Gambling?

[Aidensmom]

Is it all bad? What if it is just a poker game among friends? A lottery ticket? What if you win?

I would say someone that spends everyday at the track betting all their money has a problem, but like other things, it is the getting obsessed with it that is a bad thing. A game of poker with your friends, or a yearly night out at the dog tracks can be quite fun.

Opinions?

 

[froglady]

I have traveled to areas which have casinos (Paradise Island, Bahamas) and did go into the casino on each trip. My DH & I have a system. We buy $20 worth of chips each, and put them in our left pocket. We put any winnings in our right pocket. We gamble for a maximum of two hours, or until both pockets are empty. Anything left is cashed in and taken back to the room to spend the next day; if nothing is left, we consider it money spent on entertainment.

I also buy a lottery ticket if the pot is really high. I won around $10 a few months ago, which is about how much I spend a year, so I consider it "breaking even."

I have also gone to horse races and dog tracks a few times over the past 30+ years; won enough to pay for a nice dinner after going to the track once. Collected my (our) winnings and left!

 

[Aidensmom]

I have traveled to areas which have casinos (Paradise Island, Bahamas) and did go into the casino on each trip. My DH & I have a system. We buy $20 worth of chips each, and put them in our left pocket. We put any winnings in our right pocket. We gamble for a maximum of two hours, or until both pockets are empty. Anything left is cashed in and taken back to the room to spend the next day; if nothing is left, we consider it money spent on entertainment.

I also buy a lottery ticket if the pot is really high. I won around $10 a few months ago, which is about how much I spend a year, so I consider it "breaking even."

I have also gone to horse races and dog tracks a few times over the past 30+ years; won enough to pay for a nice dinner after going to the track once. Collected my (our) winnings and left!

You gamble like I do, as long as you break even, it is all good. No different than paying for a movie IMHO.

 

[Chuck S]

Gambling, like any other vice, is not in itself "bad". It depends on the individual. Gambling occasionally for fun/entertainment is different than being in the casino and losing the rent money. Just like having a glass of wine with dinner is OK for most folks, but you sure wouldn't want to dine with a drunk person, or someone who can't control their drinking.

I rarely play the lottery, especially after they changed the rules here in TX a few years ago. Before that, I played 3 sets of numbers 2x a week and won a few hundred dollars on a few occasions. I also go to Las Vegas every few years and take a little cash to play the slots...once it is gone, it is gone, and I go sightseeing.

 

[nwdisgal]

Ok, Aidensmom, I'm here

I had a bad stint once in Lake Tahoe. But I am so over it.

Still, if people like to gamble, I say "go for it". Hey, we used to play "21" and bet our Halloween candy.