The High Price Of America's Gambling Addiction

[282Mikado]

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/07/22/the-high-price-of-americas-gambling-addiction/

As state legislators aggressively pursue legalizing gambling to bring in revenue for their states they are doing it at the cost of the social well being of their citizens; and the sad fact is that they know it.

"In 2009 and 2010, officials in 37 states pushed for new or expanded gambling in order to bring in more revenue," says Skolnik. You might say the states have gotten addicted to gambling as a partial cure for what ails their local economies. "There are unprecedented budget gaps. Legislators think gambling is a painless revenue stream that is better than raising taxes or making tough budget cuts," says Skolnik. Politicians can sleep at night because they use some of the revenues to fund programs to prevent and treat gambling addiction. "Essentially, they're admitting that they know they are creating a class of gamblers who become addicts.

But what's touted as good for the economy can be bad for society, and gambling addiction carries a huge price tag. "When the addiction rate increases, so does the cost to society," says Skolnik: Bankruptcies, burglaries and other crimes, spouse abuse, child neglect and abuse, foreclosures and even suicide. It's said that a single bankruptcy directly effects 17 individuals, and gamblers who commit crimes wind up in prison and out of the workforce. The impact of gambling addiction is wide and deep.

When does the cost become too high?

[BlessedChristianlady8]

This is something I will not get addicted too, you can place me in front of a slot machine and 20 mins later I want to go some place else, I get bored highly, I rather spend 3 hours in a preaching service then gamble my money away.

[John81]

For the politicians the price is only too high if it could cost them their election. Otherwise, once they approve of gambling they remain in support of it and are so addicted to the tax income from gambling that they are quick to approve of more gambling.

Gambling doesn't solve the financial problems of states because the politicians don't use the tax revenue from gambling as they promise when they first legalize it. Then, once the politicians get a taste of having all that gambling tax money to spend on their pet projects and agendas, they approve more gambling (once again claiming the taxes from it will solve some financial problem or go to some "worthy need" like education) and then once the tax money comes rolling in they find "better" uses for the money.

It's a continual cycle because the politicians themselves are addicted to getting money for nothing (our taxes) and then spending it as they please on anything under th sun. The only thing they can say is how they always need more tax money. If the quickest way for them to get more tax money is to approve gambling, regardless of the cost to the people, so be it.

[282Mikado]

Gambling doesn't solve the financial problems of states because the politicians don't use the tax revenue from gambling as they promise when they first legalize it.

In fact, it creates more financial problems. The amount of money it takes to treat those negatively impacted by this social disease just puts us further and further into debt. What's worse is that the disease cannot be treated because those in power are the carcinogens responsible for the spread.

I sent this article out to some friends and family and one came back with:

Well I enjoy going to the casino once in a while and playing slot machines so I am glad that gambling is legal. My thoughts are if a person does not approve of gambling then don't go.

My response was as follows:

I agree. My thoughts are also that if a person does not agree with gambling and does not gamble then he/she should not have to pay for the negative impact this vice has on society. The article places this at about $274 per adult annually. Now not every adult gambles so let’s compensate for that and raise the figure to $500 per adult that gambles. A good idea would be to have all those that gamble have to buy an annual license (like a hunting license) that gives them the ability to gamble as they see fit for one year. The cost of that license would be $500. No license – no gamble. That way, you get to gamble, and I don’t have to pay for the social ills that gambling brings upon America.

That would be fair. Me having to pay for the social ills of a vice in which I do not participate is not fair.

The question that arises though is why are so many people willing to sell out there fellow man just so they can have a little fun?

9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:9-10

I am awaiting her response.

[JerryNumbers]

Gambling, like any sin, just causes more problems.

[Guest]

Ohio State QB Art Schlichter is a prime example of what can happen to people who are caught up in gambling and gambling addiction. When he was a young man he had boundless opportunity.

Where is Art today?
ESPN
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The painful saga of ex-Ohio State Buckeyes and Indianapolis Coltsquarterback Art Schlichter came to a close Friday when a federal judge sentenced him to nearly 11 years in prison for scamming participants in what authorities called a million-dollar sports ticket scheme.
AND the State of Ohio recently approved and is engaged in building gambling casinos. So much for learning lessons.

[282Mikado]

U. S. News & World Report carried this interesting assessment of the issue from Harry Reid, Chairman of the Nevada Gambling Control Commission, "Any state trying to follow Nevada's lead will find that social costs far outweigh any economic benefits."

Check that out...from Harry Reid no less!

[Guest]

Check that out...from Harry Reid no less!

Harry Red is a perfect example of those "social costs."