GREENSBORO, N.C. — $8.5 Billion.
That's how much Americans will wager on the NCAA men's basketball tournament. It's madness to think people will spend that much!
It could start with an innocent $5, but then the real problems start.
That $5 can easily turn into $10, into $20, into $50, into $100, and for some people they will spend thousands just at a chance of winning it all back.
We take a look at how a simple bet, can quickly turn into a gambling problem.
We all love a good bracket pool.
You put in your 10 dollars to prove your the best and actually winning? It's great! However, experts we spoke with say that great feeling can quickly turn sour if you're not careful.
"Sometimes people can be spending small increments of money but it is what is the thought process and what is the behavior or what are the behaviors that go with the thought process," said Dr. Nannette Funderburk, a psychotherapist at the Social and Emotional Learning Group.
Dr. Funderburk said it's not always about the dollar amount being spent, it's more about the person's behavior that point to a larger problem.
"Trying to stop and not being able to stop. Or being irritable when you can't engage in the behavior. Or having to do it in increasing and more and more amounts," said Dr. Funderburk.
Lying is also a big tell-tell sign something bigger could be going on.
If you feel you might be going through these issue or know someone who might be, you can seek professional help.
There is also a national hotline and a North Carolina number.
Those numbers can be found here.
