"HIT ME"

Few periods in history have presented such a wealth of opportunity to those who look to gambling as a path to excitement or profit.

In most areas of the United States today, a short walk to many business establishments conjures up the expectation of a big lottery win. In a growing part of the United States, casino gambling on Indian Reservations and river boats is available as part of a pleasant evenings excursion--and at both ends of the United States, a three or four day visit, at enticing rates, can provide the intrepid with a 24-hour experience at table games and slots that are promoted to visitors by some of the best marketing talents in the world.

For those with more time and a desire for foreign travel--England, Italy, France, Monte Carlo, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America--to name just a few; opportunities exist to satisfy the urge for an alternative

to sightseeing pursuits.

Over a period of 60 years, I have experienced all of the above—and the results have been the frittering away of a business, which provided an income of hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, a major cause of the failure of nine marriages, the loss of homes, cars, and turning of a bright future into the depressing knowledge that millions of dollars have gone to satisfy a no-win habit.

I once had a very good friend whom I respected very much, and I am certain he respected me also at that time. After a weekend in Las Vegas, where I lost $75,000, he took me aside and asked, “Ed, what would happen if you had won $75,000 last weekend? Would you move from your home? (At that time I was living in a 14-room apartment on the 46th floor of a luxury Chicago high-rise.) Would you purchase a better car? (At that time I drove a new Cadillac.) Would you create a better business? (At that time I owned a business, which gave me an annual $600,000 income.) Would you be able to invest in the stock market? (At that time I had over $500,000 in bonds and equities.) Would you start saving for retirement? (At that time I had a pension plan, which guaranteed me over $200,000 annually at age 65.) “But,” he proceeded, “if you continue to lose $75,000 every weekend, how long do you think it will take for you to lose your home, car, business, investments, and pension plan? You see, you have nothing to gain, but you have everything to loose if you continue gambling.”

The realization of his questions caused me to stop, take notice, and avoid casinos—for a whole month; but I started again, and everything he prophesied has come true.

Hopefully, my experience in the ensuring chapters will help others stop and take notice, and maybe, come to the realization that an insidious disease lies dormant in many of us.