sports, which is roughly one third of the population. Of those 75 million participants, 22 million are women.

With the advent of the smartphone, people now have the ability to wager large amounts of money right on their cell phones using popular apps like DraftKings and FanDuel.  It is akin to living inside a casino, or more realistically, having a casino in your pocket.

The FCCG notes that the attraction to gambling, especially Fantasy Sports is not surprising.  After all, temptation is all around in this day and age of social media where everything is accessible by the click of a mouse or an App on a smart phone.

Although fantasy football attracts the most players by far, other sports are looking to incorporate daily fantasy into their consumer experience. Recently a joint venture between the MLB and DraftKings took place. Essentially, both companies partnered together and are giving away prize money for people to play their MLB fantasy baseball platform.

Whatever your take on fantasy sports is, it’s important to approach fantasy sports with caution. If you are going to partake in fantasy, whether it be season long leagues or daily action, follow these 3 responsible gaming practices.

1. Set limits to how much time you spend dedicated to fantasy sports participation and research. We constantly hear tales about how people become consumed with the ritual of setting lineups, researching, watching games, etc.
2. Set limits on how much money you are willing to wager. Don’t spend more than you can afford to lose. Be realistic about your chances of winning. The more players in the pool, the less likely you are to win.
3. Don’t get sucked in. Many people who play fantasy football report spending Thursday, Sunday, and Monday obsessing over football. Make sure you don’t become consumed.

Should you feel that gambling is taking control over your life, be sure to give us a call at 888-ADMIT-IT. We have the support and resources to help you!