Welcome to ‘How to Stop Betting in CS:GO’, a guide to help you stop betting on esports, whether you’re interested in supporting a favourite team or just want to participate in a little wager on your favourite games.
We’re going to assume that you’re already aware of the significant impact that gambling can have on your life. Hopefully, this guide will help you put an end to your betting addiction and allow you to live a happier, healthier life.
Set A Limit
The first thing you should do is set a limit, especially if you’re already aware of how much you’re spending. Simply set a maximum amount that you’re willing to spend per week on esports – perhaps you have a limit set to £30 per week or per month – and ensure that you stick to it. Setting a limit will help you avoid the pitfall of falling into a gambling trap, as tempting as it might be to bet everything you’ve got just to see what happens.
Even if you’re not a professional gambler, it’s always a good idea to set limits on your own gambling anyway, just to ensure that you don’t overspend and create further financial damage. When you set limits, it becomes much easier to avoid gambling – especially when you see others around you who are actively seeking it, too.
Join A Society
Esports are often referred to as ‘the new golf’. And while golf has always been associated with luxury and excess, that stigma certainly doesn’t apply to esports. In fact, both the Esports Charity and the UKGC actively encourage participation in their respective communities, so that the least amongst us can also be a part of the action!
The Esports Charity is an organization that was set up to “raise funds and awareness for the ESPA (Esports Spansation Association) Charity, which provides support for people affected by mental health issues in esports.” And the UKGC (United Kingdom Golf Council) promotes the health benefits of golf, which naturally extends to esports as well.
If you’re looking to get involved, either as a participant or a supporter, you should definitely consider joining a society. Not only will you have opportunity to join in some memorable matches (especially if you’re supporting a favourite team), but you’ll also receive fundraising updates and tee times that are convenient for you.
Consider Therapy
If you’re really determined to stop betting, you may want to consider seeking professional help. There are options available, which can help to treat gambling addiction. Some of these are medications, while others are psychological therapies. Which option you decide to try depends on your personal preferences and what works best for you.
If you’ve tried to self-diagnose and treat your addiction with medication, and it hasn’t worked out, it might be time to try something new. There are also different medications available, which can be tailored to treat specific types of gamblers. If you’re keen to try something new and don’t want to take the risk of gambling, you should definitely speak to your doctor about it.
Cut Back On Social Media
Social media can be a breeding ground for gambling addiction, as it allows for instant gratification. If you feel that you’re spending too much time on social media, whether it’s watching content or playing games, you should definitely consider cutting back. Sometimes focusing on something else can help to avoid distractions and temptations, which can in turn help to stop you relapsing.
There are ways to limit your time on social media anyway. You can set specific times when you can use the platform, as well as ensure that you only check it at those times. Additionally, you could consider using an app to block or limit the amount of time that you spend on social media, so that you don’t accidentally access it when you don’t want to.
Avoid The Dark Alleys
If you’re a regular gambler, you’ll know that there are certain places and environments where you’re more likely to lose your money. Whether it’s casinos or betting shops, online gambling websites or even just playing at a friend’s house, there are certain situations where you’re more likely to lose your cash. This is why it’s important to stay away from these places and environments if you want to keep your finances safe.
So, if you’re looking to reduce the harm that gambling can cause your finances and your loved ones, there are simple ways to do it. By setting limits and avoiding certain environments and people, you may be able to stop gambling and live a life free of worry.