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Compulsive Gambling

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COMPULSIVE GAMBLING: WIN, LOSE OR DRAW

Submitted by Jennifer Pelto
Dr. Champion
May 7, 2007
COMPULSIVE GAMBLING; WIN, LOSE OR DRAW?

"Just like a chemically addicted person, a compulsive gambler will do anything in order to get the money for a fix. To satisfy their habit, teens have been known to borrow tens of thousands of dollars from loan sharks, sell drugs, and even steal money from parents, boyfriends or girlfriends."(Howey : 1999)

At fourteen, an eighth-grader from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida became hooked on gambling. It all started with one bet on a jai alai match. Within a few years he was cutting class and spending 2500 dollars a week on jai alai. He even began stealing money from his parents and the theme park where he worked. By sixteen, Michael G. was an addict.(Nesbit : 1998) Compulsive gambling is an issue that is affecting millions of teenagers nationwide. The thrill of winning money and the attention gained from doing so is enough to cause an addiction. And since gambling is illegal for people under the age of eighteen, it seems more alluring to those who are not of legal age to play. Teens seem to think that gambling is harmless fun, but they have no idea of the problems that can come from it. "As more teens are being drawn into the culture of chance, gambling is influencing American society in deep and unexpected ways."(Morgan : 1996) In teens, at least five percent are problem gamblers and at least nine percent are at risk of having problems.(Franey : 2005) Time Magazine stated that one eight of the country's problem gamblers were teenagers.(Henry : 2003) Yale University concluded that teenagers who gamble are three times more likely to become addicted to gambling then adults.(K.C. : 2005) Also in recent years, researchers have found that compulsive gambling has been closely associated with

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