I am frequently
contacted by reporters and television associate producers for
information related to individuals with a gambling addiction.
In most cases they are
looking for individuals to step forward and relate how their
lives were impacted by the local gambling establishments. In a
majority of cases, people are not willing to discuss what
happened to them. They fear embarrassment from family and
friends and or a chance that they could lose their employment.
I have shared my views
with the reporters and associate producers, but I never ever
hear that my information is shared with their viewers.
I was recently
contacted by BET Nightly News and asked to help them locate
people people's whose lives were affected by gambling. They were
looking for people who lived in their geographic area. I found
five individuals that met the criteria. In all cases they
refused to discuss their own situation or allow someone to
interview them.
I have been fortunate
that I have been put in a position to hear what these people
have to say and long as I agree and guarantee that their names
would never be used I can share their situation.
I have shared these
some of these situations with reporters and associate producers
in hope the message would get out to the politicians. I heard
from one politician that they were trying to pass a law to
prevent people from using their credit cards to buy lottery
tickets and scratch offs. At first I thought this was a joke.
Lawmakers need to see the larger picture. People who want
lottery tickets or scratch offs will get them with or with out a
credit card.
People who live sixty
miles or less are negatively impacted by the gambling
establishments. Hasn't any lawmaker ever realized the Casinos
grow very quickly in size due to the amount of money people
lose. This is money that could be used to boost our economy.
If it were up to me the economy would improve quicker if
Casino's were regulated just like alcohol establishments.
It's been about nine to
ten years since the Casino's opened in Connecticut. People are
no longer spending their money on local businesses or shopping
malls. They are spending their
money at the gambling establishments.
The gambling establishment's operators are very greedy people.
In some states they recently put in penny slots. This was to
attract seniors and lower income families that and individuals
living on Social Security and Pension. They do not care who
they hurt or how many lives are destroyed. Should the
politicians care?
I have asked reporters how come they do not disclose the direct
relationship between the amount of growth a casino has and the
amount of money lost by the people who gamble. What you do hear
from reporters is the person who wins a million dollars. No
mention that the gambling establishments take in more then a
Million dollars a day from slots. It's this distorted view that
sends people down the road to self destruction hoping to win big
just once.
Compulsive gamblers who have had problems have asked the
gambling establishment's to remove their name from there mailing
list so the temptation would be less. The mail stopped and
then during the holiday season they received two free vouchers
for $400.00 and $100.00 to come and buy whatever they wanted
from the stores. Then a few months later they started receiving
free shows and other services being offered. They called and
complained to the gambling establishments and said this was very
inappropriate. The gambling establishment's stated it was an
accident. Was it an accident or not? or was this another
manipulation to get the gambler back?
The one thing I have
learned is the gambling establishments to not discriminate. You
have money they will say take it with a smile.
The political leaders
love the revenues generated by the gambling establishments.
This way they look good to the voters by not having to increase
their taxes. Do the leaders care that the economy is being
negatively affected? My prediction based on my knowledge and
experience in this area is that in less then five years you will
see the devastation caused by gambling establishments. This can
be halted if people are educated and given the truth about this
private addiction.
It's up to the people
to take a stand and hopefully the political leaders will step up
and back these people up.
I am hoping a survey
will be done to track the gambling establishments affect on the
community as a whole. Based on the statistics I have seen
gambling addiction is on the rise and the economy is in
trouble. Is there a relationship? The answer is yes.
