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Detection. Gambling addiction is often harder to detect than alcohol or drug addiction because there are no clear physical effects. People who are addicted to gambling often continue attending and performing well at their jobs, which allows them to rationalize their behavior to others and continue it. They may be able to continue earning money, but they gamble it away far quicker than they can earn it. Addicted gamblers often gamble away their own and their family’s wealth. Like any other addiction, there is a pattern of financial loss beginning with draining accounts and maxing out credit cards. Late and missed payments cause credit scores to tank.
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Deal Me Out
The popularity of television’s World Series of Poker is credited with inspiring a dramatic rise in the number of online poker websites since 2003.
The Teen Problem. According to the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling, teen gambling is the country’s fastest growing addiction . According to a report by the University of Connecticut between 4% and 7% of teenagers may suffer from a gambling addiction. Glam ads and the possibility of fast money and instant gratification attract teens, in particular, to gambling. Moreover, teens can gamble without having to show any proof of age. Many gamble with money from the unauthorized use of their parents’ credit cards. Sadly, it can lead to depression, debt, damaged relationships, and getting involved in crime. Most problem teen gamblers are males who bet on sports events or video games. PRODUCT PREVIEW Protect Yourself. To prevent losing it all to an addicted spouse, family member, or business partner, experts advise closing joint checking and savings accounts, hiding credit cards and check books, and removing from the home anything the gambler can pawn such as jewelry and collectibles . There are plenty of counseling services specializing in gambling addiction to help gamblers and their families. If you are even a casual gambler, monitor your behavior for signs of addiction. Gamanon (gamanon.org), is an international organization providing information about gambling addiction, and its financial and emotional effects on gamblers and their families. IV. Losing it All to Crime It’s true, crime doesn’t pay. One of the quickest ways to see the money in your bank accounts vanish into thin air is to commit a crime. Committing a crime is a costly venture when you’re caught. The effects of committing a crime can stick with you for years and seriously impact your ability to build wealth. It’s more than doing time. Steep financial fines and penalties are often included in many criminal punishments. Classes of Crime Most states divide crimes by level of seriousness: felony and misdemeanor . Each of these is further divided into classes by level of severity and punishment. Pokerface The widow of the founder of Jack in the Box gambled away $1 billion on video poker games. Fin Lit Trivia Fin Lit Trivia Fin Lit Trivia
Chapter 17 | How to Lose It All 336
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