Understand How Gambling Works
Gambling involves uncertainty. Understanding how games and chance work
can help you make more informed choices and Play with a Plan.
New to sports betting or casino? Start with the basics.
Know What Can Influence Your Decisions
Wins, losses, and close calls can shape how we think about what might happen next. Recognizing common thought patterns can help put those moments in perspective.
CHASING LOSSES
Continuing to play or wagering more in an attempt to win back money you've already lost.
A previous loss doesn't change what happens next. The next game, spin, or bet takes on additional risk.
HOT STREAK THINKING
Feeling more confident about what will happen next because you've recently been winning.
A winning streak can feel meaningful, but previous wins don't guarantee another one. Each new wager comes with its own uncertainty and risk.
GAMBLER'S FALLACY
Believing a positive outcome is "due" because of what happened before.
A slot hasn't paid out recently. A player hasn't scored in 5 games. Patterns like these can feel meaningful, but when outcomes are independent, previous results don't change the probability of what happens next.
NEAR-MISS EFFECT
When getting close to winning makes continuing to play feel more appealing.
Missing a parlay by one leg or seeing symbols land just short of a winning combination can feel like you're getting closer to a win. But a near miss is still a loss — and it doesn't make the next outcome more likely to be a win.
OVERCONFIDENCE
Feeling more certain about an outcome than the available information supports.
Knowing a sport, team or game can help you make a more informed decision. It can't eliminate uncertainty or guarantee an outcome.
ILLUSION OF CONTROL
Feeling like your decisions or strategy can control an uncertain outcome.
You can't control every outcome. But there are important things you can control — including how much you deposit, how much you wager, how long you play and when you stop.
What do I want to spend?
Choose an amount you're comfortable spending on entertainment, without risking money needed for bills, everyday expenses, or other priorities.
Decide before you play and keep that amount in mind whether you're winning or losing.
Want a reminder along the way?
Set a Deposit Limit to get notified when your deposits reach an amount you choose.
How much time do I want to spend?
Think about how gambling fits into your day and choose a stopping point before you start.
Making that decision ahead of time can help you keep track of how long you want to play.
Want help sticking to your plan?
Set a Time Limit to choose how much time you can spend playing over a set period.
What will tell me I'm done?
Decide what "done" looks like before you start. It might be reaching the amount you planned to spend, hitting your stopping time or simply deciding you've played enough.
Check In With Your Plan
A plan only works if you check in with it.
Review your activity from time to time and ask whether your play still matches the decisions you made
before you started.
View My Spend to see your recent deposit and wagering activity.
Test Your Thinking
How well do you know the facts? Explore some common assumptions about gambling and how it works.
"I've lost several times, so I'm due for a win."
MYTH
Previous losses don't make a future win more likely. When outcomes are independent, each outcome has its own probability regardless of what happened before.
"I'm on a winning streak, so I should keep going."
MYTH
A streak doesn't guarantee what happens next. Previous wins don't make the next wager more likely to win.
"Knowing more about sports can help me make a more informed decision."
FACT
Knowledge and research can help inform your decisions. They can't remove uncertainty or guarantee an outcome.
"If I keep playing, I can win my losses back."
MYTH
Continuing to gamble doesn't guarantee you'll recover what you've lost. Continuing to play also means taking on additional risk and another opportunity to lose.
"There are parts of gambling I can control."
FACT
You can't control every outcome, but you can control many of the decisions around your play — including how much you deposit, how much you wager, how long you play and when you stop.
Watch this video to learn more about casino games,
chance and what to keep in mind when you play.
Check in with your play
Making a plan is important. Checking in with yourself along the way is too.
• Am I spending more money or time than I planned?
• Am I continuing to play because I'm trying to recover a loss?
• Does my play still fit within the plan I made?
• Am I still enjoying playing?
If your answers have changed, your plan can change too.
SEE YOUR RECENT DEPOSIT AND WAGERING ACTIVITY.
Review your recent activity with My Spend.
ADJUST YOUR LIMITS
Set boundaries around deposits, wagers or time.
TAKE A TIMEOUT OR SELF-EXCLUDE
Step away from play for a period of time.