The Untapped Benefits of Gambling
Some people cringe at the thought of being labeled as a gambler
since the stigma would forever hound them. People have different
reasons as to why they gamble. Some gamble to forget their
problems, others for fun, or to while away the time, those who
play seriously and those who are addicted to it.
But all is not negative when it comes to gambling as there are
untapped benefits of gambling which cannot be seen within the
walls of the casino, or the race track, or in the bingo social
hall.
Employment
In Las Vegas, a whopping 60 percent of the employment ratio is
attributed to the presence of casinos. Imagine what would happen
to Las Vegas if all the casinos suddenly stopped operating.
Entertainment
Self-discipline is the key. Gambling is for entertainment, as it
was intended to be. Others just couldn't handle a loss and
always kept right on thinking that the next card would be the
one to salvage all that has been lost. But it never does. And
these types of gamblers only comprise one-fourth of the gambling
population who cannot gamble responsibly.
Imagine the other 75 percent who responsibly gamble. These are
the people who find the entertainment value of gambling and they
are never blinded by the illusion that hitting it big time just
once is the key to financial freedom.
It is sad that only a small percentage of the gambling
population gets the bad rap of how gambling can be so
destructive. Families, friends, properties, jobs, crimes and
deception permeate the destruction brought about by gambling.
Charity Work
Winnings from gambling activities have contributed in providing
the needed financial support of worthy causes. They use gambling
activities such as bingos or lotteries with a percentage of the
jackpot winnings tied with charity institutions.
Some celebrities even show their prowess in card games like
poker to provide entertainment for the viewers and winnings for
the charity institution they represent.
Health benefit
Studies have been found that retirees 65 years old and above who
gamble have less health issues such as depression, alcoholism
and bankruptcy as they find gambling to be therapeutic as it
exercises their mind and keep them alert.
The study was not conclusive, however, because retiree gamblers
are the recreational gamblers who find the entertainment value
of gambling. They are healthier because they are healthy to
begin with and not because they gamble.
In the end, it is not the gambling act itself that makes it
beneficial or harmful to the individual. It is the decision of
the individual if gambling would rule him or he would rule his
gambling habit.