Wagering, gambling all the same: addictive
In his Saturday column, Jay Greeson lauded Tennessee’s legalized online sports wagering. In past columns, he touted the revenue generated and posits a situation in which a husband tells his wife “It’s (his bet) for the children.” In a previous column, Mr. Greeson also posted links to the various online sites.
In 2019, a “reluctant” Gov. Bill Lee signed Tennessee’s legalized online wagering into law. In the first month of legalization, the public made $131 million in bets. Of this princely sum, the state received just $2.3 million in revenue for the Tennessee Education Lottery.
Wagering is a genteel term for gambling, plain and simple, and, like other habits, gambling can be addictive, even an obsession. I would point Mr. Greeson to two prime examples: Pete Rose, banned from baseball for life, and Charles Barkley, who lost millions many times over, and accrued $30 million in gambling debt.
I will get “‘right to the point:” If you or a family member has financial or social difficulties due to gambling, there is help available. Go to gamblersanonymous.org for local resources to heal your family. Please, do it for the children.