Gambling Addiction

Written by a 37 year veteran of the casino industry

If people do not lose their money in casinos

They will lose it somewhere else Why not take their money

All gamblers are MUGS All we have to do is get them in the door

They cannot win No casino has ever gone broke It is a license to print money

If people are stupid enough to gamble

They deserve all they get

Or all they DON'T get We sell them a dream

And a dream is all it is

And all it ever will be

We never talk of "gambling" We talk of "playing"

We never mention the word "lose"

"Every human being is the author of their own health or disease." ~Buddha~

How instrumental is Gamblers Anonymous in overcoming gambling addiction? Is it more effective than self-help? Is Gamblers Anonymous considered self-help?
What works for you?

"Gambling is an addictive behavior, make no mistake about it . . . Gambling has all the properties of a psychoactive substance, and again, the reason is that it changes the neurochemistry of the brain." --The American Psychiatric Association

"Well, now, if I take the money out of VISA and pay MasterCard, tell my bank my paycheck will be late, borrow from...this might work."

"I'm gonna get that casino back when I get my next paycheck. They'll pay for taking my money. I've got a new system. Heh heh."

"What was that? I'm how many months late on what bill? I can't hear you. The slot machines are too loud."

"Twenty minutes ago I was even. My gambling system doesn't seem to be working."

My sons, both of whom are in their 20's, have recently discovered poker. Since they were raised in a non-gambling home (I have never even bought a lottery ticket), this astounds me.

More and more young people are now gambling and it generally starts innocently and in subtle ways. It is becoming socially acceptable to participate in 50-50 draws, casino nights, and afternoon poker games.

While most teens start to gamble just "for fun," some will end up with a serious gambling problem and it can easily become an addictive pastime.