by Lana Miller

Created on: July 04, 2009   Last Updated: July 06, 2009

www.casinos - recreational or suicidal?

Casinos lure millions of visitors through its portals. The majority become repeat customers. This luring generates more than three billion dollars in gaming revenues. The casino industry never has a "down" year, even through recessions, wars, and competition. They are islands unto themselves - enforced by laws and constructed to help communities establish jobs. Casinos are portrayed as tools of economic development and revitalization - a quick fix to spur growth and lower unemployment. The cold, hard facts are that casinos strip customers of their dignity and their money.

Casinos are aboard riverboats and cruise ships. They are horizontally lined along ocean fronts; developed in the middle of deserts. There is no morning or night. In "casino land" time stands still. There are no windows to warn you that the sun went down many hours ago. There are no clocks. The doors are open day or night, the temperature is cool, the air is circulating; the dealers are smiling and the waitresses are enticing. The ceilings sparkle with chandeliers. The carpet is alive with vibrant, swirling colors. The colors that encourage poor decisions and that "lucky" environment.

The Webster's New World College Dictionary defines recreation as a refreshment in body and mind as: after work, by some form of play, amusement or relaxation. The casinos will stress the word "recreation" in all their magazines, newsletters, radio programs and pamphlets. Gambling is promoted as a simple form of entertainment. The action and the challenge of winning are what attracts millions to a casino. This "drug" of choice is seductive and ultimately destructive.

Three percent of the adult population will experience a serious problem with gambling that will result in: death, family disruption, job losses and criminal activity. There has been a recent rise in college students gambling to pay off student loans. Alarms should be ringing in the United States. There will be a growing need for additional adolescent treatment centers, not to mention, counselors across the nation.

New laws and amendments should be activated to protect the unsuspecting and innocent people - young or old. Public awareness should be spread further and faster than ever before. Suicide; divorce rates; destitute, homeless people and neglected children would be at a lower statistic if the growing gambling addiction could be slowed down, if not halted all together. The human population cannot afford to continue to be involved in this type of recreation - financially or emotionally. Mankind must be viewed as human assets - not just resources. The casinos should be concerned with the human aspect - not just resources the humans bring to the casinos.

Learn more about this author, Lana Miller.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.