ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — The wait is over. With the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament right around the corner, people all across the state and country are filling out their brackets. Some die-hard fans are even getting ready to place bets. If you are one of those individuals who plan on dipping into the world of online sports betting, there are a few things experts want you to keep in mind in order to be a safe, responsible bettor. The Have A Game Plan.® Bet Responsibly campaign gives five simple tips. Set a budget Keep it social Know the odds Play legally Keep your cool Katie Mibaun, a team leader for the Finger Lakes Problem Gambling Resource Center, has a few tips of her own as well. "Be mindful of how much you're engaging with those apps. There are ways to take timeouts on certain apps that will prevent you from staying on for too long," Mibaun said. "There's also ways to try and limit your spending on those apps." (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File) Since New York legalized betting sites such as FanDuel Sportsbook, ESPN Bet, and DraftKings Sportsbook in 2022, close to $60 million has been wagered in sports betting. With this rise in gambling, Mibaun says it is important to bring awareness to gambling addiction. "Problem gambling is considered a hidden addiction. You can be a problem gambler, and there are no outward signs that people can see you struggling with," Mibaun explained. "And because of that it is often a very isolating feeling, there's a shame and unfortunate stigma that is involved with someone that has a gambling addiction." While the signs of a gambling addiction aren't obvious, they can still be identified. Mibaun said that changes in certain behaviors, such as using sports betting terms or a need to watch every game, may be signs of a developing gambling problem, and may warrant what Mibaun calls an 'open dialogue'. "I truly hope that people who engage in mobile sports betting and gambling in general don't have to utilize us and they don't have to get to the point where they're struggling with their gambling habits", Mibaun said. For more resources on safe and responsible betting: Take a Pause Campaign New York State HOPEline New York State Responsible Gambling DraftKings Responsible Gaming ...read more read less