For the better part of 3 years I was oblivious to what was going on around me in the casino. I was so fixated on the game I never gave the institution much thought. It wasn't until I recognized I had a serious problem, about 6 months before I stopped gambling, that I really began to see a casino for what it is.

Most studies I have read claim that "pathological gambling" affects only 0.6% of the population and 2.3% can be considered "problem gamblers." I question the validity of these studies for several reasons.

First off, there is no test to tell if someone has a gambling problem. You can't find traces of gambling in my blood or urine. It is strictly based on an individual's will to admit to someone they have a problem. Many people, like myself, are proud. Admitting gambling has taken over your life is difficult. I felt embarrassed and ashamed by my problem. The multiple times I wound up in an emergency room as a result of the panic attacks gambling caused I never told the doctor I had a gambling problem. Countless people are suffering in silence with this addiction. Since by nature I am a betting man I would put all my chips on the table and bet on the fact that the prevalence of pathological and problem gambling is much higher than we are led to believe. Significantly more marriages and relationships have been destroyed, jobs lost, crimes committed, debts defaulted on and suicides occurred from gambling than any of us will ever know or conceive.

The problem here is casinos are not just a monster cash cow for the corporations and investors that own them. They have also become a relied upon source of income for the state. Genuinely learning about and admitting what gambling does to people's lives would be devastating to the industry, similar to what has happened to tobacco. Since there's so much money to be made and that money is shared with government there's not much interest to protect society from the gaming industry which in my eyes is an evil predator.

Have you ever asked yourself why a casino would allow you to take a cash advance on a credit card? If they are really promoting responsible gambling why would they even have a means in place to gamble irresponsibly? Most of us have limited access to cash via an ATM due to the daily withdrawal restrictions banks have in place. Isn't $400-$500 plenty for someone to lose in a casino in one trip? Why would they even have a mechanism in place for your to access more. If you were truly a "high roller" you probably wouldn't come into the place with your pockets empty and an ATM card in hand. The purpose of the cash advance system to facilitate the problem gambler access to money he or she doesn't have.

Why are there so many casinos these days anyway? If all these casinos now dotting the American landscape are for the recreational gambler they wouldn't stay afloat. The majority of these casinos are in places people typically don't visit. Atlantic City and Las Vegas get a pass here because they were always tourist destinations for the recreational gambler. But who is taking a trip to Detroit or Cleveland. Ohio alone has 11 casinos! They only way these places can exist and profit is by creating more pathological and problem gamblers.

I take full responsibility for my actions. No one put a gun to my head and forced me to gamble. But the idea that the casino is simply a fun place for the 97.7% to have a good time is ridiculous. It is a carefully crafted predatory business working diligently to create as many addicts as possible.

They are truly an evil empire. Like a vampire there goal is to suck you dry. They want to break you down physically, emotionally and mentally until you relinquish control over your life and deliver to them every last cent you can get your hands on. Don't let them win. Stand up and fight for yourself. Behind every set of eyes is a story as interesting and special as my own. That's how I know you, I and all of us are worth so much more than living in a private hell defined as compulsive gambling. None of us deserve that. We are all worth so much more.

It won't be easy. Some days will be harder than others. But keep telling yourself "do I really want to let them get the best of me, define who I am and the choices I make?" Of course you don't!

I believe in you and believe you can do this. No matter how many times you fail the most important thing you can do is NEVER give up. Finally breaking those chains and living free of this addiction will exceed all your expectations.

Thank you both for your input. Highlimit what you have given me is even more insight.
I also bought a book called "Addiction by design- Machine gambling" by Natasha Dow Schull. It was research done over 20 years in Las Vegas about slot machines and poker machines and their effects on people. Oh my is that one an eye opener! When I read about the intermittent rewards that were done on rats and the and how they incorporated it into slot machines makes me cringe on how a group of people can do this to other people. I haven't fully finished reading it.

I totally agree with you about the government and the gaming industry being an evil predator. My eyes are opening to the bigger picture of all this for the first time. I certainly don't want them to get the best of me. I do take responsibility for my actions and by the information and questions you have given me here as well as what I've been reading in these first 2 days only puts more fuel on my commitment, determination and drive to break free of this addiction.
Once again, thank you with all of my heart! I'll be back tomorrow to this site.