Is fantasy football just another form of gambling?

[Corky76 2]

Ok, I used to have a big problem with betting on sports (especially football). I won thousands of dollars on some lucky bets one year and got addicted. After I lost over $5000 on a single game a few years back when the Patriots upset the Rams in the Superbowl I haven't wagered on a game since. Although I still like to pick against the spreads and such - just without money. Anyway, I was pretty depressed after that game for quite a while, kicking myself for being so stupid, blah, blah blah. But I made a vow to not bet on sports anymore ever again and I haven't.

 

I've played fantasy football for years, but it's always been in small $ leaues until this season basically. Last year I won 3 out of the 5 leagues I joined and made about $3000 on a $500 investment in fantasy football. That gave me a little itch to say the least. This year, I am in way too many fantasy leagues and if you total all the money I put into it, it's about $2500. It seems like I'm in pretty good shape as I think I'm going to make the playoffs in all of my leagues except for 1 and should easily make my money back and more than likely profit quite a bit. The problem is, I'm getting that invincible feeling I used to have with wagering on football and I'm already talking about signing up a couple teams in the WCOFF next year.

 

My question is this: Is fantasy football not considered gambling, a controlled form of gambling, or another form of gambling that's simply dumb luck like betting against a point spread? Has anyone ever had a fantasy football addiction similar to gambling?

[mdbomb 5]

My brother in law does. He attends 3 GA mettings a week, and has actually had a relapse recently because football season is the toughest time for him. Fantasy football IS GAMBLING. For that reason, we removed him from the league last year(we're all friends), because like you, it gave him 'that itch' and led to bigger, and in his case worse things. He's lost a lot because of his gambling. My advice to you, is quit fantasy football, and just enjoy the sport without having to worry about any of the outcomes.

[joefry 0]

Yes. It is a form of gambling. $2500 is a lot of money to wager. It depends on how much you can afford to lose. If you are single with a good paying job who cares? It is your own stupidity to lose that money. If you have a family to support, and you don't make that much, you are entering ###### territory.

[Stewburtx8 67]

Yes I agree with you. I know a guy who was in 22 leagues last year and is in 19 leagues this year. I asked why or how he is in soo many leagues and his response was that he does it so that he doesn't bet on games anymore. He has something going on with every game. In my opinion he hasnt kicked his gambling habit at all, he just found a new way to have "action" on the games.

 

I personally participate in fantasy football and bet on some sports, but i like to think they are both controlled. But in the end they are both forms of gambling.

[kutulu 1,545]

What are the odds of this thread going 2 pages?

[Corky76 2]

Yes. It is a form of gambling. $2500 is a lot of money to wager. It depends on how much you can afford to lose. If you are single with a good paying job who cares? It is your own stupidity to lose that money. If you have a family to support, and you don't make that much, you are entering ###### territory.

 

 

I'm not single but I do make good money. We have no children either and my wife makes good money too with combined income of over 100K/year which is why $2500 isn't that big of deal. My fear is - $2500 could lead to $10,000 next year and $25,000 the following although that really doesn't seem likely. The good thing about fantasy football is that you have basically a month where you draft all your team and you're stuck with that for the year. It's not like when I was putting up crazy wagers and then if I'd lose I would say "well, I'll get my money back next week" and then lay twice as much money down only to lose that too.

 

FYI though - when I lost $5000 on the Rams I was single and only made about 25K a year then. That was stoopid

[nflocd 0]

I'd classify it as a form of gambling. But it's really much more manageable than a casino. For the most part, you know what you're getting in to at the beginning since the entrance fee is prob the biggest cost (though if you have a transaction fee and do a lot of transactions, like me, it can get a little more pricey). But the main difference is that your money does not just last a few hours or a weekend, it lasts all season.

[Sgt_Russia 0]

There's no question in my mind that fantasy football is gambling. I guess if you're in a free league, then it wouldn't be gambling, but what good luck finding a competitive free league.

 

Not that I want to sound like Dr Phil, but it sounds like your on a slippery slope. It sounds like you feel FFB is gambling, which is the only answer that counts. As long as you can keep things in perspective and limit your 'gambling' to FFB, I don't see any reason not to continue.

 

I'm not a psychologist nor am I am gambling expert (but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night) so take my advise with a grain of salt.

[RoadLizard 73]

Sure it is. You are "betting" that the players you have selected and started wil score more points than your opponents. No different than betting on a poker hand. If your guys score more, aka create a higher "hand" then you win that week and get closer to the Super Bowl prize.

 

Of course if you play in leagues without money then it is NOT gambling unless there is another tangible product or service being awarded or offered up as barter. Like "The Team with the worst record at the end of the year has to mow everyones lawn the following summer".

[WHODAT in AZ 0]

I think you should have a $1000 budget every year to spend on Fantasy football. When you win take $1000 of your winnings and put it away for the next year.

 

Control it, no matter what never go above $1000. You need to set a limit and stick to it. Fantasy Football is a lot of fun, and I think if you limit yourself to a set dollar amount to spend on fantasy football every year you will get control of your gambling problem.

 

I think it's more like playing the stock market. Luckily it's only 6 months out of the year. Only play fantasy football don't get into other fantasy sports.

[n_omarley 11]

it sounds to me like you already know the answer, and know what you should do.

 

best of luck

[natomasb 0]

I am a gambler and have been a gambler all of my life. There is no doubt in my mind that FF is gambling.

 

The only contribution I have to the conversation is to ask you to consider things other than the money. Many gamblers confront their addiction when the monetary losses become more than than can handle. However, it is not just the money, it is your time and energy. IMHO, the loss of time spent with family and friends and the failure to cultivate other relationships and interests can be a greater loss than the money.

[jocstrap 8]

I'm going with a hobby. I'm in three money leagues (400, 200, 100). I look forward to sitting on the couch every Sunday, Sept - December. My wife know's I'm here, and I'm the built in babysitter for my two kids every Sunday. It's much cheaper than say a golf membership, boat, or whatever other hobbies are out there. My hobby lasts for four months and there is a chance I make a % of it back, or even make a profit some years.

 

It does consume way too much of my time mentally during the week though. Always trying to make the right move. That is where the gambling type of addiction comes in I suppose.

[Milwalkeysbeast 0]

Take the edge off gambling with a nice drink or a cigarette