Posted on 12/22/2002 5:05:33 PM PST by hoosierskypilot
GAMBLING'S allure has always been the prospect of fast action and easy money.
And with the explosion of legalized gaming in Kentucky and Indiana during the past decade and a half, more and more people are being consumed by it.
People like Caleb Cooley, a Pikeville, Ky., accountant who stole from clients and served time for theft. And like Phyllis Kruer, a Georgetown, Ind., real-estate agent who committed suicide. A golf club for which she served as board secretary alleged she embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars.
While both states have received billions of dollars in gambling revenue that has paid for such things as newly paved roads and college scholarships, Indiana has treated fewer than 700 compulsive gamblers -- and Kentucky hasn't set aside any money specifically for treatment.
The Courier-Journal spent six months examining the problems associated with the rising number of compulsive gamblers in the region. It found that gambling-related thefts, embezzlements and bankruptcies are on the rise, as are calls to hot lines. And many families in the region are paying the price.
It found a new player -- Internet gambling -- that experts say might have the most profound effect yet on compulsive gamblers.
It also found other states doing a better job of dealing with the problem.
''Problem gamblers hurt their families, businesses and hurt themselves,'' said Rick Redman, the Kentucky Lottery Corp.'s vice president for public affairs. ''It's a small percentage of people out there who have a problem . . . (but it's) an issue that's going to have to be addressed.''
(Excerpt) Read more at courierjournal.com ...
Where did you get that figure?
This is the next trial lawyer bonanza.
"I have a gambling problem and the casino gave me free chips and when I lost them I continued and lost all my money." Woe is me.
Its like a liquor store giving free alchohol to an alcoholic to get him started again. I need a lawyer. The casinos must pay up, just like the tobacco makers. - Tom .
Lock up all people, now, for their own good of couese. God save us from the friggin' 'Do-Gooders',please.... Or allow an open season on their ass!
No it doesn't cause it. People cause it themselves by making the CHOICE to gamble. No one holds a gun to their head and force them to put the dollar in the slots. Legal or not it will always be around too. Anyone here play squares? Over under? Poker games? NCAA Brackets? Despite being illegal, it's still done by 99% of the people at one time or another.
That said, I learned my casino lesson by dropping $90 at Soaring Eagle when I was 18. The East part of Mt. Pleasant wasn't built on gamblers winning.
"Now, what did our Commission find? In addition to the conclusions already shared, we were unanimous in calling for more research and for greater efforts to treat afflicted individuals. Gambling entrepreneurs and state treasuries make tremendous profits from compulsive gamblers. In fact, our survey of 530 patrons at gambling establishments around the country found that more than 13 percent were problem or pathological gamblers, while another 18 percent were classified as “at risk.” If those numbers are accurate, 31 percent of all people patronizing casinos and other gambling facilities are in trouble. By contrast, states contribute only a pittance (one-tenth of one percent) of the money they rake in from gambling — a substantial amount of which comes from addicts — to help those harmed by it. It is time that the various gambling entities and the states that feed on troubled individuals begin cleaning up the mess they have created. We hope to help bring about that change."
In Minnesota, we have found most gamblers are from the lower socio-economic groups (especially lottery players) and the incidence of property crimes has been rising ever since we put casinos in.
That's funny. I was 11 or 12 and played chuck-a-luck at the J.C. fair in Indiana. The night before, a 16 year old friend of mine showed me how to turn 50 cents into $3.50. The next night I came back with my life's savings (about $14.00) and lost it all in less than 5 minutes. I have never had the desire to gamble, since.
O.K. Availability doesn't cause compulsive gambling. Availability facilitates it.
BTW, I used to live in Michigan. Where are you?
Interesting analogy, but I heard that in Vegas, the casinos give free drinks to gamblers. If that's true, I should think that diminished capacity falls in there, somewhere.
Good point. Before the casinos went in (I believe it was) New Jersey, the gamblers promised prosperity to the surrounding community. But the surrounding community did not realize jobs, tax benefits, etc. The casinos imported their help, and the neighborhoods deteriorated from the influx of prostitutes, street crime, etc.
Can't argue there.
BTW, I used to live in Michigan. Where are you?
Livingston County - 1/2 way between Lansing and Detroit.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.