When you don’t want to gamble, it’s okay to say no. If you find it awkward or difficult not to gamble, this article offers some ways of making it more comfortable to opt out of gambling.
What to Say When You Don’t Want to Gamble
Sometimes people decide they don’t want to gamble but aren’t sure what to say when the people around them invite them, or maybe even pressure them, to participate. We live in a world where it is common to choose a non-alcoholic beer or cocktail. The same should be true for being able to socialize without gambling. Here are some ideas for how you can respond when people encourage you to gamble and you don’t want to.
I’m Not Gambling Today
It can feel easier to say you’re not gambling today because it seems more casual than saying you don’t gamble at all. You could also do a No Bet November and forego gambling for the month.
“I’m not gambling today.”
“I’m doing a No Bet November.”
Once you get used to saying you’re not gambling during a specific time, you may become more comfortable with simply not gambling when you decide not to and sticking with your choice.
I Set Limits
If you preset limits for the amount of time or money you’ll spend gambling, when people ask you to gamble, you can let them know you’ve reached your limit.
“I’ve done my betting for this month. Maybe next month.”
“I only bet on the weekends.”
“I spent my gambling money on the game last weekend. Maybe I’ll join in the betting next time.”
When you set limits, you’re controlling your gambling. Gambling isn’t controlling you. That’s something to be proud of.
I’m Saving My Money
Every dollar you spend gambling is a dollar you can’t use for something else. So if you have other personal and financial goals, when people ask you to gamble, you can let you know what you’re using your money for instead.
“I’m saving up for a down payment on a house, so no gambling for me until I’m a homeowner.”
“I want to buy an engagement ring for my partner soon. I’m betting on my relationship, not sports.”
“I want to go to the beach this summer. So all my spare cash is going in my vacation fund.”
When you’re excited about a savings goal, it’s easier to opt out of betting.
It’s All About the Game
Some people find sports betting exciting…but it can also distract you from the game. If you love sports, you can give all your attention to the game when you skip the betting.
“It’s all about the game for me. I don’t want to be distracted by my bets.”
“I don’t have time for betting. All my attention goes to the game.”
“I love basketball. For me, betting just isn’t as exciting as the game.”
When you’re focused on the game, there’s no need to be distracted by gambling or pressured into gambling.
I’m Not Into Gambling
If you don’t like gambling, you can just say so. You don’t owe anyone an excuse or explanation for not gambling.
“I’m not that into gambling.”
“Gambling’s not for me.”
“Gambling isn’t my thing.”
“I don’t gamble.”
I Respect Your Choice and Appreciate You Respecting Mine
Sometimes people may push back on your decision not to gamble and pressure you to join in. In that case, you may want to be assertive and direct in setting the expectation that they respect your choice, just as you respect theirs.
“I respect your choice to gamble. And I appreciate you respecting my choice not to.”
“Gambling isn’t for me. I respect you to do your own thing, and I appreciate you respecting me to do my own thing.”
You can make it clear that your decision not to gamble is about you and not them. Friends can make different choices and still respect each other.
Tools to Make It Easier Not to Gamble
If you want to take a break from gambling for a little while, or if you want to quit gambling altogether, there are some tools that can make it easier.
Ad and Content Blocking
Some people find that seeing gambling-related ads and content online and in social media increases their urge to gamble. The Gambling Clinic’s Ad and Content Blocking Guide provides step-by-step instructions for limiting the gambling-related content you see.
Set Limits in Sports Betting Apps
Sports betting apps are generally required to allow customers to set limits for themselves, like deposit limits, loss limits, time limits, and wagering limits. This lets you decide in advance how much time and money you’re willing to spend gambling. Then, once you’ve reached the limit you set, the app will keep you from betting more. You can usually find these settings in the Responsible Gambling area of the app.
Self-Exclusion and Timeouts
If you want to limit your gambling further, you can use self-exclusion. When you self-exclude from a sports betting app or casino, you’re telling the operator not to let you play. Typically, you can choose how many years you want your self-exclusion to last. The Gambling Clinic’s Self-Exclusion Guide provides instructions for self-excluding from sports betting apps and fantasy sports in Tennessee. Mississippi and Virginia allow you to self-exclude from casinos as well.
To limit your ability to gamble for a shorter period of time, many sportsbooks allow you to take a “timeout,” which is essentially a shorter-term self-exclusion.
If you know you don’t want to gamble for a while, self-exclusion and timeouts are great tools for committing to your decision.
What to Do Instead of Gambling
If you want to gamble less, consider what you’d like to do more. You can identify another activity you value and would like to invest your time and money in, instead of gambling.
Maybe you’ve been wanting to take up a new hobby or return to a hobby that you loved before you spent your time gambling. Woodworking, painting, playing the guitar, pickup basketball, pickleball, gardening, hiking, playing cards, cooking, reading. There are so many hobbies to choose from!
If you’ve been meaning to get in shape, you could commit to going to the gym after work. You’ll have more time for that if you’re not going to the casino every evening.
You might want to get on track financially. You could pick up a second job, like driving for a rideshare service. That’s a much more reliable source of income than gambling.
In considering an activity to spend more time on, it can be helpful to reflect on what purpose gambling serves for you, and then look for other activities that can serve that purpose. For instance, if you typically watch games and sports bet with friends, you and your buddies could all agree to leave your phones at home and just watch the game and hang out. If you gamble when you’re stressed, you could identify other activities that help you release your stress or take your mind off your problems. For example, you could consider going for a walk or a run, playing basketball, or going to a movie. If you like the thrill of gambling, you could consider playing trivia at your neighborhood pizza parlor, going to see live sports, or watching scary movies.
It can also be helpful to focus on activities that you can’t do while gambling, like cycling, hiking in an area without cell service, playing tennis, or taking an improv class.
Skipping gambling leaves more time and money for other activities you enjoy. Plus it can be easier to resist the urge to gamble when you have other satisfying ways of spending your time.
Conclusion
If you don’t want to gamble, there are ways to make it easier to stick to that decision and ways to hold your ground if others pressure you to gamble. We hope this article has given you some ideas for what to say or do when you decide you’re not gambling.
If you’d like to quit or cut down on gambling but are struggling to do so, contact The Gambling Clinic. We can help you get control of your gambling so you’re in charge of your decisions about what you do with your time and money.
What to Do Instead of Gambling
If you want to gamble less, consider what you’d like to do more. You can identify another activity you value and would like to invest your time and money in, instead of gambling.
Maybe you’ve been wanting to take up a new hobby or return to a hobby that you loved before you spent your time gambling. Woodworking, painting, playing the guitar, pickup basketball, pickleball, gardening, hiking, playing cards, cooking, reading. There are so many hobbies to choose from!
If you’ve been meaning to get in shape, you could commit to going to the gym after work. You’ll have more time for that if you’re not going to the casino every evening.
You might want to get on track financially. You could pick up a second job, like driving for a rideshare service. That’s a much more reliable source of income than gambling.
In considering an activity to spend more time on, it can be helpful to reflect on what purpose gambling serves for you, and then look for other activities that can serve that purpose. For instance, if you typically watch games and sports bet with friends, you and your buddies could all agree to leave your phones at home and just watch the game and hang out. If you gamble when you’re stressed, you could identify other activities that help you release your stress or take your mind off your problems. For example, you could consider going for a walk or a run, playing basketball, or going to a movie. If you like the thrill of gambling, you could consider playing trivia at your neighborhood pizza parlor, going to see live sports, or watching scary movies.
It can also be helpful to focus on activities that you can’t do while gambling, like cycling, hiking in an area without cell service, playing tennis, or taking an improv class.
Skipping gambling leaves more time and money for other activities you enjoy. Plus it can be easier to resist the urge to gamble when you have other satisfying ways of spending your time.
Conclusion
If you don’t want to gamble, there are ways to make it easier to stick to that decision and ways to hold your ground if others pressure you to gamble. We hope this article has given you some ideas for what to say or do when you decide you’re not gambling.
If you’d like to quit or cut down on gambling but are struggling to do so, contact The Gambling Clinic. We can help you get control of your gambling so you’re in charge of your decisions about what you do with your time and money.
