The lottery is very simply a form of gambling in which participants bet a sum of money on a particular, uncertain, event occurring; which is, in this case, specific numbers being randomly picked. Although the lottery was, at one time, illegal in the United States it has since made it’s recovery upon being re-legalized in the name of the government making money without raising taxes. Since its revitalization per the United States government, the lottery is not only alive but also alive and well. According to the Report of the Audit of the Kentucky Lottery Corporation, in 2006 the state of Kentucky alone profited $242.9 million dollars, $204.3 million of that going to KHEAA (Luallen, Crit. Report of the Audit of the Kentucky Lottery Corporation),
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The nine-letter word is generally associated with drugs, pornography, or alcohol but very rarely can it ever be read about those being addicted to gambling. Unfortunately, this addiction is very real. In 1997, the Harvard Medical School Division on Addictions released a study stating that an estimated 7.5 million adults were considered “problem and pathological gamblers”. Even more alarming, the study suggested that there was an estimated 7.9 millions adolescents who were “problem and pathological gamblers” ( "Problem and Pathological Gambling." Harvard Medical School Division on Addiction, 1 Jan. 1997. Web. 16 Oct. 2014. <http://govinfo.library.unt.edu/ngisc/reports/4.pdf>). It could be assumed that those numbers have progressed in the last 17 years as gambling has become more readily available and patrons are learning how to beat the system. “The National Research Council Review on Pathological Gambling states the American Psychiatric Association….all seem to agree that pathological gamblers “engage in destructive behaviors; they commit crimes, they run up large debts, they damage relationships with family and friends, and they kill themselves. With the increased availability of gambling and new gambling technologies, pathological gambling has the potential to become even more widespread” (Harvard Medical School Division on Addiction, 1 Jan. 1997. Web. 16 Oct. 2014. http://govinfo.library.unt.edu/ngisc/reports/4.pdf>). Destructive, Law breakers, large debts, damaged relationships, and suicide are the characteristic of someone who is addicted to gambling. Not only does gambling effect the people around the one who is addicted, but it effects them to such a degree that often leads to suicide. Something must be done to help those who suffer with addictions. Something, before it is too late. Although many will claim that because there are
The nine-letter word is generally associated with drugs, pornography, or alcohol but very rarely can it ever be read about those being addicted to gambling. Unfortunately, this addiction is very real. In 1997, the Harvard Medical School Division on Addictions released a study stating that an estimated 7.5 million adults were considered “problem and pathological gamblers”. Even more alarming, the study suggested that there was an estimated 7.9 millions adolescents who were “problem and pathological gamblers” ( "Problem and Pathological Gambling." Harvard Medical School Division on Addiction, 1 Jan. 1997. Web. 16 Oct. 2014. <http://govinfo.library.unt.edu/ngisc/reports/4.pdf>). It could be assumed that those numbers have progressed in the last 17 years as gambling has become more readily available and patrons are learning how to beat the system. “The National Research Council Review on Pathological Gambling states the American Psychiatric Association….all seem to agree that pathological gamblers “engage in destructive behaviors; they commit crimes, they run up large debts, they damage relationships with family and friends, and they kill themselves. With the increased availability of gambling and new gambling technologies, pathological gambling has the potential to become even more widespread” (Harvard Medical School Division on Addiction, 1 Jan. 1997. Web. 16 Oct. 2014. http://govinfo.library.unt.edu/ngisc/reports/4.pdf>). Destructive, Law breakers, large debts, damaged relationships, and suicide are the characteristic of someone who is addicted to gambling. Not only does gambling effect the people around the one who is addicted, but it effects them to such a degree that often leads to suicide. Something must be done to help those who suffer with addictions. Something, before it is too late. Although many will claim that because there are