Thursday at noon, there's a game on every screen in the bar. The office pool is taking entries. Your phone keeps buzzing with promos for the next big upset. March Madness might be the hardest stretch of the year to stay bet-free, and it lasts for weeks.
Why March Madness is so hard when you're quitting
- The games don't stop on the first weekend. They run from noon to midnight.
- Bracket pools are everywhere: at work, with friends and online.
- Upsets make every game feel like a chance to hit big.
- It goes on for weeks, right through the Final Four.
Are March Madness bracket pools gambling?
If you pay to enter and money goes to the winner, it's a bet. If you're in recovery, the safest move is to skip the paid pools this year. A free bracket with no money on it is a different thing. Just be honest with yourself about whether it pulls you toward betting.
A simple plan for March Madness
- Before Selection Sunday, make sure your blockers are on and your sportsbook accounts are closed.
- Pick a few games to watch instead of all of them.
- Fill the first weekend with other plans.
- Tell your support person this is a risky stretch for you.
- Have a line ready for the office pool: "I'm sitting it out this year." That's all anyone needs to hear.
If games are one of your triggers, My plan adds game day steps, like an if-then plan for tip-off. Start my plan.
FAQ
Can I fill out a bracket if I'm quitting betting?
A free bracket with nothing riding on it can be fine for some people. If it makes you want to bet, skip it this year.
What if I slip during March Madness?
Don't chase it. Block the apps, tell someone today, and read what to do after a relapse on sports betting. One slip doesn't wipe out the work you've done.
Work at a school, team or company? Offer Unbettable to your people.