I was scrolling on X before kickoff of the Capital One Orange Bowl between Notre Dame and Penn State when I keyed in on a post. A sports betting account reported “breaking news” that Penn State was now favored by a point, a flip after Notre Dame had been favored by the same number all week. It was interesting to me that this was seen as a newsworthy post. In what was already considered a “pick-em” game, with as close to even as sports lines can be, is this as massive of a line move as the oddsmakers want us to think it is?

When I first turned the necessary age to wager on sporting events, I thought I was going to be a pro. I know sports really well, I repeated told myself. All I have to do is study a little bit and follow the right people and I will make a fortune. But nothing in life is ever that easy. The way oddsmakers create their lines messes with your head. Lines might be too “strong” or so astronomically high that they make you want to stay away, even if you feel certain. The process can be very addictive.

I would argue that gambling, especially sports gambling, is just as addictive, if not more addictive, than any other form of the disease. And as more states continue to legalize it, with 38 states along with Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico having legalized sports wagering in some form, more people will have more access to this potential addiction with just a few taps on their phones.

I gambled on sports for three years, off and on. I never placed massive bets but spent a lot of time and effort on trying to make the best bets. I would win as many as I lost, and it was easy to see why people loved doing it so much. It made more games worth watching and enhanced the thrill. Nothing felt better than picking the right spread, or choosing who will score a touchdown. But after being close to even on my wagers, I realized there is no point. This should be something I do because it is fun and there are financial possibilities. After just a few years, placing bets felt more like work and no fun at all.

So I stopped. Why risk the money if I was struggling to make any?

I had started to create sports content and a podcast (Promotional announcement: Audible Sports Cast new content coming soon) and knew there were better ways to use my time. I still enjoy talking about sports betting. But I know I do not want to get my hands dirty with that again. As I continue down this path of a professional career in sports, gambling is not something I should be doing, anyway.

As I prepare to cover the College Football Playoff National Championship, my energy should be directed at sharing the stories about the players from Ohio State and Notre Dame, not profiting from them.

With mental health issues reaching a crisis point, this addiction can do unimaginable damage. NCAA President Charlie Baker has discussed potential dangers for student athletes. Way too many athletes get direct messages from fans when their bets do not hit. There is already so much pressure that collegiate athletes endure; this does not need to be another source of stress.

While some might argue gambling has made the games more relevant than ever, where do we draw the line? With active athletes appearing in commercials, and sports wagering apps constantly promoted in game broadcasts, when will we say enough is enough?

When I was at the Miami airport waiting for our return flight to Indianapolis, the National Football League Wild Card game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Houston Texans was on screens throughout the airport. During the third quarter, Chargers safety Derwin James leaped over Texans tight end Dalton Schultz for an apparent interception in the end zone. Someone watching nearby was noticeably excited by the play. But the excitement suddenly turned to rage after the play was called back when James could not control the ball going to the ground. I had to wonder: Was this a Chargers fan, or did he have money on the game?

If you choose to bet, please bet responsibly. And if you question any aspect of your behavior, please call a sports gambling hotline or a trusted person.

It can be fun, but it is easy to go off the deep end.

By Jeffery Green | @Jeffery_AGreen