I think it's fine if you have the good sense to know when to quit. This being at a casino. I'll go maybe twice a year.
I also will play the Powerball lottery a couple times a month. $5.00 quick picks. Nothing major.
Leslie

In moderation.

I was hooked on Indian Bingo when I lived in California, I was single and that was my Friday Night Entertainment.

I know the odds are against you at the Casinos.

Gayle

Truthfully, I think it's really stupid, but I have gambled in the past, won and lost. Mostly lost. My mom used to gamble all the time with her friends (I'm from NV) and it was their recreation, got her and my dad into a financial mess.

When I went back last year, didn't even have the urge to gamble. I used to only play poker machines a little bit. Last time I did go was with an old friend on another visit back home. We went to Reno, "girls night out", and on the way home we stopped in Sparks and played for about 15 minutes then we both got bored and left.

Totally against gambling.

First, because I see it as morally wrong.

Second, even if one subscribes to a different ethical code than I do, the games are generally set up so that the player will eventually lose, and the house will win so it makes no financial sense to me, either.

Third, from a common-sense standpoint, it makes more sense to me--if you want to play games--to compete in an area where you don't have to put up any money up front, and where winning and losing is based on skill, rather than chance. That way, you have some control over whether you win or not, and if you don't--you haven't lost the electric bill payment.

I consider it fine, so long as it is not out of control or placing hardship on the gambler or anyone else.

I see the local bingo games as a form of recreation while making a contribution to a local charity.

I see a trip to a 'boat' as a night out and money spent on gambling, as money that is just spent on a form of entertainment...just like other entertainment, be it movies, dinner out, traveling/vacations, boating, camping, having horses and showing, or just riding.

DBF and I usually go once a year. It is a 'night' out, and we usually don't take much to lose. We enjoy ourselves and often go out and sit on the deck up at the top, and just watch the river flow on by. Once a year is usually all we want to go though.

Sue

Personally I think gambling is stupid and a waste of time.
I have seen several families be destroyed by gambling so maybe that taints my view.

For a community, I don't like it. It brings in a criminal element often. That is why I will oppose California's 4 Indian gaming ballot issues.

ya gotta know when to hold'm and when to fold'm...sung in my bestest Kenny Rogers singin voice...

not much of a gambler...been to Vegas a few times...20.00 is my limit and I walk away..would rather much take in the shows and see the sights...and I've never bought a lotto ticket...i'm not sure i would know how!!

I also have seen families devastated by gambling. Addiction to gambling is an OCD, at least that's what I was told by someone that was in counseling.

To me, gambling is no different than alcohol, drugs, porn and any other activity that can destroy ones life. Lucky are the ones that can dabble and not wind up with a life altering addiction.

I have bought a lottery ticket once and would buy one again if it occurred to me at the time. I have seen porn and smoked pot in my younger years. Once or twice a year we may have a drink or two. If I were in severe pain, I would take painkillers.

However, I overindulge in cigarettes, diet coke and many things I enjoy. I think of myself as having an addictive personality so I am careful about bad things that I enjoy.

In answer to the question, I think gambling is simply throwing away money. If it's a form of entertainment that people enjoy from time to time, I don't see a thing wrong with it.

"Gambling" is a broad topic that covers everything from buying chances on a prize from a grade school student to poker games among friends to casino slot machines to horse racing tracks to picking up an occasional lottery ticket. Realistically, we gamble with our lives every time we get in a vehicle. :-)

Very true. When someone uses the term "gambling", I tend to think of lottery tickets and casinos.

I pretty much feel the way Carol does. I've sen lives and families destroyed by it. I have a friend down south who I figure will lose everything she has in the next year or two. This will be her second time to throw it all away.

I don't believe it should be illegal though. You simply cannot protect everyone from themselves. People with addictive personalities for whatever reason will always find some way to self-destruct if that is their bent.

I myself am bored to tears in a casino. I will play games in social situations with money on the table but it's very little money and I could never "chase" and I can always walk away when the amount I've decided to play with is gone.

Same thing with horse racing. I love it. I love to pick horses that win. Long shots. But I go to the track with a very modest amount to spend and when it's gone it's gone. I usually break even or win a bit. But it's not about the betting for me. I just love watching them run and seeing how skillful I can be in picking that one horse in the paddock area no one else is paying much attention to.

We spend $5 2x a week on Powerball tickets. I'd love to go play bingo but I hate leaving the house once I get there at night. There are casinos in the KC area that I could go to, but again ... I hate leaving the house once I get home.

Everybody has their own forms of entertainment. My husband and I like to go to yardsales every week and buy other people's stuff. We don't blink twince about spending $200 - $300 monthly doing this.

Other people go to the movies, go out to dinner, go where-ever, and spend whatever they spend, having fun.

I don't object to gambling when it's a form of entertainment, ... NOT a compulsion ... NOT when it's driving a family bankrupt (stay within your entertainment budget)... NOT when someone else in the family has a moral issue with it.

DH and I were going to the casino a couple of times a year. We took $200 each time. We ate dinner there and played the rest. Sometimes we went home without the $200 and sometimes we went home with more. We didn't go to movies or other recreational places so that was our entertainment. We quit going because all the walking bothered dh.
When I think of it and I'm in Tennessee I will buy powerball tickets. I usually forget about it til I'm past a place that sells them and I don't turn around to go back.

Some of my co-workers got into a lot of financial and emotional trouble because of gambling. One of dh's friends lost his business. When at the casino and the bells and whistles start blaring it is exciting. When you are on a winning streak it is exciting. I can see how someone could become addicted to it.

Linda

I feel the way Carol does. I'm originally from Okla. and it makes me sad to see what all those Indian Casinos are doing to that state. They are just taking over at an alarming rate. And the people who can least afford it seem to frequent them.

The closest i get to gambling is buying a lottery ticket a couple times a year.

I don't gamble per se,because when i spend money,i want something to show for it!!
Kathi

Chemocurl said exactly what I wanted to say.

DH and I go to the "boat" once or twice a year. They have a nice buffet and several restaurants, beautifully decorated too. We might take $20 or $30 each to spend in the machines and never spend more. It is just something different than the usual night of bowling or movies...and we don't spend much more money doing it.

I do have 2 SIL's that have both 'signed themselves off' the gambling boats and can't gamble here in MO. They both saw that they had a problem and took the steps to correct it.

I htink it is fine as long as you know your limits and stick to them. I love going to Vegas and doing some gaming on cruises. My limit is usually far lower than my companions though. As long as you know when to stop I think it is fine.

I think it should be illegal, just like cocaine is illegal. We *do* legislate morality in this country, elsewise, recreational drug use would be oakie-doakie.

I have nothing good to say about gambling. I wish all forms of gambling were made illegal immediately. It does nothing good for families, communities or cities and has the potential to cause great harm and devastation.

For 10 years, I lived in a community that was promised that gambling would solve all problems, from infrastructure to school funding. When gambling came in (under that promise) we found that school funding was *cut* in proportion to gambling revenues coming in. Nothing got better, just funding sources were switched and many, many bad things happened. Read Tim O'Brien's "Bad Bet" for more info (which includes a profile on Alton, IL).
Rose

I think of it like I do drinking.

Probably innately not really good for you at all, but like many vices, probably won't hurt you much in moderation and can be sort of fun and entertaining. But you have to be careful because that one little bit could lead you to an addiction. Many people don't know when or how to say no. In excess, obviously, it will generally cause big problems... not only financially, but as any addiction will with time demands and OCD type problems.

I also don't really like the concept of getting something for nothing (or barely nothing). I think having to work for your money creates a sense of worth and self respect. Winning big money can often just erode that self respect. You didn't earn that money...why are you entitled to it?

I'm a bingo bimbo! I play bingo once or twice a week! Have gone twice to a casino. The only thing at the casino that impressed me was how fast they took my $$$. I can play bingo for 2 weeks for what they take in 1 hour off me! I'll stick to the bingo. Have won 2 big jackpots this year at bingo. One for $1,252.00 and $900.00. I won $111.00 last night! We will be leaving for Ohio and Florida tomorrow. Taking bingo stuff with me, hope to get to play. Last year didn't get to a bingo hall. This year I'm determined to go!
I hate it at bingo when I hear people say, "I'd better win tonight, I need grocery money." Then what the heck are you doing there?!
Kathy G in MI

I play Bingo every Sunday. I have fun and I only spend $20 dollars. It is more a social thing for me. I know some will say that my money could be spent more wisely-so what, it is my money. That is the only gambling I do.
It is like anything else-all things in moderation.

In Montana, most of the bars and a lot of the gas stations have small casino areas.
We play the poker and keno slots when we travel... good way to get off the road and relax a few minutes. We do not gamble to win money. We do it as an entertainment and allow four dollars each for my husband and me. Sometimes after getting a meal out, we go gamble for a few minutes and allow $10 each. Once again, we do not expect to win and most times do not win. It is a cheap evening out for us. I do object if someone gambles to win and uses money that is needed elsewhere.

I just bought 3 tickets from the local quilt guilt, to win a sports car, a recliner or a quilt. That's the kind of gambling I do. :)

Now, if I win the car, I will go on a road trip!!! If I win the recliner, I will sell it. and if I win the quilt, I will wrap up in it on cold nights.

But gambling is for others, I don't care for it. I do go in to casinos on my bike trips, cause they serve good food, and have clean rest rooms. :)

Moni

We have 4 gambling boats close to us. We go maybe once or twice a month. I play with a girlfriend and we each put 5.00 in penny slots and take turns. We sit and talk and have some cocktails and have a good time. We may spend 40.00 to 50.00 each time we go with our drinks and we have a good time doing it.

I am not a gambler,although DH and I buy 5.00 worth of lottery tickets every week,but never go over that amount.I rarely go to a casino,and my limit is 20.00...when it's gone,so am I.
I don't consider buying a raffle ticket for a local charity gambling.but a donation that has a little perk if you participate.
I know of two friends who's lives have been totally destroyed by gambling.For the wrong person it can be highly addictive!

5 bucks for a lottery ticket would be as much as I would gamble at a time. I have in laws that go several times a year that always ask if I want them to play a few bucks for me. No, I have no interest, but if someone else wants to, that is their business. Just don't ask me to bail them out if they loose their butt!

"I am not a gambler,although DH and I buy 5.00 worth of lottery tickets every week,but never go over that amount.I rarely go to a casino,and my limit is 20.00...when it's gone,so am I."

Sounds like you ARE a gambler!

We went to Las Vegas for our 25th Anniv. 5 years ago and we were both bored to tears. We put a limit of $5 on the slots and when we ran out that was it. I don't get the attraction, Which I guess is good. I would rather spend my money on other things. I could buy lottery tickets here everyday. I think I have bought one once or twice when the money was way up there. I guess I believe the odds are against you.
Clare

My name is Donna and I am a gambler.lol DH and I buy a set amount every week of lottery tickets and that's it, no casinos or anything else. Since we don't drink nor spend money on cigarettes or go to movies it's our form of recreation that might pay back a little every now and then, which it has.

At least with a lottery ticket there is a slim chance of getting some money back, what do you get with buying cartons of cigarettes every week? Poor health leading to death.

I love to play the slots. It just seems fun to me. I don't get to do it often, but if I could do anything on my birthday, it would probably be gambling, and spending the night in a fun casino.
I don't do much else so it is my get away every now and again.
I do have 2 very dear women friends that have been in trouble over gambling. I feel really bad for them, and can see how it happened, but for me, I just would never take it that far.
To me it is a great source of entertainment, that's it.
I have lots of other vices to spend my money on.

Trin

i only play lotto once in awhile on $1, my DH calls the lotto, tax on stupid people lol of course if i won he'd have to pay a hefty price ;-)) i'm not into any other gambling, i'd have more fun setting my money on fire since to me it's the same. i want something tangible for my $$$$.

when i was in my early 20's our city started allowing riverboat gambling in NW IN. there were many benefits to the city of course and since we already had the mob w/ illegal gambling, legalizing it was no big deal. but very quickly things went bad in the community w/ alot of people unable to control themselves and going under. crime went up, there were more homeless and poor and few saw benefits to the boats. like any vice i have no problem w/ someone else doing it, unless their vice affects anyone else in a negative way...then i have no sympathy ~ liz

Rosemary, I'm curious about something you said. As Okwriter pointed out, gambling exists in many forms. If compulsion or addiction is not involved, and the person can well afford to lose the amount of money involved, what is immoral about someone placing a bet on a horse, or playing a game of cards for money, or buying a lottery ticket?

I'm not asking this in a confrontational manner; I'm sincerely curious.

I should add that gambling doesn't appeal to me at all. It is not an occupation for the inherently frugal. :-)

DH and I love the Indian Casinos..we each spend $20.00 when we go, when it's gone, so are we. We usually go once a month or so.
I have no problem with them, the profits here are obvious. New tribal housing, a new medical clinic and all the kids are given a computer and college educations. Plus the tribal members on many of the reservations are given a certain cash annuity. Figure we took their land, so whatever they get is fair by me....but that's another issue..Kathy

Like to play the slots when cruising, but mainly I just sit and watch!

I believe is a person can afford to gamble and it is done in moderation.. it's perfectly fine.
I've seen some pretty sad cases of people who couldn't afford casino gambling, and became addicted and lost most of what they had. Really pitiful!
I gamble with the stock market and enjoy casinos, but I limit myself and know when to stop.
Lu

I agree with the majority. I think it's fine for people who know when to walk away & can afford to gamble spending whatever they want on it. It's really no different than spending on clothes, cars, etc, etc. If you play the lottery or go to the casino for fun & know that the odds are against you, that's your business.

It is really sad when people become addicted & throw away everything they have & ruin their lives & their family's. But people can become addicted to anything. I've read stories of people who ruined their family financially because they were shopaholics.

My bro, sis's, friends & I usually go to the Casino once or twice a month. We don't go to win--(but, wouldn't that be nice?)--we go for a brain free day. We have lots of fun & really good food. For us its just entertainment, & a time to be together!

Donna (^_^)

If one can call it entertainment, and not let it and other forms of entertanment cost more than their entertainment budget, that's one thing.

If they call it an investment ... forget it!

As a financial advisor for a number of years, I've counselled my clients to use their money carefully, to make it work most effectively for them.

For most folks, over the long term, buying lottery tickets/attending casinos, bingo, etc. is sort of like throwing one's money down a rathole.

Occasionally finding a shovel near one, and finding when one dug up the hole that some others had dropped some money down there, as well.

I'm also aware that in quite a few cases, the proposed benefits that were supposed to accrue to cities, etc. who went in league with the promoters didn't, as several here have indicated, turn out. And that their society went downhill afterward.

Some call government-related gambling (which often turns out to be addictive to governments) a voluntary tax on the stupid.

I worked too hard for my money to be willing to drop a substantial portion of it into someone else's pocket ... while getting nothing in return. Well ... maybe a peanut.

ole joyful

We haven't been to the casino in a couple of years. We don't gamble much. In the past when we've gone, it's been to a concert. Usually we have back stage passes because of DH's ties to the music business. We usually eat at the buffet first. We love the seafood buffet! But we rarely gamble. The few times we have gambled, DH is very lucky. Several times we were just walking through the place to get to the music or food when DH would drop a quarter in a slot and win a few dollars every time.