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Gambling Essay

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Gambling "Gambling is defined as risking money or something of value on the outcome of an event involving chance when probability of winning or losing is less than certain."[i] Over the past ten years, Ontario has undergone a dramatic change in gambling attitudes. Since the legalization of gambling in Ontario in 1994, there has been an explosion of gambling opportunities for the public. From commercial casinos to lottery tickets to off-track betting, it is easier to gamble today than ever before. While the government promotes the gambling industry to supplement tax revenues, it has not allocated …show more content…

Research suggests that for every problem gambler there are 10 to 17 people around him that will be negatively affected.[iv] Excessive spending on gambling can have serious consequences for the gambler's family. For the most part, bills and necessary expenses are not paid and the burden will fall onto the spouse or children.[v] There can also be a negative impact on the gamblers' work environment. If the gambler is not focused or absent from work, he may be fired which could add to his financial difficulty that started with his gambling habit. Crime is sometimes used to support gambling habits after bank accounts are exhausted.

Gambling is also associated with health problems. Approximately one in every four moderate to severe gamblers is seeing a doctor for stress related problems and approximately one in three gamblers have habitual feelings of depression.[vi] Many gamblers are also dealing with existing illnesses such as cancer, HIV, Parkinson's disease and chronic pain. They are often using gambling as an outlet for their pain and suffering. Another problem that gamblers develop is poor sleep and nutrition habits. They are often too busy to deal with their personal needs and allow their health to waste away. The compulsive gambler is costing an

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