Mammoth Blog

Are casino outings for gambling or entertainment?

The casino industry's spin is entertainment, which in a broad sense is credible when you factor in dining, recreation, shopping and shows.

Gambling, however, is what drives the casino industry.

For a vast majority of gaming enthusiasts, this component is entertainment as well.

Many people derive pleasure from spending that portion of their income set aside for recreational pursuits on casino games.

And all leisure pursuits cost more money these days.

Professional sporting events, restaurants, concerts, the theater, cinema, amusement parks, overnight getaways and even a golf outing once or twice a week represent significant monetary investment.

Casino-goers can budget as much money for a gaming session as many other activities and obtain the desired result: fun, adventure and escapism.

It's what they chose to do. There's even the unique bonus of possibly winning some cash.

As is the case with many other things that people do, gambling can also be a problem.

Gambling can become an addiction for some, a derisive force, and that's when a casino outing is no longer entertainment.

The casino industry is held responsible for making sure that people for whom gambling is no longer fun can get help.

Harrah's Joliet Casino & Hotel recently conducted its annual Responsible Gaming Week to create awareness among the public and to reinforce company goals and programs among employees.

The event was held in partnership with the American Gaming Association.

Lisa Arroyo, of Harrah's Joliet's credit department, coordinated the events and is proud of the fact that the casino's shift managers are specially trained "responsible gaming ambassadors" to whom guests of the property can go for advice.

"If ever a customer shows signs, or makes a direct statement that they need help, our ambassadors meet with them and get involved," Arroyo said.

"They can provide other options, education and brochures. We can prohibit them from cashing checks and even can restrict them from receiving (promotional) mail."

Harrah's spokespeople maintain that the property is an entertainment facility not unlike a movie theater or a golf course, with the difference being that every piece of signage, direct mail and advertising has information about where help can be obtained.

The company's Web site (www.harrahs.com) includes information and statistics on addictions, including problem gambling, and provides links to the National Council on Problem Gambling and to the Harvard Medical School's "Gambling: Your First Step to Change" self-help tool kit.

Knowing that the word "gambling" often is associated with being a vice, the casino industry has worked hard and rather successfully to replace it with "gaming."

That term now also references video games that people play even though those games have nothing whatsoever to do with gambling.

Whether it is called gambling or gaming, casino entertainment is enjoyed by more Americans than at any time in our nation's history.

Gaming remains fun for most and a problem for some, but no one can say the casino industry doesn't take a proactive stance in warning people about the danger signs and pointing them in the right direction should they require help. source>>>