Gambling, Addiction and Ed Rendell Losing It On Camera - What's Not To Like?

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60 MINUTES: On Gambling

CBS News 60 Minutes on Gambling, specifically locally-grown casinos sprouting up within easy distance of the currently 75% of citizens who don't leave their states to gamble... and how putting casinos within reach has the power to shift the equation of addiction. From '11 but still as relevant as ever.


And who could forget "Franklin" from The Twilight Zone?!

The old video is sooooo telling, even after all this time.

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In light of Christie's recent moves...

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1. Yes, gambling is very addictive

especially for those who can least afford it. I have known many people who cannot afford it, lose their entire paychecks and start borrowing money to continue to "play" while their families literally go hungry. I used to buy groceries for my neighbors wife and children. He worked 6 days and the odds were that he was broke after his one day off.
I have observed "Pavlovian responses" in people as soon as the casino is mentioned. Just like crack addicts chasing the initial high. It is a bigger problem than many know. IDK the answer but ask any casino worker, they know that to many people gambling is a very powerful addiction. IMO, the "war on drugs"could easily include slots as a very addictive drug (much more so than many illegal drugs).
Of course unbelievable amounts of "legitimate" money is funneled to the upstanding elite owners of the casinos and some even trickles down to the tax coffers. These addicts are not roaming the streets until they have lost everything.
I have a family member who actually produces extra saliva when gambling and going to the casino is mentioned.
A very sad way to raise tax money and for the wealthy to line their pockets.