Sports betting to hedge your emotions — would you? [NOT a recommendation or endorsement]

[Asad T]

In our faith — as in many others — gambling is strictly prohibited. And for good reason. Gambling, including sports betting, has ruined lives, destroyed marriages, and wiped out entire life savings. Betting companies thrive on addiction, and it’s often those who can least afford to lose who suffer the most.

That said, I want to put forward a question — not as a recommendation or endorsement — but as a thought experiment:

Would you ever use sports betting to hedge your emotions?

Let me explain.

Whenever Pakistan plays India — I usually place a small bet on India (typically around USD 100–200). Because if Pakistan loses (as they so often do), the money I win helps cushion the emotional blow. It doesn’t make me happy, but it does help soften the sting. On the flip side, if Pakistan wins, I lose the money — but I’m over the moon over the victory.

So in a way, I win either emotionally or financially. This is the only time I ever place a bet — no other matches, no betting addiction, nothing beyond this narrow ritual.

I know this might sound contradictory or even hypocritical, especially given the moral issues around gambling. But I’m genuinely curious:

Is this still immoral if the intent isn't greed, but emotional hedging? Or is the risk too high of it leading down an addictive rabbit hole?

I’d love to hear your thoughts — especially from those who, like me, are torn between passion for the game and the pain that sometimes comes with it.

 

[Rajdeep]

Good thread. I am a gambler and do sports betting a lot, especially in horse racing and football. There is no harm in hedging your emotions with a bet as well as long as the money you are betting, you can afford to lose. For example, in the 3rd test between Eng v Ind, I bet on Eng win in between the game when India was favorite in the market. The bet money was very less and even if I lose I wouldnt bother. Infact, I would have been glad if Eng had lost, atleast that would mean my team i.e India won trading against my miniscule money. However, when England won...I was upset but atleast I got paid. So there is a different feeling on emotional bets.

I dont bet often in cricket as I am mostly into horse racing and football. During Royal Ascot and Cheltenham, I go full monty. Even do ante post betting in a lot cases. Bet a lot during premier league matches as well.

So to answer OPs question, sports betting against your emotions is something many does. However, not many talks about it.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

No I don't do it. Firstly for religious reasons. You cannot find any form of happiness in this activity. Secondly, I would find it odd to bet against my team, I can't imagine a scenario where I can benefit from their loss, I have to support them until the fat lady sings.

I don't think humans should try to "hedge" emotions especially using addictive things like gambling. Life is full of ups and downs and experiencing the lows make the highs taste sweeter.

Losing a cricket match does make you sad, but its usually only short term, if your long term happiness becomes tied to sporting performance, or gambling ( both are something you can't control the result of), it will lead to psychological issues. If you feel yourself becoming overly sad if your team loses then do something more healthy to moderate your emotions, take your kids to the park, visit elderly relative, go for a walk with your wife. Life is too short to worry about minor things for too long, remember you are probably already living someone else's dream life.

 

[IMMY69]

Do any thing, but don't gamble...

Once you're hooked everyone will suffer around you..

That's my advice

 

[Technics 1210]

You may not do it, or agree with it, but if you have managed investments (Pensions, SIPPs) the professionals do do it.

So in my view if any one has a problem with hedging then look at your managed investments.

There is a difference between gambling and betting.

Gambling is known as a blackbox investment - meaning you got no idea of the influencing factors etc - for example betting on a sports match.

Betting is known as a whitebox investment - meaning you know exactly what influences it, but have no direct control over it. Example, inflation causes a currency to weaken so hedge against Gold.

Everything we do in life has risk associated with it. Getting up in the morning and going to work has a risk, travelling in a commercial airliner, even going to the gym, you may have an accident etc. this is exactly how insurance companies price up premiums.

Everything has risk, its the probability that determines cost.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

You may not do it, or agree with it, but if you have managed investments (Pensions, SIPPs) the professionals do do it.

So in my view if any one has a problem with hedging then look at your managed investments.

There is a difference between gambling and betting.

Gambling is known as a blackbox investment - meaning you got no idea of the influencing factors etc - for example betting on a sports match.

Betting is known as a whitebox investment - meaning you know exactly what influences it, but have no direct control over it. Example, inflation causes a currency to weaken so hedge against Gold.

Everything we do in life has risk associated with it. Getting up in the morning and going to work has a risk, travelling in a commercial airliner, even going to the gym, you may have an accident etc. this is exactly how insurance companies price up premiums.

Everything has risk, its the probability that determines cost.

Good insight.

I don't disagree with hedging as a concept, just not a fan of "emotional" hedging and tying a potential financial win to your own well being.

If you use any form of gambling to control your emotions it's a slippery slope.....

 

[oatmeal]

I dont gamble. Only 3% of gamblers make any meaningful money out of it. Its extremely difficult to come out in the black when the only ones making money do this for a job with complicated mathematical models and non public information. Its not a huge emotional hedge for me too. It was different when I was younger. But nowadays the disappointment of losses barely lasts a day because there is so much else going on in life that I just get over it quicky

But I love playing NFL Fantasy leagues. These are £10-25 for the entire season so not a massive financial burden. And they are played with groups of friends or strangers with group chats and banter back and forth. It also makes me invested in all the games , not just the ones my team is playing i. I have made around £500 on this over the years that I dont withdraw , I just use it for the next year's membership charges

 

[Local.Dada]

True story- I am not much of a gambler but tried sports betting during WT20 after the odds I would have missed out during Pak-USA where a lot of my friends made money.

Initially I saw the odds on Pak were very good like $1 to $3 so I decided to bet on Pak win for emotional edge. I thought , If I lose money, I will still he happy with India win, if I am sad with an India loss, then the winnings will make up for it.

So I bet a small amount (according to my aukaat) on Pak at the start. By the mid innings , I was offered by the betting app to cash out for 1-1.5 odds meaning I will at least get $1.50 for every $1. I was so disgusted with Indian batting that I cashed out, turned off my TV and went about with my routine.

In the end, double dhamaka- India win and profit.all is well.

Moral of the story: enjoy the game for what it is and bet for fun if you want (don’t recommend and gamble responsibly if you must) and don’t use emotions

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Any gambling today?

Good thread. I am a gambler and do sports betting a lot, especially in horse racing and football. There is no harm in hedging your emotions with a bet as well as long as the money you are betting, you can afford to lose. For example, in the 3rd test between Eng v Ind, I bet on Eng win in between the game when India was favorite in the market. The bet money was very less and even if I lose I wouldnt bother. Infact, I would have been glad if Eng had lost, atleast that would mean my team i.e India won trading against my miniscule money. However, when England won...I was upset but atleast I got paid. So there is a different feeling on emotional bets.

I dont bet often in cricket as I am mostly into horse racing and football. During Royal Ascot and Cheltenham, I go full monty. Even do ante post betting in a lot cases. Bet a lot during premier league matches as well.

So to answer OPs question, sports betting against your emotions is something many does. However, not many talks about it.

 

[oatmeal]

True story- I am not much of a gambler but tried sports betting during WT20 after the odds I would have missed out during Pak-USA where a lot of my friends made money.

Initially I saw the odds on Pak were very good like $1 to $3 so I decided to bet on Pak win for emotional edge. I thought , If I lose money, I will still he happy with India win, if I am sad with an India loss, then the winnings will make up for it.

So I bet a small amount (according to my aukaat) on Pak at the start. By the mid innings , I was offered by the betting app to cash out for 1-1.5 odds meaning I will at least get $1.50 for every $1. I was so disgusted with Indian batting that I cashed out, turned off my TV and went about with my routine.

In the end, double dhamaka- India win and profit.all is well.

Moral of the story: enjoy the game for what it is and bet for fun if you want (don’t recommend and gamble responsibly if you must) and don’t use emotions

The risk is gambling is a really addictive activity. Many people start thinking they will only wager a fiver , but the dopamine hits become hard to resist.

Worst is the Acca bets which look like you can win £2-3K on a £5 wager . but it needs multiple things to happen which they rarely do. People look at the massive payout and then put money which is just a loss

 

[sweep_shot]

Nope. I never want to do this. It is haram.

 

[RexRex]

Do any thing, but don't gamble...

Once you're hooked everyone will suffer around you..

That's my advice

Do you own stocks ?

Because that is gambling too.

 

[oatmeal]

Nope. I never want to do this. It is haram.

Isnt interest haram too, how do people then navigate life without ever paying or charging interest. So if you buy a car or a home, do you pay upfront

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Isnt interest haram too, how do people then navigate life without ever paying or charging interest. So if you buy a car or a home, do you pay upfront

Many people take loans from family or rent.

 

[oatmeal]

Many people take loans from family or rent.

It would still be really difficult - I mean not everyone can fallback on family who would also be giving you money without any return on it especially for buying a home which requires so much money that even with a mortgage, coming up with a deposit takes people years

 

[Technics 1210]

Good insight.

I don't disagree with hedging as a concept, just not a fan of "emotional" hedging and tying a potential financial win to your own well being.

If you use any form of gambling to control your emotions it's a slippery slope.....

I have a number of short positions hedging my PMs and SIPP.

It's not an emotional hedge, it is insurance.

 

[Local.Dada]

Do you own stocks ?

Because that is gambling too.

If you live in the west and have a proper job, you would need a bank account to get paid. Obviously people do under the table cash jobs etc but I would assume that’s more out of no other option than for some religious mandate. Some random exception is thrown around just for the sake of it looks like. Yeah in some tribal or under developed rural areas I can understand but rest is just hypocritical mumbo-jumbo.

 

[sweep_shot]

Isnt interest haram too, how do people then navigate life without ever paying or charging interest. So if you buy a car or a home, do you pay upfront

I bought my car outright. around $10.5K. Used Honda Civic 2016. Didn't pay any interest.

I have been debt-free since January of 2022. I don't use any credit. I only use debit card.

I never want to buy a house using a conventional mortgage. If I have to buy, I either want to buy outright or I can try one of the Islamic mortgages.

 

[sweep_shot]

Do you own stocks ?

Because that is gambling too.

No. Stock is not gambling. There are many halal stocks and those are sharia-compliant.

Just because you call it gambling doesn't mean it is. Muslim matters are for Islamic scholars to decide; not a sanghi like you.

 

[oatmeal]

I bought my car outright. around $10.5K. Used Honda Civic 2016. Didn't pay any interest.

I have been debt-free since January of 2022. I don't use any credit. I only use debit card.

I never want to buy a house using a conventional mortgage. If I have to buy, I either want to buy outright or I can try one of the Islamic mortgages.

It's a matter of faith but Islamic mortgages just charge interest by other means. A loan is a risk for the lender so they need to make money somehow to justify that risk

 

[oatmeal]

If you live in the west and have a proper job, you would need a bank account to get paid. Obviously people do under the table cash jobs etc but I would assume that’s more out of no other option than for some religious mandate. Some random exception is thrown around just for the sake of it looks like. Yeah in some tribal or under developed rural areas I can understand but rest is just hypocritical mumbo-jumbo.

I don't think bank accounts are prohibited. You just can't earn or pay interest. Many bank accounts don't pay interest

 

[sweep_shot]

It's a matter of faith but Islamic mortgages just charge interest by other means. A loan is a risk for the lender so they need to make money somehow to justify that risk

No. That's your opinion.

There is something called "Islamic finance". Even I don't understand it fully. This is for scholars to figure out.

Difference between Islamic mortgage and conventional mortgage is Islamic mortgage may have fixed fees while conventional mortgage has compound interest.

Fee is okay but compound interest is not okay.

Anyway, you can check this link: https://www.guidanceresidential.com...-is-an-islamic-mortgage-and-how-does-it-work/.

For me, I always want to keep things halal and it is perfectly possible to have halal finance in west if you are disciplined enough.

 

[oatmeal]

No. That's your opinion.

There is something called "Islamic finance". Even I don't understand it fully. This is for scholars to figure out.

Difference between Islamic mortgage and conventional mortgage is Islamic mortgage may have fixed fees while conventional mortgage has compound interest.

Fee is okay but compound interest is not okay.

Anyway, you can check this link: https://www.guidanceresidential.com...-is-an-islamic-mortgage-and-how-does-it-work/.

For me, I always want to keep things halal and it is perfectly possible to have halal finance in west if you are disciplined enough.

Scholars can opine on the structure it how they see fit. this is a matter of faith which is personal.

But at the end of the day it's just interest by another means. When I get a conventional mortgage, the bank knows the entire amortisation structure and the profit it will make. It uses this info to securitise the loan to raise funds.

Banks structure the financial product to fit the letter of the religious text but the spirit of it is impossible to follow in modern society and leading a conventional life

 

[sweep_shot]

Scholars can opine on the structure it how they see fit. this is a matter of faith which is personal.

But at the end of the day it's just interest by another means. When I get a conventional mortgage, the bank knows the entire amortisation structure and the profit it will make. It uses this info to securitise the loan to raise funds.

Banks structure the financial product to fit the letter of the religious text but the spirit of it is impossible to follow in modern society and leading a conventional life

That's your opinion.

When it comes to Islamic matters, I stick to what majority of the scholars say. I go with the majority position.

 

[sweep_shot]

I personally believe sports betting, casinos, and lottos should be criminalized.

Most people lose a lot of money with these. Very harmful for society.

 

[oatmeal]

That's your opinion.

When it comes to Islamic matters, I stick to what majority of the scholars say. I don't listen to any layman (Muslim or non-Muslim).

I am a very orthodox guy whether it is religion, finance, or social matters.

I'm not even making an Islamic point which I don't even know a lot about. It's your prerogative to follow your religion as you see fit

But I do work in finance and I know that field quite well. And the entire global economy runs on interest. It is nigh impossible to live a functional life without paying or earning interest. The banks will book profit from Islamic mortgages the same way they book profit from conventional mortgages. They may securitise it slightly differently but at the end of the day the lender makes money against an asset in a secured loan

 

[topspin]

Whatever you do, do not bet on Misbah to finish off a match for Pakistan particularly in an ICC event.

Same goes for his clone Ifti

 

[Vikram1989]

Worked on a gambling app, knows the horrible stories of few unfortunate guys.it will always gives me spine chilling. On a technical note, they use the latest stuff for the appeal and responsiveness of app.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Root top scorer for England and become 2nd most test scorer this innings 8-1 easy money