Smart Play

"You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take," remarked pro hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, a mantra embraced fervently by sports and casino gaming enthusiasts worldwide. The rush of dopamine and the adrenaline-fueled analysis behind betting can be undeniably compelling - winning at gambling, wherever it occurs, can be considered one of life's greatest pleasures.

As both an addiction therapist and a sportsbook enthusiast, I've witnessed firsthand how friends and family members, including close relatives, can lose sight of boundaries of responsible play. While the highs and lows of gaming can be alluring for some, for others, including myself, the feeling of losing control over game outcomes can be overwhelming, taxing and take a toll on mental health.

However, when this exhilarating high becomes a habitual fix or leads to excessive wagering, the outcome often turns sour. I've observed that enthusiastic sports bettors who exercise prudence in their betting decisions, play the odds wisely, and embrace responsible gambling tend to improve their win/loss ratio—a key objective for any gambler.

Dame Bets offers valuable resources to help individuals bet responsibly. In my column, I will explore the benefits of smart play and responsible gaming, how to manage the rollercoaster of emotions and the effects on mental health. I encourage our readers to take advantage of the informative content available on Dame Bets, to help game with confidence and mindfulness.

By Sam “Smart Play” Spack

About Sam: A recent graduate from Florida Gulf Coast University with a degree in Psychology focusing on behavioral psychology and addiction counseling. Sam has worked as a registered behavioral health tech and aided individuals with autism and who were on the spectrum (ASD).