More women hooked on gambling

Sun Herald ^ | Apr. 21, 2005 | By BRAD CAIN

[WKB]

SALEM, Ore. - Maryann started gambling 10 years ago, playing video poker machines in hotel restaurants in Oregon as she traveled for her job.

"It got so any place I would see a lottery sign and that was a restaurant or other place that was comfortable, I would play," said the woman, who is in her 40s.

She figures she lost $60,000 on video poker before admitting she had a problem and enrolling in a gambling-addiction treatment program.

Maryann, who doesn't want her last name used, is among a growing number of women across the nation who are getting hooked on gambling.

Nationwide, men make up two-thirds of problem gamblers. But that may be changing in states where video gambling is no further away than a corner deli or tavern.

Video gambling machines have particular appeal to women, said Rachel Volberg, a Massachusetts researcher who has studied problem gambling.

"The games are a lot less intimidating for women to play," Volberg said. "You don't have to sit at a card table and have men making jokes about 'the little woman learning how to gamble."'

Oregon is one of nine states that allow games such as video poker and electronic keno in bars, taverns and other retail outlets apart from casinos.

The National Council on Problem Gambling says there's been an uptick in compulsive gambling by women in those states with widespread "convenience" gambling.

"As electronic gaming devices spread throughout the country, we are seeing greater numbers of women with gambling problems," said Keith Whyte, executive director of the Washington-based group.

Part of the reason is that the games often are located in brightly lit, attractive places such as coffee shops, delis and bowling alleys, not just in smoke-filled bars and taverns, Whyte said.

"Women feel comfortable in these places," he said.

Few states with widely available video gambling have conducted studies to track rates of compulsive gambling among women, Volberg said. But officials in several of those states said there's no doubt that a "feminization" of gambling is taking place.

In Louisiana, where there are 10,000 video gambling terminals at 3,000 locations statewide, 57 percent of the calls to that state's gambling addiction hotline are from women.

"The video machines are everywhere," says Reece Middleton of the Louisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling. "It's no wonder we've got women in trouble

[Pete-R-Bilt]

allowing you to shove the stick in the next higher gear.

Shove is such an ugly word, can we use something easier to palette like place, coax or my personal favorite

insert fully

[DManA]

Have a GREAT day.

[B4Ranch]

Company rigs or O/O?

[blackie]

Comany rigs ~ union job.

[blam]

"You don't have to sit at a card table and have men making jokes about 'the little woman learning how to gamble."'

Right. I think it has more to do about going head to head with men.

[SuziQ]

Empower America was right. You shouldn't have casinos available everywhere. It is way too much of a temptation for folks to gamble the rent and grocery money. I think of state lotteries the same way. Bill Bennett however, had the disposable income to waste on gambling. As far as I know, his family wasn't living out of their car while he was gambling.

Don't worry, I'm sure Elaine taught him how cows eat cabbage once word got out about his activities. ;o)

It also put the lie to that splashy commercial about "What happens here, stays here." I guess that's true only if someone isn't a well known conservative.

[mugs99]

Empower America was right. You shouldn't have casinos available everywhere.

Gambling is a local issue. If voters in your state don't want casinos, let them decide at the ballot box. It is none of the federal goverments business. Empower America wants to give control to the federal government, and that is unconstitutional.

Bill Bennett however, had the disposable income to waste on gambling

It does not matter if he does or does not have the disposable income. Goverment is not our parents. It is not up to government to decide how Bill Bennett or I spend our money. Adults are responsible for their own actions. Bill supports dictating how others can spend their money while he is free to sqaunder his as he wishes.

Bill lectured others on proper morals while he enjoyed his vice in secret. That's the same as Rush railing against potheads while he's hooked on downers or O'Reilly opining against loose sexual morals while he makes a secret out of court settlement with the girl who accused him of making perverted sexual advances.

If you're going to claim the moral high ground, you'd better have those high morals yourself.

I guess that's true only if someone isn't a well known conservative

That's true when someone keeps their end of the deal. Playing on both sides of the street will get you run over every time...conservative or liberal.

[dixiechick2000]

Thanks, blackie!
I appreciate the info.
I'd hate to sound dumb at the track.

It's been good to see my fellow
need-for-speedster. ;o)

[gulfcoast6]

Casinos put more Army-Navy stores out of business in our state than any other business. Legalized it and folks stopped buying those army blankets to throw dice on in a darkened alley.

I was in law enforcement when they legalized liquor, never thought they would. I then saw the gambling legalized, never thought it would pass in our state, it did. NOW---If ONLY the politicians could learn how to spend the tax money coming from them.

[blackie]

I've never done any sanctioned competition outside of autocross racing in my Lotus Super 7 back in the early 60's.

I've competed with professional motorcycle racers riding dirt bikes on fire roads and mountain roads, back in the 60's, 70's and 80's. Also impromptu street racing over the years with all kinds of pro's semi pro's and other crazies like myself.

In fact, last Fall I was riding the back roads Jimmie Moore who is a pro AMA road racer and another young stud. In the twisties the young stud and I were were hanging (much to his surprise) together, when we hit the straights, Jimmie left us as he was riding a Suzuki GSX-R 1000 and we were riding (the young stud had a SV650/S which has a fairing, clip on bars and rear sets) Suzuki SV650's which have half the HP of GSX-R. Jimmie was hitting over 160 and we were doing 130+ according to my buddy, I was too busy hanging on as any speed over 115 on an unfaired bike really tugs at the old carcass. ;)

I'll be 75 in October, maybe I'm getting too old for this kinda stuff, but you just can't beat the adrenaline rush and as long as my reflexes, hand/eye coordination and eyesight are good I'll continue to ride.

Still a rebel after all these years. ;)

[dixiechick2000]

"I'll be 75 in October, maybe I'm getting too old for this kinda stuff, but you just can't beat the adrenaline rush and as long as my reflexes, hand/eye coordination and eyesight are good I'll continue to ride."


I know exactly what you mean.
The speed, and the challenge, is like a runner's high.
I'll be doing it as long as I can, too.
I'm hooked, so I don't think I'll have a choice...


"Still a rebel after all these years. ;)"


Ya' never outgrow that. ;o)
Ain't it great!

[blackie]

"Ya' never outgrow that. ;o)
Ain't it great!

Roger that dixiechick2000! ;)

[pollyg107]

I'm with you. I earn some very nice spending money every year playing video. I purchased Bob Dancer's training software and learned to play perfectly. I only play for small stakes (quarter machines), but I really enjoy it.

[pollyg107]

Um, there aren't any casinos in Jackson, Mississippi.