Gambling

Lots of people gamble for entertainment. We have at least one entire city in the United States that is dedicated to gambling as an entertainment industry — Las Vegas — and many other cities have areas that are designated as gambling industry districts. Gambling is entertainment, of course, but gambling is also big business — very big business.

Government regulates the gambling industry much as it does alcohol, tobacco, and firearms. There are federal laws that regulate gambling, but there are also state and local laws that regulate gambling. State and local gambling laws regulate such activities as bookmaking, legal gambling, and sports betting.

Onsite betting at racetracks is always allowed, but off-track betting is closely regulated. Many states specifically forbid sports betting of any kind. Some states forbid gambling in any form.

Why do people like to gamble? Most will tell you that it is just the thrill of the possibility of success. They say that the POSSIBILITY of winning is more enticing than the winning itself.

Of course, like all things that are a lot of fun, there's also the possibility of gambling addiction. A gambling addition can destroy the lives of not only the gambler, but his entire family.

A national organization called "Gamblers Anonymous" operates on the same general principles of the national organization of Alcoholics Anonymous. Local chapters meet at various times and at various locations to help those who are addicted to gambling to deal with their gambling addiction. The gambling can be controlled, but the addiction is never cured.

Gambling IS fun! There's nothing wrong with an occasional trip to Las Vegas. You'll see lots of great live entertainment, and you'll get to gamble until you run out of money. As long as it doesn't become an addiction, there's nothing at all wrong with gambling for fun and entertainment!