Compulsive gambling.Prev TopicNext Topic

• DoctorEw220

  

  Yinzer Country, PA
  United States
  Member #4,067
  March 18, 2004
  2,741 Posts
  Offline
  Mar 26, 2004, 8:38 pm

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  This is kind of a serious issue to lottery players, so i figured i'd see what everyone else thought of the issue.
• Todd

  

  50

  Chief Bottle Washer

  New Jersey
  United States
  Member #1
  May 31, 2000
  27,937 Posts
  Online
  Mar 26, 2004, 9:03 pm

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  IMHO they are doing enough or too much already.  I'd much rather have all the money spent on those programs put to better use (or preferrably given back to us in the form of a tax cut).

   

  Check the State Lottery Report Card
  What grade did your lottery earn?

   

  Sign the Petition for True Lottery Drawings
  Help eliminate computerized drawings!
• BobP

  

  Dump Water Florida
  United States
  Member #380
  June 5, 2002
  3,576 Posts
  Online
  Mar 26, 2004, 11:17 pm

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  First of all I don't consider playing the lottery to be gambling unless we view almost everything as a form of risk taking. 
  
  There is a percentage of the population that has a problem with almost everything, this should not change things for the rest of us as a society cannot be built around protecting everyone from their personal demons.
  
  However, I do think industry that reaches out to us including people who can't handle it, have some obligation to help those who can't resist the sirens song especially if reaping huge profits under state license. 
  
  By "help"  I mean not allowing excessive play, not providing credit, blocking players at the request of family upon proof of addiction, etc. and contributions to agencies that help, but not welfare for social counsolers who tell you it isn't your fault because it's a disease nonsense. 
  
  Ask better questions you'll get better answers. BobP
   
• golotto

  

  Wisconsin
  United States
  Member #1,610
  June 3, 2003
  668 Posts
  Offline
  Mar 27, 2004, 2:09 am

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  I agree. I've never considered my lottery participation as gambling but rather an interest in numbers. The term gambling has really never crossed my mind. I suppose one could get hooked on many different things in life such as caffeine, coffee, soda, sitcoms ...almost anything can become addictive in extreme excess. But as far as the lottery is concerned, I play for fun and and continue to enjoy every aspect of Powerball, Megabucks, and the other games I occasionally try. I usually stick to a pre-planned budget. One of the main reasons I like the lottery (other than the fun of studying and choosing the numbers) is the fact that the lottery is always true to it's players. In other words - we all know the odds to the various games when we go in and if you happen to match the required numbers and have a valid ticket - you win the prize plain and simple. You gotta be in it to win it and if you 'land on free parking' and do hit ...the numbers tell it all. There is no gray area in this game. That's why I love the lottery.

  ... the lottery never fails to surprise!