Risks of Sports Betting During March Madness

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CLEVELAND - With the first round of March Madness starting, casinos and sports betting sites are sure to be flooded with fans placing bets on their favorite teams. 

While gambling may seem like harmless fun, it can quickly become addicting. 

“There are neurotransmitters, neurochemicals in the brain that we know from both human studies and animal studies that can be released in very influential amounts when certain conditions are met,” explained David Streem, MD, addiction psychiatrist for Cleveland Clinic. “Humans and other primates are wired to like chance and to be attracted by it.”

Dr. Streem said casinos and sports betting sites use all kinds of psychological tactics to lure people in and keep them spending money. 

Even though anyone can develop a gambling addiction, there are certain groups who may be more at risk. 

He said they include people who’ve experienced childhood abuse or neglect, witnessed something traumatic, have impulsive tendencies or find they have extreme emotions when they win or lose a bet. 

Young adults may also be vulnerable, especially now that online sports betting has grown in popularity.

“I think exposure to kids when the brain is still developing, and remember the brain keeps developing through our teenage years all the way through until we're about 26 years old. So, as you're exposing kids to these sorts of conditioning signals at these ages of brain development, is that going to affect how their brains develop? Absolutely,” said Dr. Streem. 

If you’re concerned that you may have a gambling problem, Dr. Streemsuggests talking with your healthcare provider or a mental health professional.