Concerns Over Gambling Addiction Grow with the Passage of Question 7
Almost 90 percent of Marylanders have gambled in their lifetime with 22 percent gambling monthly, CNS Maryland's Kelsey Pospisil reports.
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With the passage of Question 7 in Maryland expanding gambling in the state, addiction experts say they are concerned about a likely increase in the number of people who will seek treatment for gambling problems. (Kelsey Pospisil/CNS Maryland)
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TELL US: Do you think gambling addiction will grow in the state of Maryland if a new casino opens in Prince George's County? Join the discussion in our comments.
macadoodle
10:02 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012
Isn't that something that the State should have considered before pushing for a new big casino in MD? Not to fear. The Guv and his cadre of legislators will form a new Department of Gambling Addiction (DOGA) through which a host of bureaucrats and psychiatrists and consultants (at a cost of a few million $$ paid for by the taxpayers) will try to analyze the riddle of casino addiction when all they had to do was not push for yet another gambling den in the State.
Pachacutec
2:05 pm on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
If memory serves me, the local and state poltiicians DID bring up the "addiction" angle, as well as the morality of gambling and so on back in the days when local charities were running table games (that was part of their argument, anyhow). However, at that time the government wasn't getting a cut of the action. Guess as long as they're getting their share of the pie, they can afford to look the other way. That being said - while I don't care for casino gambling myself and voted against '7,' , the plain fact is, we simply cannot babysit everyone in the State/Country throughout their entire lives on the thought that something might be bad for them; if we're going to do that, why not close all the liquor stores because of alcohol addiction? Or ban cars because someone could get hit while crossing the streets?
Peggy Anne
10:11 am on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Gambling addiction is very similar to alcoholism. I have watched people win thousands at dice, and proceed to give it right back on the spot looking for the "bigger score". An hour later, when broke, they show defiance, or remorse. The casinos usually have Gamblers Anonymous signs around the place, but many gamblers will say "Ha ! THOSE people have a problem. I don't. I'm not a loser". It's hell to be around people in denial.