FocusOnTheFamily

Internet gambling

Written by Chad Hills

Last year, Hollywood gambled on 21, the story of MIT classmates who made a killing at Las Vegas’ blackjack tables. The movie performed well, glamourized the high-roller lifestyle, and had casinos bracing for a wave of wagering wannabes.

But film fans feeling lucky didn’t have to jump a flight to Sin City to place their bets. With online gambling just a mouse-click away, a dealer was as close as the nearest computer.

Although Internet gambling is technically illegal in the United States, many people still play online. That’s how a young man named Brian got in over his head. At age 20, he was caught embezzling $250,000 from an employer to cover mounting losses and to fuel his addiction.

Last year’s study, titled Blackjack in the Kitchen: Understanding Online Versus Casino Gambling, states that Internet gamblers bet even more frequently and aggressively than those in casinos. Researcher June Cotte noted, “When not seen as [an activity] reserved solely for an outing or special occasion, gambling is more likely to become a pernicious, insidiously integrated component of a consumer’s life.”

How can families avoid such tragedy? A wise mentor once told me to view life as a bicycle wheel. If God is your hub, each spoke represents an extension of Him into your life (the outer rim). My spokes, for example, include marriage, family, friends, work, faith, health and recreation. God is connected to each one, keeping my life balanced.

However, if gambling were the hub of my life, it would destroy the “marriage” spoke by wasting our money and making gambling my mistress. It would shorten the “family” spoke, since addicted gamblers often become abusive. The “friend” spoke would shrink as I attempt to keep my problem hidden. My “work” spoke would be weakened and, like Brian, I might be tempted to steal to support my habit. As for “faith,” I could never grow and minister effectively amid compromise and a lack of integrity. “Recreation” would be consumed by my gambling addiction. And my “health” spoke would decline since depression, anxiety and guilt are a gambler’s constant companions.

We must realize that gambling is a lot like drinking salt water. You keep coming back for more because your thirst is never satisfied. Only God satisfies. Gambling takes; God gives. Gambling destroys; God builds. Gambling enslaves; God liberates.

Chad Hills is an analyst for gambling research and policy for Focus on the Family Action.

For a detailed analysis of popular movies, music, TV and video games, visit Pluggedinonline.com.

© 2009 Focus on the Family. All rights reserved. International copyright secured. Used by permission.