Win Some and Lose Some
One hour away. Sloan, Iowa. Winna Vegas Casino. We like to say it’s a fun way to get away from college life, hang out with friends, and attempt to add a little extra to the pocket books. Many kids attending Buena Vista University have made at least one trip to the Winna Vegas Casino. This casino is 70 miles from Storm Lake and the age requirement to gain admittance is only eighteen. As an alternative to drinking or the bar scene, individuals view gambling as a relaxing and entertaining past time. However, we recently encountered an article by Pathlights entitled “The Case Against Gambling”. Apparently what we thought was a fun night out, is causing otherwise good citizens to perish under the gambling
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These are all statistics regarding to the negative aspect of gambling. Is there anything positive about gambling? At this point one wouldn’t think so.
Besides stating the fact that gambling puts money in the wrong hands and that the chances of winning are not very good, Pathlights goes on to say that gambling causes many other problems that are destroying America. Compulsive gamblers are likely to have been married three or more times because of the problems gambling brings home to the household. The suicide rate for spouses of compulsive gamblers is one hundred-fifty times higher than the national average. It is estimated that the average compulsive gambler affects four to ten other people, especially the children. Twenty-five percent of compulsive gambler’s kids show behavioral or adjustment problems in school, use alcohol and other drugs, or are arrested (PATHLIGHTS). Pathlights makes a strong argument defying gambling. Gambling seems to be an impossible way to earn money and the money spent at casinos could be used for programs that are clearly more important. Also, gambling is a downfall to society. It causes family problems and affects the children of gamblers. Is there really a positive side to gambling?
Gambling Is The Answer
One of the main reasons that Pathlights does not support gambling is because money is not used in the right programs. America citizens want to see programs such
While a few argue gambling is just a way for the government to manipulate citizens and exploit them, in actuality gambling is a fun way to make some dough. And the money is not the only prize up for grabs, gambling also provides an enjoyable way to pass time. It also helps fund publicly funded activities, such
From this study the economic impact of gambling helped unemployment to decrease. People got off welfare and got a job, then bought health insurance. The Legalizing of gambling would help the creation of new jobs which would drop the unemployment rate that would give more revenue to the state which is a positive effect.
Before discussing what the states policy on gambling should be, one must first become familiar with the definition of gambling. Gambling is defined as “the activity or practice of playing at a game of chance for money or other stakes”. When people hear the word gambling, casinos, lotteries, and online gambling websites are what is most often thought of, however, these are not the only types of gambling. People can gamble throughout a variety of fashions, such as virtual gambling on tablets or smartphones, scratch cards, and sports betting, and as stated in the definition, does not always have to be for money. Often people gamble without even realizing that they are gambling, and many start off at such a young age. In varying forms, the
Gambling is seen as a psychological problem affecting millions of Americans across the country. It is estimated that 20 million Americans have or could develop gambling problems, and about half of these are young adults. Gambling is sometimes connected to spouse and child abuse, bankruptcy, mental breakdowns, substance abuse, theft, divorce, and suicide. It is estimated that people are twice as likely to be a problem or pathological gambler if a casino is within 50 miles of their home. Citizens will also experience alcohol-related problems, as the casinos will be permitted to sell or provide complimentary alcoholic beverages during all hours that they operate (Amend. 5, Sect. 10E).
Twenty-one is the premier age an individual turns in order to try first hand at gambling in the United States, unless eighteen and on vacation on a cruise ship. Gambling brings suspense, excitement, enjoyment and most of all, money, to those who participate. Although the excitement of hitting “blackjack,” wears off after the weeks following a twenty-first birthday, the downside can last a life time. Gambling has become an overnight sensation and continues to grow throughout the United States and around the world. The addicting highs of gambling have consumed numerous individuals towards downward spirals and tribulations. Some researchers, and psychologists, suggest that gambling is a victimless crime, however,
“The state Department of Health and Mental Hygiene conducted a study before the first Maryland casino opened in 2010, and published it in 2011. They found that nearly 90 percent of Marylanders had gambled, and that 3.4 percent were either pathological gamblers or problem gamblers.” (Massimo) There has been numerous stories of addicted gamblers in debt, gamblers that have lost family and friends from their addictions. There was a man $400,000 in debt, his wife threw him out of the house and told him he could not see his kids again unless he gave up gambling. Also, another gambler went on a 48 hour binge without sleeping and barely eating. A woman faced a jail term for stealing $135,000 to feed her gambling
Gambling is all around the United States, and it can be a dangerous game for families. Many casino’s find gambling as a profit for their Company, since many people from around the United States will come to their casino and try to win it big with their own money. Gambling has been around for many years and a statement made by Worldcasinodirectory.com, stated “To begin with, gambling did not originate in the US- it came to this country with immigrants from Europe, Asia- especially China, and other parts of the world.” The United States was just another victim of an ongoing addiction. By, understanding how gambling reached the borders of The United States, how a notorious gang leader started the empire of gambling, and how an addiction pushes people to their limits, can help understand how gambling has become such a demanding element in a society.
Gambling has been a popular activity in the United States from the 1600’s to the present day United States. As gambling grows as a worldwide enterprise, it expands the United States with the opportunities it provides and the attention it consumes. Gambling as a whole benefits different recreational activities and events such as sports. Gambling also allows people visiting places like Las Vegas to enjoy playing poker with friends and even winning money after a game of poker or Slot Machine. Gambling allows many activities to be expanded to their full potential and offer people the full
When people talk about Las Vegas, the first word coming to the mind must be gambling. Gambling industry (casino) is the obvious city element in Las Vegas, and it has already been a form of entertainment in people’s life. Casinos make Las Vegas become to one of the biggest tourism urban cities in United States. There are more than forty millions tourists coming to Las Vegas every year, because casino plays an important leading role in economy in many different aspects such as catering industry, sightseeing tour, hotels and so on. There are more than 76 casinos in Las Vegas, and each of them has their own wonderful hotel, restaurants and entertainment facilities.
Gambling in the words of McLean and Yoder (2005) "means risking something of value, usually money, on an event that has an unknown outcome." In the opinion of the authors, gambling can assume various forms including but not in any way limited to "casino games, betting on sporting events, playing bingo, buying raffle tickets, and playing lotteries" (McLean and Yoder, 2005). Over time, gambling has grown in popularity with the same being legalized in many jurisdictions across the world. However, those opposed to gambling and the legalization of the same continue to cite various reasons in an attempt to backup their assertions. One of the reasons cited by those opposed to gambling according to McLean and Yoder (2005) is that the costs of gambling easily outweigh the benefits associated with the same. This argument advances the idea that the interests of the society override those of an individual. Thus the
Studies show gambling as a source of jobs and tax revenues, and the activity is seen as entertainment for the public. The spread of gambling across the United States has not taken business from Las Vegas; it has only stimulated a greater boom for our region’s economy. Three inventions allowed gambling in America to expand into a major
Specific Purpose: To argue against how gambling should be allowed in all cities because it helps generate more income, allows for more jobs and helps struggling cities.
Gambling addiction is an issue found in numerous areas where gambling is legal. People who are addicted to gambling, also know as problem gamblers, face many health risks including depression, suicidal thoughts, loss of sleep, loss of appetite, migraine and anxiety in addition to marriage breakdown, problems at work and bankruptcy (9). About 2 percent of adults are thought to be problem gamblers (1). In today’s society this costly addiction is not often considered to be a common problem among those who gamble. Only a small amount of states in the U.S. give enough attention toward this rising problem of people that are sometimes even willing to commit crimes just to aid their addiction. In the past our
From commercial casinos to lottery tickets to off-track betting, it is easier to gamble today than ever before. While the government promotes the gambling industry to supplement tax revenues, it has not allocated
Casinos are all throughout the country, but are they a positive influence for our society? Our economy? There are people on all sides of this issue; some people have difficulty determining the reasons behind legalizing gambling in the first place. In a panel data analysis done by Doug Walker and John Jackson, gambling is legalized to offer other opportunities for states to increase revenue (Walker and Jackson 1). This explains why legalizing gambling is important to state governments, saying states need different revenue options and that gambling would help with an increase in revenue for the states.