Gambling: Harmless Fun or Dreaded Addiction?

[THUNDER HANDS]

I'm a guy who likes going down to Atlantic City every now and then to plunk down some money in the slots.

I get a nice rush out of it. I drink a few free kamakazi's and at the end of the day, I maybe go home with a few extra bucks.

Where's the harm?

:shrug:

So what's your opinion of gambling, (ie) Casinos, bingo, lotto, ect.

I like it.

[GOPisEvil]

1. Just like any other vice; fun in moderation, horrible when an addiction.

It's all about your perspective.

[THUNDER HANDS]

3. and if they were gonna build a casino near your house

would you be for it or against it?

[GOPisEvil]

9. I'd be against it, but not because of what it is or who would go there.

I wouldn't like the additional traffic.

Where I grew up there was a horse track nearby which allowed gambling, and there's a track a few miles from me now. I don't notice a "criminal element" in those direct areas.

[quispquake]

10. Actually, we're voting for that today...

Up in Maine, they are having a Casino referendum today...

I have to admit, I'm leaving it blank...yes, I agree that people should be able to have a casino, but do I want one in my back yard? No...so, I'm somewhere in the middle, so I figure a blank answer sums up where I'm at with this...

pp23

[grannylib]

4. Agreed...wonder when Bill Bennett....

will add some gambling stories to his "Book of *snort* Virtues"

[Zero Gravitas]

2. You need another option

I personaly am not interested in gambling. For most it is a harmless pass time, but for a few it is destructively addictive. So its is both harmless fun and a dreaded addiction.

[HEyHEY]

5. my buddy lost $16,000 by age 20

I'd say it's an addiction

He doesn't gamble anymore

[THUNDER HANDS]

6. what'd he lose it on?

And what was the money...his college tuition?

[HEyHEY]

8. lost it on blackjack and roulet

not all in one night

He racked up his credit cards, spent all his paychecks that kind of thing.

[radwriter0555]

22. On the other hand a friend bought his TX ranch in cash with his poker

winnings. The ranch cost more than $250,000.

He's a professional player, keep in mind. But as opposed to an addiction, it's a skill he set about to diligently learn.

He increases his income by five digits annually. Formula is simple. When he's losing, he gets up from the table.

[mainegreen]

7. Evil

I cant believe its even legal.
The absolutely quickest way to line the pockets of the rich with the money of the poor.

[quispquake]

13. So I take it...

...you're voting 'NO' on question 2??? (Casino referendum here in Maine).

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[mainegreen]

15. No on 2 and 3

Voted absentee and nixed both of them.
Vigorously!

[radwriter0555]

11. I LOVE gambling. I'll place bets on anything. I LOVE poker

and have done a couple tournements. But I like blackjack the best.. horseracing is good fun too.

Who wants to meet up in VEGAS?

[GOPisEvil]

12. Dammit! I knew I should have gone out for the Breeder's Cup!

We could have had a blast! Argh!

I'm really into horse racing, but I'm decent at black jack too. Although, I've never been to Vegas. :shrug:

[THUNDER HANDS]

14. awww, I'd love that

I'm planning on vacationing there next summer.

Ever been there?

[radwriter0555]

23. I go to Vegas to win money, not to vacation... There isn't anything there

I want to "see" other than the blackjack and poker tables in downtown! That and the buffet at Silvertons, all the crab legs you can eat.. ya gotta love it.

For vacations I go to sandy beaches or europe, Vegas is where I go to earn the money for the vacations! Yeee HAW!

[TrogL]

16. I work bingos for charity and feel sad

Week after week, I see the same people sitting there plonking down $50-60 for the various cards 9-12 regular, 3-6 "bonus", 3-6 satellite, 3-6 each of two "bonanzas" and "odd and even".

They rarely win and it's usually $10, not enough to make their nut.

Perversely, some people win bingo after bingo.

Many of these people could really use the money for food or clothing.

[THUNDER HANDS]

17. question

I play bingo sometimes. It seems to be the people with the computer terminals do better than the people with the cards.

Is this true...are those computers rigged?

[mainegreen]

18. Would you give Republicans campaign donations?

No?

How about big business?

Not them either?

Then why gamble? Its the same thing! Except with Rockettes! (I like the Rockettes though!)

[Zero Gravitas]

20. This is true

Gambling (especially big casinos) is the most efficeint way yet of transfering money from poor/middle class people to the already very rich.

[GOPisEvil]

21. Gambling as entertainment.

The money I spend gambling per year would likely go to some other form of entertainment, and also into the pockets of someone very rich.

I will grant that casino gambling is heavily tilted in favor of the house, which is why I stick to horse racing mostly. At least with the ponies, you're competing against the other betters, not the house.

[bif]

19. Depends on the person

Just like with booze--one person's pleasure is another person's curse.

[soothsayer]

24. fun fun fun

and i'd love a casino in my back yard, yessiree.

I like voluntary taxation alot more than mandatory.

[Whitacre D_WI]

25. A little from column A, a little from column B...

Just like Sweet Sister Alcohol!

[Kolesar]

26. Dreadfully boring

I suppose I'd play cards if I was marooned on an island or stuck in jail. Casinos are for old blue haired ladies with limited mathematical understanding of odds.