Gambling

Introduction

Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Reno, New Orleans. What do these cities all have in common? Gambling. Gambling is defined as putting something of value at risk on events whose outcome is uncertain. Gambling comes in many forms such as betting in casinos, racetracks, sporting events, lotteries, bingo games and even internet gambling. According to a poll by Harrah's Entertainment, approximately one-quarter of the U.S. adult population visited and gambled at a casino in 2004. These participants indeed "put something at risk" and that "something" was measured in not only dollars but also in the social costs associated with casino gambling. Casino Gambling has many economic and social costs that are often overlooked because people only pay attention to the economic benefit of casinos. Why does this matter to you? Well, people everywhere travel to casinos on vacation, to celebrate anniversaries and birthdays, just for pure entertainment or because they are addicted and have no other choice. Casino gambling has become an essential part of our culture and society as a whole is hurting from it. Today I'm going to tell you about:

I. The social and economic costs of casino gambling

II. What you can do to avoid this

III. And how our economy and society could fail and/or improve depending on whether we choose to ignore this problem or not.

Transition: There are many economic and social costs involved with casino gambling. Claims of the economic benefits of casino gambling are almost always exaggerated, while costs are understated.

Body

I. In economically depressed areas, casinos are perceived as a way to draw tourists and create new jobs. However, many beg to argue.

A. According to an article titled "Casino Gambling: A Bad Bet" in a Reader's Digest Journal, MacIsaac stated that "Instead of rejuvenating a city, a casino can actually kill other businesses by sucking money out of the economy".

1. In four years after casinos were legalized in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the number of retail businesses declined by one-third, restaurants declined by half, and only 10% of all businesses nearest to casino locations in 1976 are still open today. This goes to show that the gambling enterprise cannibalizes existing businesses by stealing their customers and revenues.

B. Besides the costs on the economy, many social costs are a result of casino gambling as well. Casino gambling can lead to compulsive gambling, attract crime, prostitution, create traffic congestion problems and erode the work ethic.

1. Homeowners living near casinos are at increased risk for bankruptcy since they are the compulsive gamblers living closest to casinos. A 2004 study by researchers at Creighton University found that the bankruptcy rate in counties with casinos increased at twice the rate of comparable counties without casinos. Bankruptcies affect the society because of the increased need for state services.

C. There is also an intangible social cost that shouldn't be overlooked when measuring costs of casino gambling and that is Pathological Gamblers.

1. Pathological gamblers engage in destructive behaviors such as committing crimes and running up large debts which lead to depression and suicide.

2. Pathological and compulsive gamblers affect not only society but their family and friends. In a book titled "Pathological Gambling: A Critical Review" written by the National Research Council, they said that Children of compulsive gamblers were more likely to smoke, drink, and use drugs. Furthermore, they were more likely to describe their childhood as unhappy periods of their lives.

Transition: So, taking this evidence of the understated economic and social costs of casino gambling into account, there are things that have been done and that we can do to satisfy the problem.

II. The regulation, prohibition, and avoidance of casino gambling are all possible answers to these economic and social issues.

A. This country has already tried the prohibition of Casino Gambling and it is pretty much impossible since so many states have adopted it.

1. Congress accepted the legalization of casino gambling with exception that each state sets an independent framework. Each state has the authority to regulate and prohibit casino gambling as they please.

B. All we can do is regulate the gambling and try to avoid it.

1. The primary purpose of regulating gambling is to keep out the criminals. A Report on "Gambling in California" by Roger Dunstan states that "Where gambling is legal it is very