"Americans no longer believe the pitch that gambling is 'economic development', and a 'painless revenue stream.' People aren't listening to thieves promoting gambling as 'just another form of entertainment' like shopping and the movies.' The bloom is off the gambling rose and its thorns are starting to pierce the consciousness of America." - NCALG (National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling) Executive Director Tom Grey.

Thirty years ago, this month, I was in what is referred to as the Desperation Phase of Compulsive Gambling. I was 30 years old, married with 2 children. I was in debt for the amount of three times my annual salary. I owed two finance companies, three banks, loan sharks and bookmakers and family, friends and co- workers for a total of thirty-two people. I had just written a check to a stock brokerage firm for $4400.00 (to purchase stocks) and all I had was $10 in my account. I thought about suicide on a daily basis, but never had enough guts to carry it out.

The following is part of a comprehensive study (re-written) on pathological gambling (gambling addiction) from the Library and Archives of Canada: "3. Conceptualizing, defining and measuring problem gambling." The original study is in the public domain.

After having many years of support group experience in a leader capacity I have learned a few things about appropriate support and confrontations. Many of the situations I dealt with were life and death and loss of a loved one for many reasons including addictions of all sorts. So even though I'm on the other side of the fence right now, I still have the knowledge to be able to relate this information to this group, so it can be more functional. I can hear a lot of frustration in some of the posts right now... so without having to address each and everyone of these...

Written by a 37 year veteran of the casino industry

If people do not lose their money in casinos

They will lose it somewhere else Why not take their money

All gamblers are MUGS All we have to do is get them in the door

They cannot win No casino has ever gone broke It is a license to print money

If people are stupid enough to gamble

They deserve all they get

Or all they DON'T get We sell them a dream

And a dream is all it is

And all it ever will be

We never talk of "gambling" We talk of "playing"

We never mention the word "lose"