I worked for Isle of Capri back years ago before it became Diamond Jacks, so I've been on the inside of the casino establishment. Casinos do take many reasonable measures in an attempt to discourage people from developing gambling problems. Though casinos do make a fast buck from the average player, it's the BIG rollers they are primarily targeting (people who have thousands or more to burn). Therefore, they do try to prevent their patrons from getting sucked into compulsive gambling.
They make every employee memorize that Gambling Help Line that is posted on every wall of the casino floor and they are encouraged to tell people about it. The ATMs have very high usage fees to discourage people from overusing them. Security personnel (the dept I was in) are highly encouraged to keep a sharp eye out for people who exhibit poor gambling habits (i.e. losing streak temper, sleeping in the casino, writing several checks a night, abusing the machines, asking for hand-outs, etc.). These people are sent off the property and other local casinos are notified with a photograph and told not to let this person gamble.
People who don't have the will to stop when they need to do not need to be there. We each have our responsibilities too.
There is a whole philosophy to proper gambling:
- Never enter a casino expecting to win! This way, losing doesn't disappoint you and winning becomes a bigger thrill.
- Never enter a casino with your last dollar!
- Set a loss limit that will determine when you leave and stick to it!
- Whenever possible, pocket your initial cash and gamble with your winnings only. This way, your gambling experience becomes self-funded.
- Always remember that if winning was easy, everyone would do it!
- Always leave the casino with some money left, even if it is just a little.
- Above all, enjoy yourself!
These are great tips that will enhance your gambling experience and ensure you have a great time when you gamble. However, they all depend on your will power to stick to them. Gambling can be very intoxicating, especially when you hit the jackpot on a one-armed bandit and begin losing it back. You just gotta know when to get up and leave.
As for me, I'm not really a gambler myself. If I had a few hundred dollars of free spending cash (which rarely happens), I might take one or two hundred to a casino and hit some blackjack tables. The last time I did was about 2 years ago.