Archive for the ‘Internet Gambling’ Category
Some people cringe at the thought of being labeled as a gambler since the stigma would forever hound them. People have different reasons as to why they gamble. Some gamble to forget their problems, others for fun, or to while away the time, those who play seriously and those who are addicted to it.
But all is not negative when it comes to gambling as there are untapped benefits of gambling which cannot be seen within the walls of the casino, or the race track, or in the bingo social hall.
Employment
In Las Vegas, a whopping 60 percent of the employment ratio is attributed to the presence of casinos. Imagine what would happen to Las Vegas if all the casinos suddenly stopped operating.
Entertainment
Self-discipline is the key. Gambling is for entertainment, as it was intended to be. Others just couldn’t handle a loss and always kept right on thinking that the next card would be the one to salvage all that has been lost. But it never does. And these types of gamblers only comprise one-fourth of the gambling population who cannot gamble responsibly.
Imagine the other 75 percent who responsibly gamble. These are the people who find the entertainment value of gambling and they are never blinded by the illusion that hitting it big time just once is the key to financial freedom.
It is sad that only a small percentage of the gambling population gets the bad rap of how gambling can be so destructive. Families, friends, properties, jobs, crimes and deception permeate the destruction brought about by gambling but it is still a small portion of the gambling population.
Charity Work
Winnings from gambling activities have contributed in providing the needed financial support of worthy causes. They use gambling activities such as bingos or lotteries with a percentage of the jackpot winnings tied with charity institutions.
Some celebrities even show their prowess in card games like poker to provide entertainment for the viewers and winnings for the charity institution they represent.
Health benefit
Studies have been found that retirees 65 years old and above who gamble have less health issues such as depression, alcoholism and bankruptcy as they find gambling to be therapeutic as it exercises their mind and keep them alert.
The study was not conclusive, however, because retiree gamblers are the recreational gamblers who find the entertainment value of gambling. They are healthier because they are healthy to begin with and not because they gamble.
In the end, it is not the gambling act itself that makes it beneficial or harmful to the individual. It is the decision of the individual if gambling would rule him or he would rule his gambling habit.
Gambling is a recreational activity prevalent in society today. Young and old alike, people are getting hooked to what today’s society calls as the game of the lucky ones.
Generally, gambling refers to any form of activities that involves taking the risk of betting the money or any kind of tangible items of value, which sometimes depend on chance or the skill of somebody to manipulate the game.
Since its inception, the profitability that gambling can offer to an individual is endless. That is why gambling had continuously dominated the world of chances.
However, even if gambling like blackjack, poker, and slot machines are so popular these days, people still don’t have any idea how it started and who started it.
Here’s a list of the people who, in some way or another, contributed to the development of gambling.
1. The first ever slot machine, known as the Liberty Bell, was invented by Charles Fey in 1985. Fey was a car mechanic in San Francisco when he thought of inventing the Liberty Bell.
The first form of slot machine was made of three spinning wheels that had three featured shapes: spades, diamonds, and hearts plus a “cracked” Liberty Bell drawn at each reel.
It was on 1907 when an arcade-like machine maker based in Chicago had thought of reproducing machines similar to that of Fey’s. The manufacturer was named Henry Stephen Mills. The machine was called Operator Bell.
It was from this point that the slot machines have evolved until today’s form.
2. In card games such as blackjack, nobody can ever tell how the game started and who started it. This is because nobody tried to record it for the purpose of history.
However, there were people who conceptualized the basic strategy for playing blackjack.
It was in 1958 when Cantey, McDermott, Maisel and Baldwin had devised a strategy that caused such commotion with both the statisticians and the gamblers themselves.
These four people have created the basic strategy in playing the game all using their hand calculators. After which, they created a book known as “Winning Blackjack,” which is now considered as one of the most valuable strategies in playing blackjack.
In turn, this gave birth to what modern gambling now calls as the “card counting techniques.”
These are the people who have made the gambling world truly a phenomenon. Though, there are people who do not accept them as great inventors because of the negative effects of gambling in the society today. Nevertheless, they have contributed a lot in gambling.
A compulsive gambler is a person who is not able to resist the urge to gamble. The compulsiveness leads to severe personal and social consequences. The desire to gamble becomes so difficult to control that stress can only be calmed by gambling more.
1. Walks, Talks and Breathes Gambling.
The compulsive gambler preoccupies himself with gambling. He tells story of previous experiences. The compulsive gambler often discuss with anybody willing to listen, his new schemes or next winning strategy.
2. More, more and more.
The compulsive gambler finds himself gambling more and more money. In most cases he is not gambling for a bigger prize but for an increased thrill or excitement. The time he spends gambling usually lasts longer than planned.
3. Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop.
The compulsive has repeatedly been unable to curb his gambling. Worse, he becomes irritable and restless when attempting to cut back or stop altogether. Unfortunately, gambling is a way of escaping or relieving his problems.
4. Lies, lies and more lies.
The compulsive gambler starts lying to family and friends in order to hide his habit. But lies and brags about winnings. He denies having a problem when confronted. Often becomes angry if the issue is pursued. The lies start to become a way of life for the compulsive gambler.
5. Show me the money.
He starts depending on others to help in dire financial situations. He often borrows from family and friends to support his increasingly worsening problem. Mortgages and loans are refinanced. Life insurance is cashed in, as well as his 401k. The gambler may then start committing fraud and theft to finance gambling.
6. Self Destructing
Career is jeopardized or relationships with loved ones and friends are eroding. There is a tremendous amount of shame and remorse felt after gambling. Will consider or attempt suicide due to extreme helplessness of situation.
7. Losing control.
A shift in personality often happens to the compulsive gambler. He starts being manipulative, irritable, argumentative, critical, and controlling. The compulsive gambler starts losing interest in his regular activities and hobbies. Then makes poor excuses or evades questions of his whereabouts. Often withdraws from love ones and friends. Sees gambling as a way to cope and deal with his problems.
8. No Sense of time.
The compulsive gambler begins gambling to celebrate and in crisis. He starts spending his time gambling on holidays and special events.
Prevention is difficult and will not always be likely. Counseling may help people who are more susceptible to compulsive gambling. People who know of relatives that are compulsive gambler might be at risk and must be especially wary.
Las Vegas, famous for tourism, entertainment and gaming, is “THE” entertainment capital of the world.
In Vegas, playing can be a lot of fun. Playing can be very easy and winning there, can take little effort too. But a question to ask is how to leave Las Vegas with money. This is a deception that gamblers often encounter.
Here are a few general pointers to go home with your winnings:
*Set a rule for the pit games and as much as possible, stick to it. It could be that you play no pit games at all, or if you should, set a strict budget.
*Have some rest. Playing can take place for hours. If you find yourself losing, stop and have some rest. Take the time to do other things, like going up to your hotel room to change, watch television, or sleep. After which you can then go back to the game. Chances are, the winners have already left and losers are already drunk, so take advantage of the situation!
* Look around and study the players first. These are unfamiliar faces. Be attentive as to how they play the game. Never be hesitant to change tables for better luck, if your game is not going smoothly.
*When playing thru a slot machine, change your bet every time you spin. Avoid betting the same amount of coins every spin. This is good at machines that offer free spins.
*At slots, don’t bet on all paylines. Bet maximum coins on just a few.
*Say no to alcoholic drinks while at play. When high in alcohol, one tends to have great guts. Avoid it; you might be very daring as to place a large bet for not so good cards.
*Manage your money well. Allot a certain amount that you want to play with for the day. Play the money through the slot machine only once. After that, take whatever winnings you have or stop if the allotted money is all used up. If playing pit games, do the same, play within a budget.
*If you lose, you quit, Simple. You will know your luck as you play along. If you tend to be losing, don’t push it and bet harder hoping you can win and recuperate.
But, as in any game, the best strategy is patience. Watch a while, stand back and study the statistics.
Gambling above all, whether one be an expert or not, is a game of luck.
Narcotic drugs aren’t the only things that are addictive in this world. Gambling is also addictive. There have been a lot of incidences of people stealing, getting too indebted sometimes even committing suicide just because of gambling problems. In addition Gambling happens legally in 27 states in the US.
Some people say it’s hard not to get addicted to gambling. Actually, it is only a matter of self control and knowing when to stop. Gambling need not be addictive if you don’t view it as that.
Off course, gambling is all around us, simple bingo nights for charity, bets with friends, these are all a gamble, but why doesn’t everybody get addicted if it’s this widespread? The answer is everyone that’s not addicted knew when to quit.
Most compulsive gamblers lose their rationality and actually believe that they are “lucky”, that there’s no way that they can lose.
First of all you must know that eventually, everybody loses in gambling. The only party that wins is the company. Gambling was designed to produce net profits for the owners.
If you are gambling for recreation and not for winning, it may only be a matter of time before you become a professional gambler. These are the people who live off betting and risking. A large win might be the single trigger to make you believe that you’ll always win. And this isn’t the correct mindset.
If you catch yourself finding the urge to gamble, why not ask your family or friends to play with you in a low-risk game, like bet tonight’s dessert or who gets to take out the garbage. As much as possible, never bet with money.
If you’re starting to have gambling impulses, better stay off casinos or any place that focuses on gambling. Ask the help of family or friends so that you won’t’ be tempted.
When the addiction is really starting to get hold, it’s probably best to find an organization or a share group in your community that deals with these types of addiction. Like Alcoholism, Gambling addiction is curable, and what better cure than prevention.
Remember, gambling is your choice, you’re not being forced into it; you don’t have to do it to have a good time. If you’re starting to think of borrowing money just to finance your gambling, tell someone close to you about it and with their help, discuss the disadvantages and probable problems that could come out of too much gambling.