The modern, tricked-out sportsbook apps that now live on the mobile screens of more than 20 million U.S. adults not only allow for a dizzying array of bets, but come equipped with a level-headed menu of controls meant to keep recreation from spiraling into addiction.
Users can set limits on how much money they can deposit into their betting accounts in a day, week or month; how much they can wager over those spans; how large a wager they can place; and how long they can spend on the app before being locked out.
In a nod to free choice, sportsbooks allow them to change those self-imposed limits, but will institute those changes only after 24 hours — or in the case of FanDuel, 72 hours — a safeguard meant to keep overly hopeful, or desperate, moments from clouding a bettor’s judgment.
