Casino and American Gaming Association

Gambling is the betting of money on a random outcome. It includes bingo, lotteries, some card games, slot machines and of course many other games that are played in casinos. It is what people consider a personal choice and a form of entertainment. People should not be denied an activity that they enjoy, legalizing gambling would bypass that statement; as for the regulating, addition to the age restriction, government should prevent fraudulent acts from taking place and protect the players. Gambling can create jobs and help the country’s economy; however, the economic benefits are exaggerated and jobs created are usually low paid. It creates jobs in casinos such as security guards and dealers. The jobs are not only in casinos, there are also in hotels and many tourist locations. Gambling is also often used to raise money for the states and good causes by taxing the winnings. However, George Molyneaux, coach of the Scotland schools debating team stated, â€Å"The economic benefits of gambling are exaggerated. They generally created low paid jobs for local people and it is immoral for the states to raise money by exploring stupidity and greed†. This states that jobs created by casinos and gambling are low paid and do not do any good. This statement is not true because casinos actually helped to regenerate places with unemployment, such as Atlantic City in New Jersey. According to American Gaming Association â€Å"In 2002, the commercial casino industry provided more than 350000 jobs in the United States, with wages and benefits totaling $ 11 billion. An estimated 400000 additional jobs are supported by casino industry spending†. In one year that is a lot of employment. And the paychecks aren’t that low. That is more than an elementary school teacher income which is $24,030. â€Å"In 2004, the median earnings of a casino security guard were $24,510† (collegegrad. com). Thus, really gambling helps more that it damages. Gambling is an entertainment, it is a leisure pursuit that people enjoy, but some time it can be addicting resulting in a loss of money. Gamblers know that they are likely to lose money. They still gamble because it is enjoyable. They even get excited about a possibility that they might win, even if they lose they enjoy the experience. However, George Molyneaux claims â€Å"Gambling is addictive; many people start gambling without thinking. Once they get addicted, it is too lateâ€Å". True, gambling can be addictive but adults can control themselves. After all the limiting age is 21, meaning when 21, one is considered an adult and is capable of making comprehensive and conscious choices. According to USplayers. com â€Å"Unlike Drugs, gambling is not physically addictive, it is only psychologically addictive. Treatment programs can address those who are addicted†. People are well aware of the risks of addiction and gambling and should be able to choose how to spend their money. Legalizing gambling would let people to do what they enjoy more freely and in more places. Spending 20 dollars on a 2 hours movie has the same amount of pleasures as betting 20 dollars gambling for 2 hours. One could at least win some money back in gambling. The point is that people enjoy gambling and should not be stopped from doing so, when it actually has benefits. Bottom line, legalization and regulation of gambling are beneficial to both parties: government and the gambler.Work Cited http://www.collegegrad.com/careers/servi24.shtml http://www.usaplayers.com/gambling/questions/why-online-gambling-should-be-legal-in-usa.html