While doing research for today’s column, here is a headline I ran across: GAMBLING ADDICTION STATISTICS 2023: IS IT A MENTAL ILLNESS? And here is the subtitle: Gambling can be a fun thing to do, but when you see the gambling addiction statistics and facts, you will see the less glamorous and fun side of it.

From my perspective, I will go a step further. It has been coming on over the past several years but today I think that gambling is the scourge of society. If you don’t know what the word “scourge” means, the dictionary says, “A cause of suffering or trouble.” However, unlike a disease or an accident, this one is brought on by an individual’s own choice or decision. 

Now, I don’t know about you, but I don’t want a dose of that, do you? Now, you may disagree with what I am going to say, but based on what I have just shared, the real question again is, “how did we get to this point in time?” Here is the answer to this question: the people in this industry have learned the art of appealing to our natural instinct of wanting something for nothing. If we can go in to a gambling hall, risk a little money, and come away with a lot, that is where I want to go and spend my time. Sadly, in most cases, it does not work out this way. If you don’t already know, the Bible does not forbid or prohibit gambling. However, it does say in I Timothy 6:10 that “the love of money is the root of all evil.”

We have a casino down in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, called Saracen that constantly fills our airwaves with commercials, and I can promise you that everyone in the commercials looks like they have died and gone to Heaven. They look like they are having more fun than the law should allow. Another thing they do is give away a luxury automobile each month. I found out that the catch is you have to be present to win. We also have live gambling at the racetrack in Hot Springs. 

But back to the statistics, especially for those who may be addicted: Gambling addiction risk increases by 23-fold for gamblers who also have alcohol disorders or addiction. It is estimated that 750,000 teens to young adults ages 14 to 21 suffer from gambling addiction. Young adult college students are at more than double the risk of developing a gambling addiction. It is estimated that 6 percent of American college students battle gambling problems and on and on. 

Another weak spot for gambling addiction is sports betting. When we have a favorite sports team, it is just natural to get behind them, and all too often to think it’s a sure thing to bet money on them. I don’t bet but this past season I was wrong too many times, on the team I thought was going to win. This was largely because I wanted them to win.

Now, please don’t misunderstand, I am not trying to tell you or anyone else how to live their life, that is your own personal choice. I am just pointing out some things for you to consider if you have a tendency to roll the dice. A personal request: if you have friends or loved ones who battle gambling addiction, please share this column with them. I care.

—

(Jim Davidson is an author, public speaker, syndicated columnist, and Founder of the Bookcase for Every Child project. Since its inception in the Log Cabin Democrat in 1995, Jim’s column has been self-syndicated in over 375 newspapers in 35 states. For a personalized copy of “Your Future Begins Today” send $20, which includes postage and handling, to Jim Davidson, 2 Bentley Drive, Conway, AR 72034.)