Subjects:
Has gambling affected your reputation?
Do you often gamble until your last dollar is gone?
Do you ever borrow to finance your gambling?
After a win do you have a strong urge to return and win more?
A compulsive gambler will often reply yes to most of these questions, but many
simply wont admit the fact that they have a problem. Admitting that their
behaviour is compulsive is like accepting defeat. Gamblers spend most of their
time trying to win, so giving in doesn・t come easy. Gambling has been seen as a
problem in society, ever since it was made legal in Nevada and Atlantic City in
1976. Since then, pro-gambling lobbyists have fought to get a form of legalized
gambling in every state, but the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling
has prevailed. In 1987 however, the Supreme Court ruled that Native Americans,
who are without state regulation, could offer legal gambling far outside Indian
reservations. This decision has contributed to the rising numbers of compulsive
gamblers in many states. More than 6% of adult gamblers are now considered to be
addicted, and the numbers are continuing to grow. At present, Americans will
wager over 550 billion dollars a year, a!
. . .
also the equivalent of ：tolerance； when gamblers have to increase the size of
their bets or the odds against them in order to create the desired amount of
excitement. in Horn 5)
The main idea that these proposals all touch on is that the amount of money
gamblers play with should be controlled. ； Perhaps in
the near future these compromises might allow gamblers to have their fun; the
government to collect a tax on the revenues; and the casinos to collect big
profits. ；
Other causes of gambling are not directly related to the mental addiction
created by the ：high. ：Is there a cure for America・s gambling addiction?； USA
Today
Magazine May 1999: 1-5
Lesieur, Henry R.
The effects of compulsive gambling on society are very negative. Compulsive gamblers will continue to bet
money with the belief that they will eventually win big and get themselves out
of debt. Sometimes there are winners, but many times the jackpot
rolls over to the next week. State lotteries are a good example of portraying the idea
of winning big.
Gambling establishments also have policies which worsen the extent of compulsive
gamblers・ debts. The
National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling has made the following proposals
for federal, state, and local governments:
?h ：Stop the authorization of new gambling establishments and the expansion of
old ones. The tough job of getting the casino industry
to admit to the problems of compulsive gambling (much like the tobacco companies
admitting cigarettes are addictive) should also worked on. Casinos promote their service
as a trendy and fun thing to do with the chance of winning big and solving
gamblers・ problems.
Essay's Topics
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