Super Bowl Sunday used to be my favorite day of the year. It wasn’t just about the game—it was about the action. I lived for the thrill of the bets, the dopamine rush that came with every touchdown, every turnover, and every last-second field goal. But that thrill had a price.
Last year, a record-breaking 68 million adults gambled away a staggering $23 billion on the Super Bowl. This year, that number is expected to grow by another 15%, adding at least $2 billion more to the total. More states have legalized sports betting, more apps make it easier than ever to place bets, and more people—some for the very first time—are stepping into a world that can quickly spiral out of control.
For me, the Super Bowl was always the most dangerous day of the year. It was the culmination of months of chasing losses, the justification for another deposit I swore would be my last, and the gateway to another downward spiral. It took me years to recognize that my ‘fun bets’ were anything but fun. They were destructive, isolating, and financially devastating.
If You’re a Gambling Addict—Stay Away
If you’re in recovery like I am, the best thing you can do on Super Bowl Sunday is stay away from betting entirely. The idea of “just one bet” is a lie we tell ourselves. I used to believe I could just bet on the coin toss or place a $10 wager on my favorite team. But for a compulsive gambler, one bet is never just one bet. It’s the first step toward chaos.
The Super Bowl is a minefield of gambling triggers—endless commercials for sportsbooks, friends discussing their bets, and the temptation to just check the odds “for fun.” I know from experience that checking those odds can quickly turn into placing a bet, then another, then another.
Here’s what I do instead: I make plans that have nothing to do with gambling. I watch the game with family and friends who don’t bet or make it obvious. I keep my phone away from betting apps. Use app blockers like gamban or betblocker. I remind myself how far I’ve come, how much money I’ve saved, (which I can track with apps like Evive- Gambling Health) and how much better my life is without gambling.
The Bigger Picture
The numbers don’t lie—sports betting is skyrocketing, and the Super Bowl is its biggest stage. More people than ever are placing bets, and while some can do it responsibly, many will fall into the same trap I did. It’s why I speak out. It’s why I stay away. It’s why I remind myself every day that I don’t want to go back to the life I once had.
If you’re struggling with gambling, you’re not alone. There are resources out there to help. This Super Bowl Sunday, make a choice that’s good for you. It’s just one day—but one day can make all the difference.
Stay grinding, stop gambling. Life gets better. One day at a time.
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