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Is Gambling An Expensive Pass-Time or Guilty Pleasure?

09 may 2023

Is Gambling An Expensive Pass-Time or Guilty Pleasure?


Are you or someone you know struggling with gambling addiction? With the rise of online gambling and Native American casinos, many people, including teenagers, have fallen victim to compulsive gambling.

According to David Robertson, former chairman of the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling, teenage internet gambling is the fastest-growing addiction of our time, similar to drug and alcohol abuse during the 1930s. He believes that this form of addiction preys on the most vulnerable members of society, namely the young and the poor.

Ed Looney, executive director of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey Inc., warns that sports betting is also a significant problem that is only getting worse. Betting pools in high schools, colleges, and offices across America generate nearly as much money as the Super Bowl. Looney cautions that seemingly innocent office pools often serve as a gateway for individuals to become involved in sports betting, many of which are illegal.

The easy accessibility and opportunity to make 먹튀폴리스 bets online have led many people to gamble compulsively. Kevin O'Neill, deputy director of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, Inc., states that the number of online gambling sites has increased from one to 1,400 in the past six years. He believes that these factors are the main causes of young people falling into problem and compulsive gambling.

According to a study by the National Institute of Mental Health, 4.2 million Americans are addicted to gambling, with 60% earning less than $25,000 a year. If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling addiction, seek help immediately.

According to Gamblers Anonymous, individuals should respond to the following set of twenty questions to assess if they have a gambling problem:

1. Have you ever missed work or school because of gambling?

2. Has gambling ever caused issues in your home life?

3. Has gambling harmed your reputation?

4. Have you felt regretful after gambling?

5. Have you gambled to acquire money to pay off debts or solve financial difficulties?

6. Has gambling negatively impacted your ambition or efficiency?

7. After losing money, did you feel compelled to return to win it back as soon as possible?

8. After winning money, did you feel a strong urge to return and win more?

9. Have you gambled until you had no more money left?

10. Have you ever borrowed money to finance your gambling?

11. Have you sold things to finance your gambling?

12. Have you hesitated to spend your gambling winnings on regular expenses?

13. Has gambling made you neglect your own or your family's well-being?

14. Have you gambled for longer than intended?

15. Have you gambled to escape stress or problems?

16. Have you considered or committed illegal activities to finance gambling?

17. Has gambling affected your ability to sleep?

18. Do arguments or frustrations make you want to gamble?

19. Have you ever celebrated good fortune by gambling for a few hours?

20. Have you considered self-harm or suicide because of your gambling?

Deepak Chopra, MD, suggests that addiction is the top illness of modern society. If someone answered "Yes" to seven or more of these questions, they may have a problem with compulsive or problematic gambling.