It’s one thing for someone who struggles with problematic gambling behavior to abstain from casinos. Sports gambling addiction, on the other hand, is a whole story. It’s more complex because betting activity is tethered to something that individuals have been fans of from adolescence.
Sports fandom in America is a culture and lifestyle. Following the on-field and on-court exploits of elite athletes and their teammates is deeply ingrained into our society, bringing families, friends, and coworkers together, even if in good natured ribbing over allegiance to one team vs another. While this persists for most individuals and households in modern times, a fundamental change occurred in 2018 when the U.S. federal government removed the ban on sports betting. This move was quickly followed by advancements in mobile wagering technology. Now, those who are vulnerable to developing gambling disorder are faced with a threat that is rooted in two passions – online gambling and sports. For these persons, self-exclusion from sports gambling platforms is a start, but it’s generally not enough. Triggers to relapse are everywhere and ready to be squeezed with each passing month of the collegiate and professional sports schedule. It’s why problem gambling helplines report surges in calls around major sporting events. This phenomenon leads to the necessity for problem gamblers to become more mindful of the timetable of triggers. In doing so they can better prepare themselves to abstain from betting.
How can this be accomplished?
In the early stages of recovery, abstinence must apply not just to gambling, but viewing of the more enticing (to bet on) sporting events. While sports gambling addicts who have received effective treatment may one day return to enjoying sports as a viewer, that time is not now for thousands of citizens. While entering treatment today will provide healthy coping strategies to deal with urges, Kindbridge has put together a “gambling addiction calendar” to clearly identify sporting events that are associated with widespread gambling behavior across the country. Appended to each is a recommendation for when to schedule an online session with a counselor beyond those regularly scheduled (as applicable). Further, we have added an itinerary of when to initiate a temporary social/digital media blackout. Prior to each event, social platforms are loaded with direct and indirect prompts to participate in wagering and should be temporarily avoided. For example, just last year, rapper Drake bragged to his social media followers that he was placing a $500,000 bet on the Dallas Mavericks to win the NBA Finals (they lost) and another $500,000 on the Edmonton Oilers win the Stanley Cup (they lost). We offer added advice on how to take a social/digital break right here.
Reference this calendar if you struggle with sports gambling addiction as it will offer greater mindfulness over triggering events to come.
*Note: While the following calendar details the most notable (and triggering) sports betting events in the United States, there are games, matches, bouts, and events to bet on through each and every day of the annum. Those who exhibit severe problematic gambling behavior may require more frequent and ongoing intervention.
Schedule of Sports Betting Events that Threaten to Trigger Gambling Addict Relapse When Trying to Abstain in 2025
FEBRUARY
Trigger Event: NFL Super Bowl
Event Date: Feb 9, 2025
Quick Data: The NFL Super Bowl is effectively the start of the year in the sports betting industry. Approximately 70 million Americans wagered nearly $1.4 billion on the most recent edition. Most wagers come within the 24-hour period leading into kick-off. Of great concern, is that about 89% of Americans use illegal offshore platforms to bet on the game which is very problematic as consumer protections are not in place.
When to Initiate Digital Media Blackout: Feb 4-9, 2025
When to Schedule Online Counseling Session: Feb 8, 2025 (one day before the event)
MARCH
Trigger Event: NCAA March Madness
Event Date: March 16 to April 7, 2025
Quick Data: An estimated 68 million Americans wagered around $15.5 billion on the most recent edition of the NCAA college basketball tournament.
When to Initiate Digital Media Blackout: March 27 (beginning of Sweet 16) to April 7, 2025
When to Schedule Online Counseling Sessions:
- March 15 (one day before Selection Sunday)
- March 26 (one day before Sweet 16)
- April 4 (one day before Final Four)
MAY
Trigger Event: Kentucky Derby
Event Date: May 3, 2025
Quick Data: Americans broke records by betting approximatley $320.5 million on the most recent edition of the Kentucky Derby, indicating an 11% year-over-year increase. While it’s the first race in The Triple Crown series of thoroughbred horse races, the Kentucky Derby is the most wagered upon.
When to Initiate Digital Media Blackout: May 1-3, 2025 (72-hours leading into the event)
When to Schedule Online Counseling Session: May 2, 2025 (one day before the event)
JUNE
Trigger Event: NBA Finals
Event Date: June 5-22, 2025
Quick Data: Data is sparse on how much the nation is betting on the NBA Finals each year. In the most recent championship, LegalSportsBetting.com reported that more than $5 million was wagered per game at Las Vegas sportsbooks alone. Multiply this by each regulated U.S. state and offshore platforms and it becomes clear that American gamblers are spending big on the series.
When to Initiate Digital Media Blackout: June 1 until Game 7 conclusion, 2025
When to Schedule Online Counseling Session: June 4, 2025 (one day before the event)
SEPTEMBER
Trigger Event: NFL Week 1
Event Date: Sept 4, 2025
Quick Data: For the daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting industry in the USA, the greatest volume of new member first-time-deposits (FTDs) and existing member account reloads occur in the 48-hour period leading up to the first game of NFL Week 1. In fact, many sports betting accounts remain dormant between the conclusion of the NBA Finals and NFL Week 1 unless there are special circumstance events in a given year, such as the FIFA World Cup (coming 2026) or the Summer Olympic Games (coming 2028). NFL Week 1 accounts for a very significant portion of the $35 billion that the nation wagers on the league’s full season. Preparations for wagering begin early in the last weekend of August as Fantasy team picks are finalized.
When to Begin Digital Media Blackout: August 29 to September 4, 2025
When to Schedule Online Counseling Session: Sept 3, 2025 (one day before the first game)
OCTOBER
Trigger Event: MLB World Series
Event Date: Final week of October, 2025 (variable)
Quick Data: Data is sparse on how much the nation is betting on the MLB World Series each year. However, the value is expected to be in the hundreds of millions, backed by sports betting influencers such as Mattress Mack who have boasted of single $10 million wagers on his World Series picks.
When to Begin Digital Media Blackout: Final week of October, 2025 (variable)
When to Schedule Online Counseling Session: One day before the first game (variable)
DECEMBER
Trigger Event: College Football Playoff
Event Date: Dec 19, 2025 to Jan 19, 2026
Quick Data: Data is limited on how much the nation is betting on the College Football Playoff (CFP) schedule each year. Prior to the rise of online sports betting in the last five years, ESPN’s conservative estimate was that America wagered over $1 billion on the regulated market, with a large proportion of this being wagered during the month of the CFP. However, with the most recent CFP championship game bringing in single bets as high as $1.5 million, the total that America wagers during the CFP is expected to break records with each passing season.
When to Begin Digital Media Blackout: December 19, 2025, to January 19, 2026
When to Schedule Online Counseling Session:
- December 18, 2025 (one day before 1st Round)
- December 30, 2025 (one day before Quarterfinals bowl games)
- January 7, 2026 (one day before Semifinals bowl games)
- January 18, 2026 (one day before CFP National Championship)
As the calendar indicates, scheduled counseling sessions to coincide with triggering times of the year will be instrumental in your escape from the grip of sports gambling addiction. Access to ongoing treatment is made more accessible through a variety of subscription plans in addition to the fact that Kindbridge has partnered with leading insurers.
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