Gambling With Caution

John* has a gambling problem, but he doesn't want people to know about it: I was just looking for something to do. Bored at work. Figured, I like sports. Why not try a little online gambling?" he said. Fortunately, John just lost money before deciding to seek help. Others lose their loved ones and sometimes everything else. "It wasn't like I was spending my house payment on it. It got to the point I was spending [up to] $600 on a game of college basketball. And I didn't even like college basketball. I wouldn't even watch the game. It was because I had to bet that day," he said.

Psychologists say that in the last few years their visits from gambling addicts have grown 10 times. Bill Dubin explains why Internet gambling has become so addictive:

"The magnetic force of earth influences a compass needle to point to the North Pole. If I put a magnet near the compass, the greater the influence over the compass needle than the magnetic force of the earth because it's so close. The desire to gamble is analogous to the magnet. It's not that a person wants to gamble more than be a good dad or a good husband. But, the desire to gamble could have a bigger influence over their behavior because it's so close," he said. My recommendation? Have fun, but make sure you have enough money left to buy you dinner and a peace of mind.


*The name have been changed.