Watching Others Gamble

Watching Others Gamble

Watching others gamble can be a complex issue for those trying to stop gambling themselves.

There seem to be unlimited opportunities to watch others gamble today.  From casino streamers, to televised poker, to clips all over social media, gambling is everywhere.

If you have friends that gamble, you may also find yourself hearing about their bets at the family cookout, office Happy Hour, or any number of other social gatherings. You may even find yourself being asked to accompany them to the casino while they gamble.  It can be overwhelming.

In this lesson, we’ll explore how watching others gamble can affect us, and the factors to consider when deciding for yourself how to handle it.

How Do You Handle It?

Deciding how you handle watching others gamble largely depends on how it affects you personally.

Some find that observing gambling, even from a distance, triggers their own desires to gamble, making it more challenging to stay on track with their goals. For others, it may not be an issue.

Consider how it makes you feel and whether it tempts you to gamble. If you find it heightens your cravings or makes quitting more challenging, it's best to avoid such content.

Practical Exercise

Not sure how it makes you feel?  Here’s a great exercise. Start by finding a quiet space and a journal or a digital note-taking tool.

Note your current emotional state. How are you feeling today? Are you experiencing any cravings or urges related to gambling?

Write down the types of gambling-related content you typically watch. This could include casino streams, poker tournaments, sports betting events, or any other forms of gambling content.

For each type of content you listed, evaluate how it affects you emotionally and mentally. Consider the following questions:

• Do these events trigger cravings or urges to gamble?

• How do you feel while watching these videos? Are you excited, anxious, or stressed?

• Does it make you reminisce about your past gambling experiences?

• Does it feel like a healthy and enjoyable activity, or does it hinder your recovery efforts?

Finally, estimate how much time you typically spend watching gambling-related content in a week.

Once you have this information in hand, it’s time to reflect on the impact of your findings, and decide what you’re going to do.

Let's Reflect

Does watching this content support my goals?  How so?

Are there any negative consequences or triggers associated with watching this content?

Based on your reflection, you might choose to:

• Reduce the time spent on such content.

• Completely avoid it for a specific period to assess its impact on you.

• Seek alternative forms of entertainment or educational content.

We always encourage you to discuss your findings and decisions with a trusted friend or professional for additional insights.

The Bottom Line:

Only you can decide what is right for you.  

If you notice yourself slipping into feelings or habits that you’re trying to avoid, you should avoid the activity.