Gambling

How media affects our perceptions of gambling:

The Gambling industry is very good at marketing and like it or not, everyone is a target.  But if you know the tricks, you can shut them down.  Think about it, all you ever see advertised are the easy wins, the glamour, false fantasies.  These depictions can be very misleading.

Lotteries commercials implore you to dream of the possibilities and instant gratification. They don’t mention that you are much more likely to be hit by lightning then win big.

Poker websites are capitalizing on the Texas hold’em fad.  The industry uses celebrities to use their fame and draw you in.  They suggest if you play, you’ll be just like your favorite movie star or sports hero.

Sports betting and poker is being advertised as a sport however it is gambling. Organized pools, wagers on sports & poker can be just as addictive as casinos, machines & tickets.

Online gaming sites target vulnerable populations such as youth and university/colledge age students. They are always looking for ways to entice new customers. They position their sites as being great ways to, have fun, make free money, relieve the stress of school/university, etc. Of course, it’s also a great way to empty our bank account.

Many online poker sites offer “practice” sites where you can play poker without betting real money.  Your odds of winning on these sites are much higher then paying sites.  What they are hoping for is by practicing, you’ll feel confident enough to play on paying sites where they can hook you.

Online sites make it very easy for you to keep playing without even leaving your home.  All you have to do is register your credit card through PayPal and then wait for your monthly statement.  This is very dangerous because you don’t see the money going.

The Gaming Industry recognized that the senior population is a growing demographic. They attract seniors (particularly women) to casinos by offering incentives such as bus tours, cheap meals, entertainment, coupons. Often bus trips are organized by retirement homes or senior centers.