MVP Draft Room

Responsible Gambling

What you see here

MVP Sports shares picks, opinions and results — including Ricky's accountability tracker, which logs every bet, wins and losses — for entertainment and information only. We don't take wagers, nothing here is a guarantee, and past results don't predict future ones.

21+ and know your local laws

You must be 21 or older (or the legal age where you live) to bet. Sports betting is legal only in some states — check the rules where you are.

Keep it fun

• Set a budget before you bet, and only use money you can afford to lose.
• Never chase losses — a bad day is not a debt you owe yourself.
• Treat it as entertainment, not income.
• Set time and deposit limits — most sportsbooks have them in account settings.
• Don't bet when you're upset, stressed, or have been drinking.
• Track your results honestly. Seeing the real numbers keeps you grounded.

Signs it may be a problem

• Betting more, or more often, to feel the same excitement.
• Hiding your betting, or lying about how much you've spent.
• Borrowing money or missing bills because of gambling.
• Feeling restless or irritable when you try to cut back.
• Gambling getting in the way of work, school or relationships.

More help

• National Council on Problem Gambling — help for you or someone you care about.
• Gamblers Anonymous — free peer support meetings.
• Self-exclusion — most sportsbooks and many states let you block yourself from betting for a set period. Look in your sportsbook's account settings or your state's gaming commission site.