Gambling's Stratospheric Rise in the U.S. -- What are the Real Risks? Tell Us What YOU Think!
by www.SixWise.com
In 2004, 37.4 million people succumbed to the glitz, glamour
and gambling that Las Vegas is famous for - its highest numbers
ever.
"2004 was a great year," said Kevin Bagger, research
director for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.
Of the people who went, 87 percent gambled (an average of
3.3 hours a day) and budgeted $545 for gaming, up from $491
in 2003.
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In 1931, Nevada became the first state to legalize
casinos. Now, 48 states have some form of legal gambling.
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But Las Vegas isn't the only place where the gambling business
is booming. In Atlantic City, New Jersey the "total casino
win" increased 7.6 percent between 2003 and 2004 to reach
$4.8 billion, up from $4.5 billion. And nationwide, gambling
-- in the form of casinos, horse racing, lottery, bingo, online
gaming and more -- is becoming more popular.
The gross gambling revenue in the United States rose from
$58.2 billion in 1999 to $72.9 billion in 2004, according
to the American Gaming Association. Association. Las Vegas
casinos alone brought in $6.1 billion that year.
Gambling is an Ancient Sport
In the United States, the first state to legalize casinos
was, of course, Nevada in 1931. Other casinos weren't legalized
again until 1978 in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
But humans have been drawn to gaming long before. More than
4,000-year-old dice have been found inside Egyptian pyramids,
for instance, and horse racing and betting can be traced back
over 2,000 years. There were casinos in ancient Roman times,
located in resorts near natural spas. Even the Christian Bible
mentions gambling.
Today, 48 states have some form of legal gambling. Hawaii
and Utah are the only two that don't (Hawaii does allow legal
social gambling). Of these, 36 states have legalized casino
gambling (riverboat, commercial or on Indian reservations)
and Internet gambling is already an $11-billion business worldwide
-- and growing fast.
Is Gambling a Panacea or a Problem?
Those who favor gambling view it as a fun type of recreation,
a hobby, a way to add a little excitement to their lives.
And most state governments see it as an easy way to make money
-- money they say will be turned around to make better communities
and schools.
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You May be Addicted to Gambling If
...
 The
National Council on Problem Gambling has compiled this
list of signs that point to gambling addiction:
- Increasing preoccupation with gambling
- A need to bet more money more frequently
- Restlessness or irritability when attempting to
stop
- "Chasing" losses
- Loss of control manifested by continuation of the
gambling behavior in spite of mounting, serious, negative
consequences
- Financial problems/ruin
- Legal problems
- Loss of career and family
- Attempted suicide
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem,
contact your local Gambler's
Anonymous for help
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"Whether it's video lotteries, casinos, horse racing
or lotteries ... every aspect of gambling has been expanded.
States really need this extra revenue," said Sujit M.
CanagaRetna, a tax and budget expert at the Council of State
Governments.
Illinois, for example, mandates that all its lottery revenues
be used for education. In fiscal 2003, however, lottery sales
brought in $1.59 billion and only $540 million went to education.
The difference was used for winnings and overhead, according
to state representatives.
Those who are against gambling say it brings in crime, gambling
addictions and other social problems, which may even cost
more than the extra revenue it generates.
The Honolulu Police Department says that gambling is not
legal in Hawaii because, "Gambling exploits those who
can least afford it, and undermines community values."
They say that 15.4 million Americans are problem or pathological
gamblers, with more than half of them between the ages of
12 and 18. As for some of the social and economic costs of
gambling, they list:
- Unemployment benefits
- Welfare benefits
- Physical and mental health problems
- Theft
- Embezzlement
- Bankruptcy
- Suicide
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- Child abuse and neglect
- Domestic abuse
- Divorce
- Incarceration
- Work absences
- Homelessness
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Please
Let Us Know What YOU Think!
Select answers will be published in the forthcoming
issue of the SixWise.com e-newsletter!*
*NOTE:
Your answer, or an excerpt thereof, may be published in
a forthcoming issue of the SixWise.com e-newsletter and
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select answers! |
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Sources
Gambling
Magazine
Forbes:
Atlantic City is Dangerous and Depraved
Gambling
Law US
Gambling:
Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2005
National
Council on Problem Gambling
States
Turn to Gambling to Fix Budget Woes