PLAY WITH A PLAN
You wouldn’t take the field without a game plan - same goes for betting. Learn how Responsible Gaming can enhance your play.
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Select your state for details. Responsible gaming resources are available in every state.
GAMBLING MYTHS & MISCONCEPTIONS
"Gambling is a good way to make money"
Gambling is risking money on an uncertain outcome. It is meant to be an entertaining activity, not a way to make an income.
"My luck will change if I keep gambling"
The outcome of your wager is independent of your previous bets. Your odds do not change. Some patrons think that because they’ve had a streak of bad luck in the past few games, then they’re bound for a win soon and their luck will change. This isn’t true - there’s no relation between the outcome of a prior bet and the next result.
"I know this game/this team really well, so I’m more likely to win"
You are never guaranteed to win. Some patrons believe that they can come up with a special strategy to win. However, very few people bet with a statistical “edge” when it comes to sports betting. And with casino games of chance (roulette, slot machines, etc.), results are completely random and do not conform to any pattern.
If I don’t gamble everyday, I don’t have a problem
Gambling often can be a sign of gambling issues, but evaluating your own gaming habits and how they impact you is more important.
Wearing my lucky jersey will help me win my bets
Some people feel as though they can control the outcomes of wagers, by, for instance, wearing their lucky jersey, or playing a certain online slot machine. These types of behaviors won’t influence the outcome in any way.
Online casino games are “rigged” when I lose
Fanatics Casino uses Random Number Generators (RNGs) that ensure fairness and unpredictability. While losing streaks can feel frustrating, outcomes aren’t manipulated—they’re the result of chance within strict regulatory standards.
Tracking betting influencers or tipsters guarantees better results
While betting communities and tipsters can make predictions sound convincing, no one can accurately forecast outcomes over time. Many “winning systems” shared online highlight short-term results but ignore losses. Always treat these insights as entertainment, not expert advice or a sure thing.
FANATICS PARTNERSHIPS
Birches Health
Fanatics Betting & Gaming has partnered with Birches Health to provide fans with referral services to licensed clinicians specializing in gaming mental health, as well as responsible gaming training and content.
ROGA
Fanatics Betting & Gaming is a founding member of ROGA, a group of major U.S. online gaming companies promoting responsible gaming and empowering consumers with tools to make informed, positive gaming decisions.
NCPG
Fanatics Betting & Gaming is a Platinum member of the National Council on Problem Gambling. Fanatics Betting & Gaming and the National Council on Problem Gambling share a similar goal - reduce the impact of gambling related harms.
BetBlocker
Fanatics Betting & Gaming is proud to partner with BetBlocker to help reduce player harm. Take control with this free, anonymous tool that blocks gambling apps & sites. Short break or long-term, it's easy & requires no registration.
RG TIPS & BEST PRACTICES
Budget management is critical
Before placing any bets, it is important to determine how much you are able to budget toward sports betting and gambling overall. This betting budget needs to be an amount that you can afford to lose without any impact on your financial health.
Don’t deviate from your standard bet size
Related to budgeting, choosing and sticking to a standard bet size is also very important. This should be your usual amount for a single wager. Being disciplined with your standard bet and never over-extending with larger wagers should allow you to continue betting without losing your entire budget. This connects directly with the idea of “sustainable play,” as maintaining a conservative bet size will allow you to sustain your gaming activities without needing to make the decision of either stopping betting or replenishing your account by depositing additional funds.
Your financial wellbeing should never depend on sports betting
Sports betting should be seen as a form of entertainment, not a profit-making activity. Placing a bet can help increase your engagement with an event by giving you an extra rooting interest, but your financial health should never be impacted by it. The outcome of your bets should not ever affect your ability to pay bills or afford basic life expenses. Only bet with extra discretionary funds that can be lost without any impact on your finances.
Never chase losses
One of the most common at-risk gambling behaviors seen by counselors at Birches Health is “chasing” losses, which involves betting more (more bets and/or larger amounts) in an attempt to win back what was lost. Some bettors will rationalize this as feeling “due” for a win. However, bettors often lose the additional wagers too. As those losses compound, some end up losing more than they can afford, resulting in financial problems. Therefore, you should never chase losses; simply accept them as the cost of entertainment and move on.
Set limits in the Fanatics Sportsbook app
One of the most common at-risk gambling behaviors seen by counselors at Birches Health is “chasing” losses, which involves betting more (more bets and/or larger amounts) in an attempt to win back what was lost. Some bettors will rationalize this as feeling “due” for a win. However, bettors often lose the additional wagers too. As those losses compound, some end up losing more than they can afford, resulting in financial problems. Therefore, you should never chase losses; simply accept them as the cost of entertainment and move on.
Don’t bet under the influence
You should never place sports bets while under the influence. Your decision-making skills and risk-assessment abilities are critically important when betting, so it’s important to only bet with a clear mind.
No such thing as a sure thing
There is no such thing as a “lock” or “guarantee” in sports betting. There is an incredibly high number of variables that can impact the outcomes of sporting events and make it difficult to predict their outcomes correctly, so no bet is ever guaranteed to win.
Learn the rules beforehand
Be sure to have a strong understanding of both the rules of the sporting event you’re betting on and the “House Rules” of Fanatics Sportsbook in your state. Be sure to do research beforehand to avoid surprises when your bets are graded
Never borrow to bet
If you don’t have the funds needed to bet, you should not be betting in the first place. Betting with borrowed money to gamble is extremely risky and can often result in debts that you are unable to pay.
Don’t bet more on big events
Make sure the excitement of a big sporting event doesn’t lead to increased betting risk. It is important to stay disciplined and not increase your overall exposure for these types of popular events in the sports calendar. Increased risk can result in heavier losses than anticipated, so be sure to avoid wagering more than usual.
Avoid gambling in a highly emotional state
Feeling stressed? Upset? Anxious? If the answer to any of these is “yes,” you should not be betting. Highly emotional states can make it difficult to evaluate risk clearly and properly.