Swag+Masters.....Meowww!

=Gambling: To play any game of chance for money or other stakes =

MARIA AND CHAD :)
 * 1) **They have online gambling websites **
 * 2) **Casinos **
 * 3) **Famous in Las Vegas and Atlantic City **
 * 4) **Casinos are located all over the world **
 * 5) **Many people have an addiction to Gambling **
 * 6) **People with a gambling problems often go into debt **
 * 7) **They sell everything to make money to gamble **
 * 8) **Gambling addictions start just like any other addiction to drugs or alcohol. **
 * 9) **Begins with one high win **
 * 10) **Stages of Gambling Addictions **
 * 11) =====**Stage one: Winning **=====
 * 12) **Stage two: Losing **
 * 13) **Stage three: Depression **
 * 14) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Stage four: Getting help **
 * 15) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[] **


 * 1) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Maryland's Ages to gamble **
 * 2) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Lottery: 18 **
 * 3) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Parimutuel Betting: 18 **
 * 4) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Casinos and slot machines: 21 **
 * 5) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Charity bingo and Tab pull: 18 [] **

http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/addictions/gambling/498.html
 * 1) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Taxes raised from gambling. **
 * 2) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Online casinos give you the chance to choose the atmosphere and the ambience you want to have while playing. **
 * 3) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Things you can gamble on **
 * 4) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Horses Races **
 * 5) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Grades **
 * 6) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Sports **
 * 7) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Black jack **
 * 8) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Slots **
 * 9) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Craps **
 * 10) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Roulette **
 * 11) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Poker **
 * 12) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">illegal dog fights **
 * 13) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">illegal chicken fighting **
 * 14) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Klondike **
 * 15) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Casino die games **
 * 16) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Hustlers/Operator Dice Games **
 * 17) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Social Gambling dice games **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">23. Compulsive gambling, is when you feel bad about spending all the money, but wouldn't quit **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Signs of problem gambling include.. **
 * 1) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Lying about gambling **
 * 2) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Spending work or family time gambling **
 * 3) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Feeling bad after you gamble, but not quitting **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">4. Always thinking about gambling **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">5. Gambling with money you need for other thing **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">6. Ways to get help you gambling problems **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">7. Support groups can also help **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">8. Many people can control their compulsive gambling with medicines and therapy **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">9.Free addiction for hot line help **

[]

1. impossible to tell who's collecting the money from online casinos. 2. often run by illegal, offshore operations that do not pay off winners and are sometimes connected to organized crime 3. Always gamble with others and not alone 4. Having friends near by can keep you from getting out of hand 5. Set limits on how much time and money you spend on gambling 6. Never gamble on credit 7. Don't use household money for gambling 8. Don't drink alcohol while gambling 9. Pathologic gamblers can't control their impulses to gamble 10. end up losing a lot of money and get into financial trouble 11. Gambling usually causes problems with their work, school or relationships 12. Men or women of any age can be pathologic gamblers. 13. Depression, drinking and taking drugs often go along with pathological gambling 14. may also think about committing suicide 15. Gamblers Anonymous, a self-help group for problem gamblers. 16. Family and friends can be a big help [] are you have a gambling problemz? · Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy? · Did gambling affect your reputation? · Have you ever felt remorse after gambling? · Did you ever gamble to get money in which to pay debts or otherwise solve financial difficulties? · Did gambling cause a decrease in your ambition or efficiency? · After losing, did you feel you must return as soon as possible to win back your losses? · After a win, did you have a strong urge to return and win more? · Did you often gamble until your last dollar was gone? · Did you ever borrow to finance your gambling? · Have you ever sold anything to finance your gambling? · Were you reluctant to use "gambling money" for normal expenditures? · Did gambling make you careless of the welfare of yourself and your family? · Did you ever gamble longer than you planned? · Have you ever gambled to escape worry our trouble? · Have you ever committed or considered committing an illegal act to finance gambling? · Did gambling cause you to have difficulty in sleeping? · Do arguments, disappointments, or frustrations create within you an urge to gamble? · Did you ever have an urge to celebrate any good fortune by a few hours of gambling? · Have you ever considered self-destruction as a result of your gambling?
 * 1) Advantage gambling, or advantage play, refers to a practice of using legal ways to gain a mathematical advantage while gambling.
 * 2) advantage gambling usually refers to house-banked games, but can also refer to games played against other players, such as poker
 * 3) Someone who practices advantage gambling is referred to as an advantage player, or AP
 * 4) A good player can gain an advantage at a number of games
 * 5) Blackjack can usually be beaten with card counting and sometimes with shuffle tracking
 * 6) Some video poker games can be beaten by the use of a strategy card
 * 7) Some progressive slot machines can eventually have such a high jackpot that they offer a positive return when played
 * 8) Some online games can be beaten with bonus hunting
 * 9) Sports and horse betting can be beaten in the long run by skillful handicappers who only bet when they believe the line offers them an advantage
 * 10) Sports and horse betting can also be beaten by placing arbitrage bets, which involve placing bets at different bookmakers who are offering different lines
 * 11) Many online sports books now offer bonuses like free bets or free money
 * 12) These bonuses usually come with a stipulation that the bettor place a certain number of bets
 * 13) Casinos sometimes take measures to thwart players who they believe pose a threat to them, especially card-counters or hole-card players
 * 14) But some casinos tolerate card-counters who don't bet large amounts, who are not good at counting, or who don't use a large betting spread
 * 15) Some countermeasures include shuffling more frequently, imposing betting limits, "backing off" the player by asking him not to play blackjack any more, or asking the player to leave the casino
 * 16) Players caught counting cards or hole-carding ultimately may find themselves listed in the Griffin Book and become unwelcome in most casinos
 * 17) Video poker and skillful progressive slot players are rarely ejected, but it has happened
 * 18) They may have their comps reduced or eliminated
 * 19) Skillful sports bettors may have their betting limits reduced and may not be allowed to take advantage of bonuses at online sports books
 * 20) Craps players are often stopped from playing if the dice fail to bounce off of the back wall of the table

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">jessica's notes: <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">"Nearly a Million Addicted to Gambling - Telegraph." Telegraph.co.uk - Telegraph Online, Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph - Telegraph. Web. 16 Dec. 2010. <[]>.
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Since 1999, the opportunities to gamble have increased

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">"Gambling Addiction and Problem Gambling: Signs, Help, and Treatment." Helpguide.org: Understand, Prevent and Resolve Life's Challenges. Web. 16 Dec. 2010. [].

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">2. In America alone, problem gambling affects more than 15 million people > FACT: A problem gambler may gamble frequently or infrequently. Gambling is a problem if it causes problems. > FACT: Quick fix solutions may appear to be the right thing to do. However, bailing the gambler out of debt may actually make matters worse by enabling gambling problems to continue. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Gamblers Anonymous is a twelve-step recovery program patterned after Alcoholics Anonymous. A key part of a 12-step program is choosing a sponsor <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">12. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">13. When you feel the urge to gamble doing the following can help: <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">14. Does my loved one have a gambling problem? T these are the possible signs:
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">More than 3 million of these are considered severe problem gamblers
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Problem gambling can strain your relationships, interfere with responsibilities at home and work, and lead to financial problems
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Gambling addiction, also known as compulsive gambling, is a type of impulse-control disorder
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">MYTH: You have to gamble every day to be a problem gambler.
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">MYTH: If a problem gambler builds up a debt, you should help them take care of it.
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">feeling such as stress, depression, loneliness, fear, and anxiety can trigger compulsive gambling or make it worse
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Gambling addiction is sometimes referred to as the "hidden illness" because there are no obvious physical signs or symptoms like there are in drug or alcohol addiction
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">You may have a gambling problem if you:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Feel the need to be secretive about your gambling
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Have trouble controlling your gambling
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Gamble even when you don’t have the money.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Family and friends are worried about you.
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">every gambler has different problems
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Reason for Gambling || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Sample Substitute Behaviors ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">To provide excitement, get a rush of adrenaline || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Sport or a challenging hobby, such as mountain biking, rock climbing, or Go Kart racing ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">To be more social, overcome shyness || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Counseling, enroll in a public speaking class, join a social group ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">To numb unpleasant feelings, not think about problems || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Therapy, consult Helpguide’s Bring Your Life into Balance toolkit ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Boredom or loneliness || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Find something you’re passionate about such as art, music, sports, or books then find others with the same interests ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">To relax after a stressful day || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">As little as 15 minutes of daily exercise can relieve stress. Or deep breathing, meditation, or massage ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">To solve money problems || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">The odds are always stacked against you so it’s far better to seek help with debts from a credit counselor ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Reach out for support.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Do something else.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Postpone gambling.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Give yourself a reality check.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Become increasingly defensive about his or her gambling.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Suddenly become secretive over money and finances
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Become increasingly desperate for money to fund the gambling

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">15. Do’s and Don't for Partners of Problem Gamblers
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Do <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Don’t <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Source: Dept. of Mental Health & Addiction Services
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Seek the support of others with similar problems; attend a self-help group for families such as Gam-Anon.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Explain problem gambling to the children.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Recognize your partner’s good qualities.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Remain calm when speaking to your partner about his or her gambling and its consequences.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Let your partner know that you are seeking help for your own sake because of the way gambling affects you and the children.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Understand the need for treatment of problem gambling despite the time it may involve.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Take control of family finances; review bank and credit card statements.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Preach, lecture, or allow yourself to lose control of your anger.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Make threats or issue ultimatums unless you intend to carry them out.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Exclude the gambler from family life and activities.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Expect immediate recovery, or that all problems will be resolved when the gambling stops.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Bail out the gambler.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Cover-up or deny the existence of the problem to yourself, the family, or others.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">"Why Do People Gamble Too Much?--Pathological and Problem Gambling." California State Library. Web. 16 Dec. 2010. <http://www.library.ca.gov/crb/97/03/Chapt8.html>.


 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">To many people, gambling is a simple form of entertainment. But to some others, it becomes an uncontrollable behavior.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">top ten most famous casinos in las Vegas:

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">· [|Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino]
===

=== <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">"List of Casinos in Maryland." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 16 Dec. 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_casinos_in_Maryland>.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Casino || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">City || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">County || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">State || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">District || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Type || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Comments ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Unnamed [|Casino] || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[|Flintstone] || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Alleghany || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Maryland ||  || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Slot Machines Only (1,500) || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">This facility must be built on the grounds of [|Rocky Gap State Park] in western Maryland. First proposal rejected due to failure by the developer to pay licensing fees. The [|Maryland Lottery] subsequently lowered the casino tax rate for this location and allowed a second round of bids for new proposals. However, no developers submitted any bids. ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Unnamed [|Casino] || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[|Baltimore] || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Baltimore City || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Maryland ||  || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Slot Machines Only (3,750) || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">First proposal rejected due to failure by the developer to pay licensing fees. The [|Maryland Lottery] is yet to open up a second round of bids for new proposals by other developers. ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[|Hollywood Casino Perryville] || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[|Perryville] || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Cecil || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Maryland ||  || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Slot Machines Only (1,500) ||   ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[|Maryland Live!] || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[|Hanover] || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Anne Arundel || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Maryland ||  || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Slot Machines Only (4,750) || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Approved November 2nd, 2010 by a voter referendum. Temporary facility to open in 2011 and permanent building to open in 2012. ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[|Ocean Downs] || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[|Berlin] || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Worcester || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Maryland ||  || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Slot Machines Only (750) || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Opening January 4th, 2011. ||

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Zack's notes <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[] <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1. According to recent research, about 2.5 million adults in America are pathological gamblers and another 3 million of them should be considered problem gamblers, 15 million adults are at a risk for problem gambling and about 148 million are low-risk gamblers. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">2.80 percent of American adults report having gambled at some point in their lives. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">3. $500 billion is spent as annual wagers. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">5. Problem drinkers are more likely to have a gambling addiction problem. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Gambling addiction is seen more among Caucasian Americans than African Americans and Hispanic Americans. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">6. Gambling addiction is an illness that is progressive in nature, and can be deterred. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">7. Gambling addiction is a serious issue because many people go through daunting experiences before they are ready to accept help. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">8. Gambling addiction is a gambling behavior that causes disruptions in any major area of life - Psychological, Physical, Social or Vocational.
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">2.9 percent of U.S. adults are considered to be either pathological or problem gamblers.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[] <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">9. Betting on sports, buying lotto tickets, playing poker, slot machines, or roulette are only a few of the activities in which compulsive gamblers engage. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">10. The venue of choice for individuals with gambling addiction varies as well. While many prefer gambling in a casino, the rate of online/Internet gambling addiction continues to increase with increased use of the Internet. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">11. Gambling addiction is also called compulsive gambling or pathological gambling. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">12. Estimates of the number of people who gamble socially qualify for being diagnosed with a gambling addiction range from 2%-5% <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">13. Although more men than women are thought to suffer from pathological gambling, women are developing this disorder at higher rates, now making up as much as 25% of individuals with pathological gambling. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">14. Other facts about compulsive gambling are that men tend to develop this disorder during their early teenage years while women tend to develop it later. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">15. However, the disorder in women then tends to get worse at a much faster rate than in men. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">16. Other apparently gender-based differences in gambling addiction include the tendencies for men to become addicted to more interpersonal forms of gaming, like blackjack, craps or poker, whereas women tend to engage in less interpersonally based betting, like slot machines or bingo. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">17. Men with pathological gambling tend to receive counseling about issues other than gambling less often than their female counterparts. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">18. Binge gambling is a subtype of compulsive gambling that involves problem gambling but only during discrete periods of time. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">19. A preoccupation with gambling, either by reliving past gambling, planning for future gambling experiences, and/or thinking of ways to secure money to finance gambling <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">20. Needing more and more money for gambling in order to achieve the desired level of gambling enjoyment. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">21. Repeated unsuccessful attempts to stop or reduce betting behaviors. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">22. Becoming uneasy or easily irritated when trying to reduce or stop gambling. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">23. Gambling for the purpose of escaping problems or to relieve sadness or anxiety. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">24. Returning to gambling after losing money in an effort to recoup losses. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">25. Lying to family or other loved ones, mental-health professionals, or others in an effort to hide the extent of the gambling behavior. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">26. Committing crimes (for example, stealing, fraud, or forgery) in an effort to finance gambling. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">27. Risking important relationships, employment, or other opportunities due to gambling. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">28. Depending on others for money to resolve dire financial situations that are the result of gambling. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">29. People with compulsive gambling are more likely to experience domestic violence and child abuse. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">30. Children of problem gamblers are at significantly higher risk of suffering from depression, behavior problems, and substance abuse. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">31. One of the challenges of treatment of compulsive gambling is that as many as two-thirds of people who begin treatment for this disorder discontinue treatment prematurely, whether treatment involves medication, therapy or both.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[]

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">32. A major depressive disorder is likely to occur in 76 percent of pathological gamblers <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">33. In a study of gamblers enrolled in a treatment program, 10 percent considered and formulated plans to commit suicide within six months of enrollment to treatment.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[]

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">34. INDUSTRY 2007 GROSS REVENUES

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Card Rooms $1.18 billion Commercial Casinos $34.41 billion1 Charitable Games and Bingo $2.22 billion Indian Casinos $26.02 billion2 Legal Bookmaking $168.8 million Lotteries $24.78 billion Pari-mutuel Wagering $3.50 billion GRAND TOTAL $92.27 billion

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">35.One of the problems with gambling is that it can start off with innocent competition, for example, two teens tossing a football or Frisbee and one says, "I bet I can throw it farther than you" or "I bet I can hit that tree over there," or something of the sort.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">36. commercial casinos still take in the largest share of legal gambling revenue (43% in 2000), and lotteries take second place (28% in 2000), online gambling is estimated to bring in an amount that is roughly equal to what is spent in Indian casinos each year.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">37. People who oppose gambling in general believe that it brings higher crime rates to an area. Of course, this isn’t eligible for online gambling, unless you consider the possibility of your financial information being misused or hacked.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">38. This problem has a serious impact for those who suffer from it, with compulsive gambling statistics showing that as much as 48% of the members of Gamblers Anonymous have considered suicide.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">39. The American Gaming Association publishes revenue figures on legal gambling.[|4] In 2007, the total spent was over $92 Billion. The top gambling venues were: 40.A Gamblers Anonymous group started in the West Coast in 1949. In 1957, Jim W. and Sam J. established the modern Gamblers Anonymous to provide a support group as a form of gambling addiction help. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">﻿ 41. The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) was founded in the year 1972. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">﻿ 42.The Journal of Gambling, known earlier as the "Journal of Gambling Behavior" was first published in the year 1985, edited by Henry Lesieur, Ph.D. 'Gambling Anonymous' offers wide spread gambling addiction help. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">﻿ 43.Gambling addiction treatments can take the form of psychotherapy or medications. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">﻿ 44.Cognitive behavior therapy aims at replacing negative beliefs with healthy and positive ones as a form of gambling addiction treatment. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">﻿ 45.Medications for gambling addiction treatment are usually from the anti-depressant range.
 * Casinos (commercial and Native American): 60.43 Billion
 * State Lotteries: 24.78 Billion
 * Charitable games and bingo: 2.2 Billion
 * Card rooms: 1.18 Billion

=<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Gambling: To play any game of chance for money or other stakes =

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">MARIA AND <span style="color: #ff00da; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">CHAD :)
 * 1) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">They have online gambling websites **
 * 2) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Casinos **
 * 3) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Famous in Las Vegas and Atlantic City **
 * 4) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Casinos are located all over the world **
 * 5) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Many people have an addiction to Gambling **
 * 6) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">People with a gambling problems often go into debt **
 * 7) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">They sell everything to make money to gamble **
 * 8) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Gambling addictions start just like any other addiction to drugs or alcohol. **
 * 9) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Begins with one high win **
 * 10) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Stages of Gambling Addictions **
 * 11) =====**<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Stage one: Winning **=====
 * 12) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Stage two: Losing **
 * 13) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Stage three: Depression **
 * 14) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Stage four: Getting help **
 * =, By. "Gambling Addiction Treatment." //Drug Treatment Centers Alcohol Rehab Programs and Drug Rehabilitation Centers//. Web. 21 Dec. 2010. <http://www.treatment-centers.net/gambling-addiction.html>.


 * 1) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Maryland's Ages to gamble **
 * 2) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Lottery: 18 **
 * 3) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Parimutuel Betting: 18 **
 * 4) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Casinos and slot machines: 21 **
 * 5) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Charity bingo and Tab pull: 18 **
 * 6) "Minimum Age to Gamble at USA Casinos: Gambling Age Chart." //World Casino Directory - Casino Guide and Gambling Forums//. Web. 21 Dec. 2010. <http://www.worldcasinodirectory.com/gambling_age_chart.htm>.

http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/addictions/gambling/498.html
 * 1) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Taxes raised from gambling. **
 * 2) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Online casinos give you the chance to choose the atmosphere and the ambience you want to have while playing. **
 * 3) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Things you can gamble on **
 * 4) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Horses Races **
 * 5) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Grades **
 * 6) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Sports **
 * 7) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Black jack **
 * 8) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Slots **
 * 9) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Craps **
 * 10) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Roulette **
 * 11) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Poker **
 * 12) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">illegal dog fights **
 * 13) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">illegal chicken fighting **
 * 14) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Klondike **
 * 15) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Casino die games **
 * 16) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Hustlers/Operator Dice Games **
 * 17) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Social Gambling dice games **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">23. Compulsive gambling, is when you feel bad about spending all the money, but wouldn't quit **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Signs of problem gambling include.. **
 * 1) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Lying about gambling **
 * 2) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Spending work or family time gambling **
 * 3) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Feeling bad after you gamble, but not quitting **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">4. Always thinking about gambling **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">5. Gambling with money you need for other thing **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">6. Ways to get help you gambling problems **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">7. Support groups can also help **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">8. Many people can control their compulsive gambling with medicines and therapy **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">9.Free addiction for hot line help **

"MDCH - Information about Some Types of Gambling." //SOM - State of Michigan//. Web. 21 Dec. 2010. <http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-2941_4871_43661_43663-15563--,00.html>. 1. impossible to tell who's collecting the money from online casinos. 2. often run by illegal, offshore operations that do not pay off winners and are sometimes connected to organized crime 3. Always gamble with others and not alone 4. Having friends near by can keep you from getting out of hand 5. Set limits on how much time and money you spend on gambling 6. Never gamble on credit 7. Don't use household money for gambling 8. Don't drink alcohol while gambling 9. Pathologic gamblers can't control their impulses to gamble 10. end up losing a lot of money and get into financial trouble 11. Gambling usually causes problems with their work, school or relationships 12. Men or women of any age can be pathologic gamblers. 13. Depression, drinking and taking drugs often go along with pathological gambling 14. may also think about committing suicide 15. Gamblers Anonymous, a self-help group for problem gamblers. 16. Family and friends can be a big help "Gambling Addiction." //Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery//. Web. 21 Dec. 2010. <http://www.addictionrecov.org/Addictions/index.aspx?AID=41>. are you have a gambling problemz? · Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy? · Did gambling affect your reputation? · Have you ever felt remorse after gambling? · Did you ever gamble to get money in which to pay debts or otherwise solve financial difficulties? · Did gambling cause a decrease in your ambition or efficiency? · After losing, did you feel you must return as soon as possible to win back your losses? · After a win, did you have a strong urge to return and win more? · Did you often gamble until your last dollar was gone? · Did you ever borrow to finance your gambling? · Have you ever sold anything to finance your gambling? · Were you reluctant to use "gambling money" for normal expenditures? · Did gambling make you careless of the welfare of yourself and your family? · Did you ever gamble longer than you planned? · Have you ever gambled to escape worry our trouble? · Have you ever committed or considered committing an illegal act to finance gambling? · Did gambling cause you to have difficulty in sleeping? · Do arguments, disappointments, or frustrations create within you an urge to gamble? · Did you ever have an urge to celebrate any good fortune by a few hours of gambling? · Have you ever considered self-destruction as a result of your gambling?
 * 1) Advantage gambling, or advantage play, refers to a practice of using legal ways to gain a mathematical advantage while gambling.
 * 2) advantage gambling usually refers to house-banked games, but can also refer to games played against other players, such as poker
 * 3) Someone who practices advantage gambling is referred to as an advantage player, or AP
 * 4) A good player can gain an advantage at a number of games
 * 5) Blackjack can usually be beaten with card counting and sometimes with shuffle tracking
 * 6) Some video poker games can be beaten by the use of a strategy card
 * 7) Some progressive slot machines can eventually have such a high jackpot that they offer a positive return when played
 * 8) Some online games can be beaten with bonus hunting
 * 9) Sports and horse betting can be beaten in the long run by skillful handicappers who only bet when they believe the line offers them an advantage
 * 10) Sports and horse betting can also be beaten by placing arbitrage bets, which involve placing bets at different bookmakers who are offering different lines
 * 11) Many online sports books now offer bonuses like free bets or free money
 * 12) These bonuses usually come with a stipulation that the bettor place a certain number of bets
 * 13) Casinos sometimes take measures to thwart players who they believe pose a threat to them, especially card-counters or hole-card players
 * 14) But some casinos tolerate card-counters who don't bet large amounts, who are not good at counting, or who don't use a large betting spread
 * 15) Some countermeasures include shuffling more frequently, imposing betting limits, "backing off" the player by asking him not to play blackjack any more, or asking the player to leave the casino
 * 16) Players caught counting cards or hole-carding ultimately may find themselves listed in the Griffin Book and become unwelcome in most casinos
 * 17) Video poker and skillful progressive slot players are rarely ejected, but it has happened
 * 18) They may have their comps reduced or eliminated
 * 19) Skillful sports bettors may have their betting limits reduced and may not be allowed to take advantage of bonuses at online sports books
 * 20) Craps players are often stopped from playing if the dice fail to bounce off of the back wall of the table

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">jessica's notes: <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">"Nearly a Million Addicted to Gambling - Telegraph." Telegraph.co.uk - Telegraph Online, Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph - Telegraph. Web. 16 Dec. 2010. <[]>.
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Since 1999, the opportunities to gamble have increased

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">"Gambling Addiction and Problem Gambling: Signs, Help, and Treatment." Helpguide.org: Understand, Prevent and Resolve Life's Challenges. Web. 16 Dec. 2010. [].

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">2. In America alone, problem gambling affects more than 15 million people > FACT: A problem gambler may gamble frequently or infrequently. Gambling is a problem if it causes problems. > FACT: Quick fix solutions may appear to be the right thing to do. However, bailing the gambler out of debt may actually make matters worse by enabling gambling problems to continue. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Gamblers Anonymous is a twelve-step recovery program patterned after Alcoholics Anonymous. A key part of a 12-step program is choosing a sponsor <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">12. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">13. When you feel the urge to gamble doing the following can help: <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">14. Does my loved one have a gambling problem? T these are the possible signs:
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">More than 3 million of these are considered severe problem gamblers
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Problem gambling can strain your relationships, interfere with responsibilities at home and work, and lead to financial problems
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Gambling addiction, also known as compulsive gambling, is a type of impulse-control disorder
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">MYTH: You have to gamble every day to be a problem gambler.
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">MYTH: If a problem gambler builds up a debt, you should help them take care of it.
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">feeling such as stress, depression, loneliness, fear, and anxiety can trigger compulsive gambling or make it worse
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Gambling addiction is sometimes referred to as the "hidden illness" because there are no obvious physical signs or symptoms like there are in drug or alcohol addiction
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">You may have a gambling problem if you:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Feel the need to be secretive about your gambling
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Have trouble controlling your gambling
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Gamble even when you don’t have the money.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Family and friends are worried about you.
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">every gambler has different problems
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Reason for Gambling || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Sample Substitute Behaviors ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">To provide excitement, get a rush of adrenaline || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Sport or a challenging hobby, such as mountain biking, rock climbing, or Go Kart racing ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">To be more social, overcome shyness || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Counseling, enroll in a public speaking class, join a social group ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">To numb unpleasant feelings, not think about problems || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Therapy, consult Helpguide’s Bring Your Life into Balance toolkit ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Boredom or loneliness || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Find something you’re passionate about such as art, music, sports, or books then find others with the same interests ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">To relax after a stressful day || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">As little as 15 minutes of daily exercise can relieve stress. Or deep breathing, meditation, or massage ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">To solve money problems || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">The odds are always stacked against you so it’s far better to seek help with debts from a credit counselor ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Reach out for support.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Do something else.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Postpone gambling.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Give yourself a reality check.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Become increasingly defensive about his or her gambling.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Suddenly become secretive over money and finances
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Become increasingly desperate for money to fund the gambling

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">15. Do’s and Don't for Partners of Problem Gamblers
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Do <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Don’t <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Source: Dept. of Mental Health & Addiction Services
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Seek the support of others with similar problems; attend a self-help group for families such as Gam-Anon.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Explain problem gambling to the children.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Recognize your partner’s good qualities.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Remain calm when speaking to your partner about his or her gambling and its consequences.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Let your partner know that you are seeking help for your own sake because of the way gambling affects you and the children.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Understand the need for treatment of problem gambling despite the time it may involve.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Take control of family finances; review bank and credit card statements.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Preach, lecture, or allow yourself to lose control of your anger.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Make threats or issue ultimatums unless you intend to carry them out.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Exclude the gambler from family life and activities.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Expect immediate recovery, or that all problems will be resolved when the gambling stops.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Bail out the gambler.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Cover-up or deny the existence of the problem to yourself, the family, or others.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">"Why Do People Gamble Too Much?--Pathological and Problem Gambling." California State Library. Web. 16 Dec. 2010. <http://www.library.ca.gov/crb/97/03/Chapt8.html>.


 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">To many people, gambling is a simple form of entertainment. But to some others, it becomes an uncontrollable behavior.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">top ten most famous casinos in las Vegas:

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">· [|Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino]
===

=== <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">"List of Casinos in Maryland." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 16 Dec. 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_casinos_in_Maryland>.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Casino || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">City || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">County || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">State || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">District || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Type || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Comments ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Unnamed [|Casino] || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[|Flintstone] || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Alleghany || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Maryland ||  || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Slot Machines Only (1,500) || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">This facility must be built on the grounds of [|Rocky Gap State Park] in western Maryland. First proposal rejected due to failure by the developer to pay licensing fees. The [|Maryland Lottery] subsequently lowered the casino tax rate for this location and allowed a second round of bids for new proposals. However, no developers submitted any bids. ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Unnamed [|Casino] || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[|Baltimore] || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Baltimore City || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Maryland ||  || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Slot Machines Only (3,750) || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">First proposal rejected due to failure by the developer to pay licensing fees. The [|Maryland Lottery] is yet to open up a second round of bids for new proposals by other developers. ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[|Hollywood Casino Perryville] || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[|Perryville] || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Cecil || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Maryland ||  || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Slot Machines Only (1,500) ||   ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[|Maryland Live!] || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[|Hanover] || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Anne Arundel || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Maryland ||  || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Slot Machines Only (4,750) || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Approved November 2nd, 2010 by a voter referendum. Temporary facility to open in 2011 and permanent building to open in 2012. ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[|Ocean Downs] || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[|Berlin] || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Worcester || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Maryland ||  || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Slot Machines Only (750) || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Opening January 4th, 2011. ||

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Zack's notes [|"Gambling Addiction - Gambling Addiction Statistics." //ClearLead, Inc. - Search Engine Optimization(SEO) | Internet Website Marketing Firm//. Web. 21 Dec. 2010. <http://www.clearleadinc.com/site/gambling-addiction.html>.] <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1. According to recent research, about 2.5 million adults in America are pathological gamblers and another 3 million of them should be considered problem gamblers, 15 million adults are at a risk for problem gambling and about 148 million are low-risk gamblers. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">2.80 percent of American adults report having gambled at some point in their lives. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">3. $500 billion is spent as annual wagers. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">5. Problem drinkers are more likely to have a gambling addiction problem. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Gambling addiction is seen more among Caucasian Americans than African Americans and Hispanic Americans. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">6. Gambling addiction is an illness that is progressive in nature, and can be deterred. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">7. Gambling addiction is a serious issue because many people go through daunting experiences before they are ready to accept help. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">8. Gambling addiction is a gambling behavior that causes disruptions in any major area of life - Psychological, Physical, Social or Vocational.
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">2.9 percent of U.S. adults are considered to be either pathological or problem gamblers.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[] <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">9. Betting on sports, buying lotto tickets, playing poker, slot machines, or roulette are only a few of the activities in which compulsive gamblers engage. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">10. The venue of choice for individuals with gambling addiction varies as well. While many prefer gambling in a casino, the rate of online/Internet gambling addiction continues to increase with increased use of the Internet. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">11. Gambling addiction is also called compulsive gambling or pathological gambling. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">12. Estimates of the number of people who gamble socially qualify for being diagnosed with a gambling addiction range from 2%-5% <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">13. Although more men than women are thought to suffer from pathological gambling, women are developing this disorder at higher rates, now making up as much as 25% of individuals with pathological gambling. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">14. Other facts about compulsive gambling are that men tend to develop this disorder during their early teenage years while women tend to develop it later. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">15. However, the disorder in women then tends to get worse at a much faster rate than in men. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">16. Other apparently gender-based differences in gambling addiction include the tendencies for men to become addicted to more interpersonal forms of gaming, like blackjack, craps or poker, whereas women tend to engage in less interpersonally based betting, like slot machines or bingo. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">17. Men with pathological gambling tend to receive counseling about issues other than gambling less often than their female counterparts. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">18. Binge gambling is a subtype of compulsive gambling that involves problem gambling but only during discrete periods of time. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">19. A preoccupation with gambling, either by reliving past gambling, planning for future gambling experiences, and/or thinking of ways to secure money to finance gambling <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">20. Needing more and more money for gambling in order to achieve the desired level of gambling enjoyment. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">21. Repeated unsuccessful attempts to stop or reduce betting behaviors. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">22. Becoming uneasy or easily irritated when trying to reduce or stop gambling. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">23. Gambling for the purpose of escaping problems or to relieve sadness or anxiety. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">24. Returning to gambling after losing money in an effort to recoup losses. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">25. Lying to family or other loved ones, mental-health professionals, or others in an effort to hide the extent of the gambling behavior. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">26. Committing crimes (for example, stealing, fraud, or forgery) in an effort to finance gambling. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">27. Risking important relationships, employment, or other opportunities due to gambling. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">28. Depending on others for money to resolve dire financial situations that are the result of gambling. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">29. People with compulsive gambling are more likely to experience domestic violence and child abuse. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">30. Children of problem gamblers are at significantly higher risk of suffering from depression, behavior problems, and substance abuse. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">31. One of the challenges of treatment of compulsive gambling is that as many as two-thirds of people who begin treatment for this disorder discontinue treatment prematurely, whether treatment involves medication, therapy or both.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[]

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">32. A major depressive disorder is likely to occur in 76 percent of pathological gamblers <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">33. In a study of gamblers enrolled in a treatment program, 10 percent considered and formulated plans to commit suicide within six months of enrollment to treatment.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[]

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">34. INDUSTRY 2007 GROSS REVENUES

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Card Rooms $1.18 billion Commercial Casinos $34.41 billion1 Charitable Games and Bingo $2.22 billion Indian Casinos $26.02 billion2 Legal Bookmaking $168.8 million Lotteries $24.78 billion Pari-mutuel Wagering $3.50 billion GRAND TOTAL $92.27 billion

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">35.One of the problems with gambling is that it can start off with innocent competition, for example, two teens tossing a football or Frisbee and one says, "I bet I can throw it farther than you" or "I bet I can hit that tree over there," or something of the sort.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">36. commercial casinos still take in the largest share of legal gambling revenue (43% in 2000), and lotteries take second place (28% in 2000), online gambling is estimated to bring in an amount that is roughly equal to what is spent in Indian casinos each year.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">37. People who oppose gambling in general believe that it brings higher crime rates to an area. Of course, this isn’t eligible for online gambling, unless you consider the possibility of your financial information being misused or hacked.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">38. This problem has a serious impact for those who suffer from it, with compulsive gambling statistics showing that as much as 48% of the members of Gamblers Anonymous have considered suicide.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">39. The American Gaming Association publishes revenue figures on legal gambling.[|4] In 2007, the total spent was over $92 Billion. The top gambling venues were: 40.A Gamblers Anonymous group started in the West Coast in 1949. In 1957, Jim W. and Sam J. established the modern Gamblers Anonymous to provide a support group as a form of gambling addiction help. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">﻿ 41. The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) was founded in the year 1972. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">﻿ 42.The Journal of Gambling, known earlier as the "Journal of Gambling Behavior" was first published in the year 1985, edited by Henry Lesieur, Ph.D. 'Gambling Anonymous' offers wide spread gambling addiction help. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">﻿ 43.Gambling addiction treatments can take the form of psychotherapy or medications. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">﻿ 44.Cognitive behavior therapy aims at replacing negative beliefs with healthy and positive ones as a form of gambling addiction treatment. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">﻿ 45.Medications for gambling addiction treatment are usually from the anti-depressant range.
 * Casinos (commercial and Native American): 60.43 Billion
 * State Lotteries: 24.78 Billion
 * Charitable games and bingo: 2.2 Billion
 * Card rooms: 1.18 Billion