The Lure of Casino Gambling

The ups and downs of gambling are sometimes too much to endure. With one spin, Lady Luck can shine on you and ease your money burdens, or she can rain on your parade and send you home in a puddle of tears.

Despite the frequent negative outcomes I, like most continue to go back to the casino.

Why? I ask myself.

Maybe it is obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). But I like to think boredom sends me to the casino and of course the hope of instant riches.

There is something about watching the icons spin on the slot machine and anticipating a bonus round that is addictive.

In the last 10 years, Kay County, Oklahoma went from no casinos to too many to count thus causing many citizens to become avid gamblers. I often wonder what I and others did before the creation of the local casinos. I’m almost positive I had more money in the savings account.

But never the less when the casinos were built, my habit was created.

After three years of this past time, I finally took a ride on a win streak that started on Memorial Day 2008 and went out with a bang on July 4.

During this brief happy time, I enjoyed a brief moment of making bill payments with income left over, a joy I have never received from employers through the years.

The first win, that I define as significant, was just over $300. I couldn't believe it when the machine turned red and spun 3 times resulting in ringing bells and me thanking everyone in sight. I quickly cashed in the ticket and went to the $5 machine. However I still had some self discipline so I blew $10 and left. The following weekend, a friend and I were on the losing end of casino visit when my luck changed and I pocketed a couple hundred dollars.

I know to most these figures are small, but I live in the land of Oz where unless you are a doctor or lawyer, top pay is $9 no matter how hard you work, so a $100 here and there can make the difference.

However, as soon as it started, the win streak was over and have been back on the losing side of things for nearly 10 years now.

Every now and then a machine is kind and spits out a few bucks. But the amount won never adds up to the amount I have lost.

I should run and never look at the inside of a casino again.

But I'm willing to bet that I will experience the sights, sounds and second hand smoke of casino in an effort to reward myself the financial gain that employers continue to deprive hard workers of.