Did you know that the allure to winning a bet and the calming sensation of using nicotine products share similar habit-forming psychological effects? It is important for people who use nicotine to understand the similarities it shares with sports betting and gambling.

• Both can hijack your brain’s reward system: Nicotine activates the parts of your brain that make you feel good, so you feel bad without it. Gambling, including sports betting, can do the same thing. The excitement of betting money and the thrill of winning also activates parts of your brain that make you feel good. This causes some people to continue seeking that feeling by continuing to bet when they feel they should stop.
• Neither is a healthy way to manage stress: People report using nicotine products to help manage stress in their day to day lives. They also report using sports betting to distract themselves from problems in their lives. Other stress management strategies like exercise, meditation or talking to a friend are better ways to manage stress.
• People are more likely to use nicotine or bet if others around them are doing so: Many people report they started using nicotine products because people in their everyday lives use them. The same is true for sports betting; people participate in sports betting with their friends, family members and colleagues who do so. Changing your environment can be an important part of both halting nicotine use and practicing responsible sports betting.
• Both can become habits that are tough to break: Nicotine use can become a habit in people’s day-to-day lives. For example, many people use these products when they have a cup of coffee in the morning, step outside for a break at work or after dinner. Sports betting can also become a habit, where people log into an app and make wagers whenever a game comes on. Changing your routine can be helpful when quitting the use of nicotine products or sports betting. For example, going for a walk after dinner or putting your phone in another room during the big game may help you avoid smoking or betting.
• It’s hard for people to think about the risks of nicotine use or betting accurately: People who use nicotine products often think about their use through rose-colored glasses. For example, they think they won’t experience negative health effects from using these products or think they can easily quit when they are ready. Similarly, people may think about their team’s odds of winning through rose-colored glasses, thinking they are “due” for a win, or their insider knowledge makes them better able to pick a winner than other people.

The great news is that you can enjoy your favorite sporting event without using nicotine products or engaging in sports betting. Plan a party with friends who do not use nicotine products, put your phone in the other room, and enjoy watching the game together with healthy snacks.

If you’re ready to quit the use of nicotine products for good, there are a lot of resources available to help you live a nicotine-free life. You can start by speaking with your healthcare provider or by checking out the tools and resources here.

For more information on the health and wellness impacts of sports betting, visit the Warfighter Wellness website .