Let’s not kid ourselves - sports betting is our drug of choice. It provides us with the high we crave. The added stimulation of having money riding on a game compounds the thrill and excitement of watching a sporting contest.

I think many of us hide from the buzz that sports betting gives us. We have been taught that only those with a gambling problem do it because they get a rush from betting. Apparently, normal bettors don’t experience any scintillation whatsoever. Casinos and sportsbooks have no amusement value – its just a place for people to work.

Poppycock!

Do not mistake me, gambling addiction is real and serious.  I do not intend to treat it lightly.  If you have it, it can ruin you.

But let’s look at the situation realistically. Casinos, sportsbooks, horse tracks, dog tracks, etc. exist because it is highly enjoyable to wager a little money on a contest. It brings thrills and excitement to our ordinary lives. Just like dozens of other enjoyable pastimes available to us.

Billions of people drink alcohol and millions smoke a little weed. They are all doing it for the same reason. To catch a little buzz. Do they all have a problem? The short answer to that is “no,” of course. Seeking to catch a high, a buzz, is a natural, normal thing. Its why sex is both recreational and procreational! Do you have a problem if you like sex? If so, where do I sign up for the meetings? 

Let’s keep it real - there’s using and there’s abusing. If you can’t use gambling without abuse, then you need to give it up. But let’s not hide from the buzz that most people can get without abuse. Let’s not pretend that an acceptable level of sports betting isn’t fun. It is fun. Its normal fun. And there is no reason why we should pretend it isn’t a reasonable way to catch a buzz on our recreational time. 

Enjoy the buzz!