http://www.victorpost.com/latestnews/x499863352/Feeling-lucky
[h=1]Feeling lucky?[/h][h=2]Gambling Addiction[/h]By Melody Burri, staff writerMessenger Post
Posted May 12, 2013 @ 10:13 AM
Finger Lakes, N.Y. —
She thought it was her lucky day.
A spur-of-the-moment visit to Casino Niagara in 2001 gave Wendy Emerson an electrifying, jaw-dropping $10,000 jackpot and the biggest rush she’d ever felt in her life. It also launched a 10-year addiction that fractured her relationships, threatened her career and family, and destroyed her financial standing.
Emerson is not alone.
About 2 million patrons visited Finger Lakes Casino and Racetrack in 2012, producing a total revenue of $129.6 million, said Senior Director of Marketing Steven Martin.
Most are at the Farmington venue to find an afternoon of relaxing entertainment. Others come for more.
“There are 668,000 problem gamblers already in New York,” said Nelson Acquilano, executive director of the Council on Alcoholism and Addictions of the Finger Lakes, citing a study done by New York in 2008. “Ten percent of our adolescents are demonstrating criteria for problem gambling, and another 10 percent are at risk for developing a gambling problem.”
Wendy’s story
The 42-year-old wife and mother of three had never really thought about gambling before. But after that initial big win 12 years ago, it hasn’t left her mind.
“That very first day — the first time I went — I won $10,000, and I spent the next 10 years chasing that feeling,” said Emerson. “When they hand you the bundles of cash, it changes your whole perspective on money. It’s like being a drug addict — you just want to chase that feeling over and over and over. You just keep putting more and more money in. But it never happens. Gambling became my drug.”
Emerson, who now lives in Honeoye Falls, said addictive tendencies are common to many, whether it’s food or relationships, or shopping. For her it was gambling, and she found a convenient outlet in Farmington.
“The slot machine would welcome me and love me unconditionally,” said Emerson. “I was focused in that moment trying to chase that initial feeling.”
Widespread problem
An estimated 7.3 percent of New Yorkers have a lifetime prevalence for problem gambling, the highest rate in the nation, Acquilano said citing statistics gathered by the NYS Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS).
“What we’re seeing is probably the tip of the iceberg,” said Acquilano. “We find that when it comes to family members, people usually under-report. The numbers could very well be higher.”
But of those who gamble, how many suffer from addiction? According to the Association of Problem Gambling Service Administrators, about 2.6 million gamblers nationwide are characterized as pathological, or unable to resist the impulse to gamble, and in need of treatment each year.
[h=1]Feeling lucky?[/h][h=2]Gambling Addiction[/h]By Melody Burri, staff writerMessenger Post
Posted May 12, 2013 @ 10:13 AM
Finger Lakes, N.Y. —
She thought it was her lucky day.
A spur-of-the-moment visit to Casino Niagara in 2001 gave Wendy Emerson an electrifying, jaw-dropping $10,000 jackpot and the biggest rush she’d ever felt in her life. It also launched a 10-year addiction that fractured her relationships, threatened her career and family, and destroyed her financial standing.
Emerson is not alone.
About 2 million patrons visited Finger Lakes Casino and Racetrack in 2012, producing a total revenue of $129.6 million, said Senior Director of Marketing Steven Martin.
Most are at the Farmington venue to find an afternoon of relaxing entertainment. Others come for more.
“There are 668,000 problem gamblers already in New York,” said Nelson Acquilano, executive director of the Council on Alcoholism and Addictions of the Finger Lakes, citing a study done by New York in 2008. “Ten percent of our adolescents are demonstrating criteria for problem gambling, and another 10 percent are at risk for developing a gambling problem.”
Wendy’s story
The 42-year-old wife and mother of three had never really thought about gambling before. But after that initial big win 12 years ago, it hasn’t left her mind.
“That very first day — the first time I went — I won $10,000, and I spent the next 10 years chasing that feeling,” said Emerson. “When they hand you the bundles of cash, it changes your whole perspective on money. It’s like being a drug addict — you just want to chase that feeling over and over and over. You just keep putting more and more money in. But it never happens. Gambling became my drug.”
Emerson, who now lives in Honeoye Falls, said addictive tendencies are common to many, whether it’s food or relationships, or shopping. For her it was gambling, and she found a convenient outlet in Farmington.
“The slot machine would welcome me and love me unconditionally,” said Emerson. “I was focused in that moment trying to chase that initial feeling.”
Widespread problem
An estimated 7.3 percent of New Yorkers have a lifetime prevalence for problem gambling, the highest rate in the nation, Acquilano said citing statistics gathered by the NYS Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS).
“What we’re seeing is probably the tip of the iceberg,” said Acquilano. “We find that when it comes to family members, people usually under-report. The numbers could very well be higher.”
But of those who gamble, how many suffer from addiction? According to the Association of Problem Gambling Service Administrators, about 2.6 million gamblers nationwide are characterized as pathological, or unable to resist the impulse to gamble, and in need of treatment each year.
I called GA once after I talked to customer service at my book and realized I had over 250k in casino action in 21 days. The guy was pretty self absorbed and seemed to only want to talk about his glory days of gambling. He didn't really listen at all. That was the last time I ever went down that road.
