Gambaling In America The Dirty little Secret

Has anyone else in this country noticed how bad gambaling has gotten in this country? I am refering to casino type gambaling and its growth across the country. I live in wisconsin where we have had casinos for quite a few years and it just amazes me the problems it causes on a daily basis. The number of people that I know with serious problems is far more than let on to be by supporters of gambaling. On a daily basis we have embezelment fraud and bankruptcy in our area by problem gambalers. The number of elderly that are now destitute because they have spent all of there savings,maxed their cards and mortaged their homes is very sad. Has anyone else noticed this and do you also see it as a mojor problem?

GAMBLING is not the problem here.

Stupid people are.

There are all sorts of legal activities than can get you in trouble if you dont know what you're doing. Most of these people you talk about are just addicts. Like alcoholics and junkies they are addicted to GAMBLING. Just like there are people who are addicted to shopping, food, or etc...etc..

Like I said the activity itself is not the problem here. It's people who can't control themselves. It's their fault and no one else's.

It's about time people start taking responsibility for their own actions.

I don't necessarily see it as a major problem, because if its not gambling it will be drugs, drinking, etc. I think just about every person has a vice or semi-addiction that is unhealthy. For some of us its caffiene, others its smoking; the list could go on. Sad thing is that people take things to excess and end up making a huge mess, but then that seems to be human nature, or at least to me.

There are also a lot of fights over it.... Well we cant do anything about it. We cant make it illegal, just make it more strict.

Gambling is not that big a problem.

Some people make their living in the poker rooms and have become very successful.

I've heard of stories of homeless people building a bankroll and having enough money and they don't need to work a day of their life.

Well there has to be something for all those little ol blue haired ladies to do with their retirement money since gramps kicked the bucket and the kids are all idiots.


Seriously though, consider the odds.

You want to open a casino, and it takes an act of god, and the commissioners pockets padded (stuffed actually).

But if a state wants a lottery, all it has to do is praise the help the schools will get.

Now consider the odds... lottery has the absalute worst.

And the states, that control the lotteries, do the approving and regulating of casino's.

Makes ya wonder.

[edit on 7-6-2004 by smirkley]

Gambling is addictive and it is best to stay away front it If you don't have money don't Gamble.

Has anybody notice how the internet is full of gambling sites with adware that re route your computer to their web sites. I have a friend that got so addicted to these gambling sites that her husband took away their computer from their home.

All of your post so far are true and I agree with you, it is just that I see bigger problems down the road that will affect all of us. Of all of the addictions I have seen over the years this ranks up at the top with Heroin becuse of the secracy and manipulation it brings about. I would think there should be daily spending limits but I know people could get around that to.

we dont have gambling in nebraska but theres always people complaing that there should or shouldnt be gambling.

Please, next we'll be denying Grandma her weekly Bingo games...

I read somewhere that people with ADD tend to get addicted to gambling, especially with the mindless slot machine type of gambling. I don't like the atmosphere of casinos. They're filled with zombie like people, especially the ones playing the slot machines. But I don't mind lotteries. A few bucks every so often isn't going to kill you.