Posted by C.Worring
Do you ever notice that when driving cross country an ad for gambling is always just a few miles away? I noticed it more when we drove from Chicago back to San Francisco. I even noticed it up in Canada!
Gambling in the US as we know, started out in the 1930s. It is legal in the US, and falls under the federal law-- that gambling is legal and each state is free to regulate or prohibit it's practice. Gambling has been legal in the state of Nevada since 1931 and it has helped it's economy tremendously. Everyone knows that Las Vegas is famous for it's gambling! In 1976, gambling was legalized in New Jersey- Atlantic City and the state of Mississippi followed. By 1987 --as favored by the US Supreme Court, Native American tribes have built their own casinos on their respective tribal lands for income.
Since we all know that Native American tribes are considered sovereign nations, they are often exempt from state laws that restricts gambling. They are however regulated under Federal Law.
I myself have been in these casinos! I don't like hanging out next to the "high roller" tables and such...I prefer the slot machines! The best are the penny machines...they are just a lot of fun and you can bet so much more money...well more pennies. It is interesting to watch every walk of life in these casinos. I truly admire the older ladies and some gentlemen with their good luck charms on the slot machine. Some, even put some kind of a spell on a machine... I am serious! I saw a lady once, put a miniature buddha, with a rabbit's foot and some stone for luck. I was right next to her. She looked at me and put her hand on her slot machine...like she is telling me that it's her's...giving me the look that if I touch the machine, her luck might disappear! I swear!
Well, I decided to play the slots and guess what.. I put a $5.00 bill and whala...I won $100.00! Yes $100! A different lady next to me looked at me and said, " I can tell this is your first time...that is why you won." It's interesting how much attention you get when you win. Well, the slot machine makes this really loud sound so everyone in the area knows that you are winning! It is not only winning but the attention you get from winning! I thanked her with a huge smile on my face! I stopped playing immedietly and cashed in my winnings. I just can't fathom loosing $20.00 or even $2.00....
I just won $100.00 !!!...the best part of it is that this amount was tax free!!!
I stayed and watched the slot players...each had either content or dismay and some have this anger in their faces. I could tell that it is highly addictive! Yes it is fun...the noises it makes if you win a row and the bonus points you get..but is it really fun?
In my opinion, I think it's all about "winning"!!! When someone tells me they go to the casino to have fun....I ask them again. "Are you sure?" Because if I were you, I want to win! And winning then makes it fun! Because if you loose...I am sure a number of gamblers really feel the loss. This in itself would not be fun...right?
The Native Americans are extremely smart people for setting this gaming facilities up! Not only do they have control of this business...but the money generated is considerably good... but loses and the addiction do come hand in hand.
As fun as it may be with these gaming facilities, my advise to all is to always set a limit on how much you are betting and make sure to stop when you reach this threshold-- and stick with it do not give in! Keep only cash with you and never use your credit cards for cash advances! This can lead to some serious financial issues later if practiced often. Keep in mind it is a game of chance....it's a machine! Go on ahead bring the baby buddha for luck...but please do not take ownership of the slot machine!
hilarious!
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