Comments on: Playing the Odds
Add a Comment
- good story, you will see more and more problems come up in our nation as this problem progresses quicker and quicker. I was a gambling addict for 4 years and finally got smart. It will destroy you if you let it. I have maxed out every card, every local loan co, payday cash advances, basically any avenue that will give you money including pawnshops. If any of this sounds familiar you are a addict and need help. I got so sad and depressed i was lucky and was able to get help with the VA. I started out as just a every now and again, no big $, then one day i hit $1000 on a $1 (the first hook). I still was ok gambling wise, it was until later when divorce happened (reason other than gambling). All of a sudden i had my own $ and no one to answer to and free time so I was off, i had big wins and even bigger loses. I would stay in that seat and push that button for 18 hours and still wind up broke. I am proud to say im in recovery and will always be, im lucky cause i finally saw the light and I like it. The casinos here in oklahoma are packed and im a little saddened because i know the casino is winning and the people are losing (losing their life), everyone has different stories but when it comes to gambling addiction they all wind up the same
- Reply to this comment
- The governor says that people will gamble anyway so they might as well gamble with the state. What this really means is that our government embraces the same logic used by drug dealers, loan sharks, and pimps. And they wonder why we're angry. God help us.
- Reply to this comment
- I am a degenerate gambler that relates to the illness of gambling addiction; I am a compulsive gambler. I will never be cured but one day at a time my disease is not active. I placed my last bet on July 15, 1970; 14,758 days ago. My disease has not been cured and it will not be cured until I die (hopefully, not tonight). What ever the statistic of what percentage of problem or compulsive gamblers are in this country must be multiplied by the number of family members, friends, co-workers, clergy & business owners that are effected to realize how devastating gambling can be to our society. Do a study in prison to find out how many criminals are behind bars due to gambling. The white collar crime, the robberies and even prostitution have plenty to due with problem gambling. How many "Ponzi" rip-offs were to give a problem gambler funds to bet? If you have an alcohol or drug problem everyone wants to help you. If you have a gambling problem you get advice "bet less" - "just stop" - "only go once a month"; only by surrendering can a problem gambler begin to start on the road to recovery. How about State Lotto's? Who is the typical customer? One Saturday hang out in a convenience for an hour and you will find that the people that earn $200 - $400 per week are the "best" customers. If you are in a casino, observe the gamblers; do you see anyone smile? How many urinate in their underpants as they cannot remove themselves from the machines to seek relief in the bathroom? How many sit for 20 to 30 hours without eating? How would you like to be on the highway at 7:00 AM one morning when to problem gambler falls asleep in the lane next to you? Why do the casinos only report the suicides of the people that jump from a window or the roof? How many hang themselves, shoot themselves, overdose themselves & slit their wrists? You will not find that in your local newspapers. How many casinos or States direct funds to education, treatment and public awareness of this epidemic problem? What is Governor Rendell going to do when a member of his family has a gambling problem? Probably scream at them for being stupid... What should be done with this growing problem? First, is is OK for people to have some fun gambling, just like going out to diner and show or an amusement park. What do we do with the problem gamblers? If you love them or are good friends, have an intervention and get them some help; if they make a decision to and want to stop, there are many tools to help. From in patient and out patient facilities, therapists to 12-step programs, the problem gambler can begin a recovery and lead a better life. Just don't give them any money, whatever their story is; the best liars are problem gamblers. Would you give an alcoholic a bottle of vodka? Our nation, our elected leaders and the medical profession and our judges have no idea of the devastation that occurs each and every day. Wake up America, wake up.
- Reply to this comment
- When Gov. Rendell said they would loose it anyway, he was wrong. They prey on retired people living on Social Security. I lost everything back in 2003, I mean everything. But while loosing I had many Jackpots, and had a tax bill of 69,000 on winnings that I had lost on the way down ..
I never would have gone, had it not been for the casino that was built near me in Central Minnesota... I would not have gone to NJ or NV...
It's a nasty thing. Very Nasty, and to hear people say it isn't is just not right. - Reply to this comment
- There are a couple of points that need to be made: 1. Leslie Stahl did not do a well-rounded report on this topic matter. She should have explored and reported on compulsive behaviors, and addictive personalities that some people have. Who is the person that get addicted? Just anyone? She didn't, or maybe it was edited out, and this left the viewer without a context for understanding that it takes two to tango. 2. Continuing on that point to this, Rendall, I believe got so upset, because Stahl indeed was not hearing or accepting what he was saying - basically that it doesn't really matter where the casino is, the addictive/compulsive nature in some human beings will seek it (craving) out. This speaks of the "location" or "geographic" solution to people who think they are going to solve their addictions or compulsions (to whatever) by moving elsewhere, to get away from the problem. In this story's case of a casino moving into a city, the addict or compulsive behavior that (chooses to ) engages in this activity, will be fulfilled, regardless of the location; You have the choice to go or not to go down the street, or 1,000 miles away - to Las Vegas. Quoting/citing user "saadell" previous comment: "...elected officials telling us we need to gamble in order to help a community's sagging economy": You have a choice about what you do and think. If you listen and do as the government, or anyone else says (suggests) to do, then you are playing into their game. You have a choice to do, or not to do. If a super center shopping store moves into a neighborhood, is the person going to head to advertisements telling them to go in and spend their money there? Consider the compulsive shopper. A casino brings in revenue, at a cost, but so does gas, alcohol, tobacco, firearms, fast food, etc., etc.
- Reply to this comment
- It is obvious that the governor on the show tonite is a liar. His facial expression showed on the interest in bring in revenue and NO CONCERN FOR HIS PEOPLE. How gambling starts as a fun game. Then like the 2 ladies stated. You play,& play & play small until that hit happens.. You hit the jackpot & then you graduate to high stakes..Then you realize that you can get cash advances form your many credit cards..Then there are those who take their weekly, bi-wkly or once a month income, fixed incomes, where ever they can get some money and in their minds,they can try to double their money or just win a little extra..They don't realize they a ADDICTED until they can't pay the minimum payments, rent or mortgages become late.. You borrow from who ever..
I started going on those bus trips, vacation to Vegas, then to Delaware Park, CharlesTown, WV, Atlantic City, Dover Downs,De, etc. After a big win streak, I found myself going to casinos 2-3 times a week..I would track my spending compared to my win/loss & bam..I was still the loser..I found myself over 72,000 in debt. I am retired / disabled on fixed income..No way could I pay my debts on my income..I was addicted to slots..In my late 50's I had to file bankruptcy..I realized that just like me, so many women were so lonely & bored with husbands or boyfriends..You start to recognized & make friends in the casinos.
I was never one to throw my hard earned money away.
Loneliness ,boredom,depression,lack of interest will lead you to some sort of addiction. Only you can help you..Be honest with yourself.
The casinos,state lotteries,race track,scratch offs,etc.,ARE THE REAL WINNERS. WITH THE COUNTRIES ECONOMY TODAY, THE STATES DON'T CARE Y,HOW OR WHERE you get your money or what it is for, they are making it more & more tempting to get our money..
No jobs, no credit NOT A GOOD play to be in your senior years.
I WOKE UP..DAY @ A TIME..
THANK YOU, 60 MINUTES for tonight's show. I related to the 1st woman who gambled her retirement away.. - Reply to this comment
- You can rest assured that the idiot Rendell has made his share of money from the casino's. Can not believe he has not received better training to help him keep his cool when he is so blatantly wrong. Gambling is contributing to the downfall of America one coin at a time - don't kid yourself!!! Great report Leslie - wish you had not let up even after he lost his cool!
- Reply to this comment
- I thank Leslie Stahl and 60 Minutes for having to courage to raise the questions they did. I also am amused by Ed Rendall's remarks to Ms. Stahl. She was so dignified and poised as he ranted and raved. He also is very mistaken about gamblers who become addicted when he says that they are going to gamble anyway. I'm one of those people who became addicted. True, we have to take responsibility for our actions, but when a casino is put into our neighborhoods and we have our elected officials telling us we need to gamble in order to help a community's sagging economy, it is very easy to get caught up, especially when slot machines, indeed, casinos are designed to rid as many people of their money as quickly as possible.
Sandra Adell, Author: CONFESSIONS OF A SLOT MACHINE QUEEN: A MEMOIR. See also my blog, "A Black Woman's Reflections on Casino Gambling" www.saadell.wordpress.com - Reply to this comment
- I thank Leslie Stahl and 60 Minutes for having to courage to raise the questions they did. I also am amused by Ed Rendall's remarks to Ms. Stahl. She was so dignified and poised as he ranted and raved. He also is very mistaken about gamblers who become addicted when he says that they are going to gamble anyway. I'm one of those people who became addicted. True, we have to take responsibility for our actions, but when a casino is put into our neighborhoods and we have our elected officials telling us we need to gamble in order to help a community's sagging economy, it is very easy to get caught up, especially when slot machines, indeed, casinos are designed to rid as many people of their money as quickly as possible.
Sandra Adell, Author: CONFESSIONS OF A SLOT MACHINE QUEEN: A MEMOIR. See also my blog, "A Black Woman's Reflections on Casino Gambling" www.saadell.wordpress.com - Reply to this comment
- More than Movies, Baseball games, and Theme Parks. Seems they may be looking at how much is put into the machine and not how much is lost. Money spent on the movies, park or baseball doesn't come back to the viewer.
- Reply to this comment
