The number of individuals with Compulsive gambling addiction is growing at a rate that will devastate our economy over the next few years. This is inevitable unless local state governments enact new laws protecting their voters. The gaming industry has grown at an unprecedented rate in the last ten years; this growth at first sparked the local community with increased jobs and more competitive wages. Less then a year after these gaming establishments opened they began to have a negative affect on the surrounding areas. Local businesses with in a fifty mile radius have been forced to pay higher wages to keep their employees, At the same times revenues have decreased due to patrons spending a larger portion of their pay checks with a chance to win big. When the gaming establishment first opens people are will to bet twenty dollars a week. By week three they are up to fifty. This pattern continues for years to come with a disastrous outcome. A year later they are betting hundred dollars a week. By year four they are spending fifty percent of their weekly paycheck. By year five they are borrowing money to pay bills they neglected. Year six things continue to go downhill. As they spiral downhill they lose everything they ever worked for including their self respect. As the above statistics start to come in, politicians will be forced to deal with the reality that a large percentage of their voters have a gambling problem. The Prohibition Party was formed in 1869 to ban the production and sale of alcoholic beverages. Even though this did not work nor did it last forever it was a step in the right direction. People should be allowed to drink and gamble if they want too as long as they are being responsible. There are definite signs when a person is drunk at a local pub and there are definite signs when a person is out of control at a gaming establishment. As the statistical information related to the number of individuals with a gambling addiction is brought to light this will be the turning point for all people. At this point a progressive plan will need to be implemented as soon as feasibly possible in order to stop further deterioration of our economy and family foundation. It's my belief that once this information is know the politicians will be forced to start the process of regulating this industry. |
