There are many think pieces and advisories on the evils of gambling. But, according to one study published in the Journal of Applied Behavioral Analysis, there’s no need for the moral panic. Betting is a leisure activity. Betting as a hobby has existed for centuries and has often been associated with feelings of joy, excitement, and social bonding. Thinking of betting this way allows us to understand gambling’s social and emotional impacts better. Let’s review some of the ways responsible betting may be good for you.

Betting improves quality of life

You’re happier when you have some level of control over your life. According to a phenomenological study of people over 55 who bet and play casino, autonomy is one of the biggest benefits of gambling. Popular betting platforms like Betway give you choices. They let you pick a favorite game, set betting limits, choose when to enter or leave a betting market, and more. These decisions create purpose and give you control over your hobby, allowing you to dictate when, where, and how you bet.

Additionally, many older people with mobility problems find online gambling accessible because they don’t have to travel to play, say, poker. This accessibility gives them control over their leisure activities and creates autonomy, which is often lacking in old age.

It creates anticipation and excitement

Risk is a key part of betting, and according to experts, it creates excitement. Betting is risky because it involves staking real money for an outcome no one can fully predict. When you place a bet on a platform like Betway, you create a high-tension situation where anything can happen. This charged moment generates excitement and suspense, a fact confirmed by fMRI research on avid bettors. And if you can handle the excitement, betting as a hobby becomes a source of joy and anticipation, even when you lose.

It bonds people together

This is arguably the most crucial benefit of betting. Betting and gambling create affiliation. Whether you walk into the same casino every day or play poker online every two weeks, meeting like-minded people in casino lobbies becomes very easy. This is the very reason social gambling exists in online betting platforms.

A few years ago, betting operators identified an ingrained need for bettors to interact with each other and responded by adding chatrooms, leaderboards, and other social elements to their casinos. This interaction creates a sense of belonging, which is key to human happiness.

Betting helps you detach and deal with stress

Life can quickly get out of hand emotionally, especially if you don’t have an escape. For many bettors, gambling is a chance to detach from the everyday stresses of life and do something casual and meaningless for a while. Think about it. If you’re only betting with money you don’t mind losing, betting loses most of its stressful qualities. You can then relax and enjoy the colorful themes, interesting storylines, and engaging mechanics.

Final thoughts

A few years ago, it was easy to dismiss betting as a niche activity with a few dedicated fans. However, changes in technology and innovation have turned it into a multi-billion-dollar industry, with bookmakers like Betway commanding millions of subscribers. With such widespread acceptance, highlighting and encouraging the positive aspects of betting is more crucial than ever. As a bettor, this means learning to gamble responsibly and set limits.