By Alana Pelosi
Freshman John Morse admits to having gambled before coming to the University, yet he said that being close to the hype surrounding college sports has increased his gambling incentive. Morse gambles mostly “online or on certain situations that arise.” He added, “I can bet on anything; from on playing basketball to whether or not someone will get laid.” While he explains that it is just for fun and he does not look to make a career out of it, he said he spends about $20 a month on gambling.
Whether it’s betting online, at the race tracks or the casinos, or buying lottery scratch offs, the occasional gambling may seem like a completely harmless hobby.
Card games have even become a part of most T.V. programming, suggesting that it is now socially acceptable, part of mainstream entertainment. However, every year two million adults in the United States alone meet the criteria for pathological gambling and another four to six million face serious problems, according to the National Council on Problem Gambling.
In an effort to reduce gambling addictions, and the economic and emotional burdens that come with it, the council has created Gambling Awareness Week.
For the past five years, the council has sponsored this week to bring about issues surrounding gambling. This year, the week of March 5 was dedicated to a “whole slew of awareness measures,” said Jim Maney, executive director of New York Council on Problem Gambling.
Throughout the week in the state of New York, legislation was submitted to lawmakers in regards to college-aged gambling and a conference was held in Albany, observed by the New York Council on Problem Gambling and State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS).
“The most significant event of the week was that for the first time, a public service announcement regarding gambling was put out in the state of New York by the Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services,” said Mr. Maney.
According Mr. Maney, the most popular form of gambling is the lottery. He said that this is a popular choice amongst men and women.
Despite being a symbol for gambling, casinos do not necessarily aim to attract college students.
“Many college aged students are not allowed in,” said Alice Parker, a public relations executive for Harrah’s in Atlantic City in a recent interview. “It is illegal to gamble under the age of 21 in the state of New Jersey. If someone is under 21 and found on the casino floor they will be penalized and removed.”
As a result of the legalities behind young students gambling, Parker said that Harrah’s does not advertise toward that age group.
In an effort to draw attention to youth gambling, during Gambling Awareness Week, the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services released a study. One of their many results showed that 20 percent of youths, ages 12 to 18, gamble.
Overall, playing the lottery may be the most commonly used method of gambling, Maney said. “Online gambling is the most difficult problem amongst college aged kids.”Popular sport betting Web sites, sportsinteraction.com and betus.com, are amongst those that attract such college aged kids.
This past November, Jason Cohen, a senior broadcast journalism student, recently quit a gambling habit that consisted of gambling online, poker, roulette, black jack and craps at casinos. He said he would usually spend “$150 every four to six weeks.”
Gambling may seem harmless once in a while, but the costs can often outweigh the benefits. Morse admitted that it can be “addicting, and in the end you always lose.” If you or anyone you know is in need of further gambling information, contact 1-800-522-4700.
A fun night of alcohol and card games could be an entertaining way to spend an evening, but your wallet may be left empty by morning.