Chapter 3 - 3.4
Chapter 3: Social problems in reservations
3.4. Gambling addiction
As we said in the chapter 2 gambling bring serious addiction. In many cases there is a pathological gambling which is described as compulsive gambling behavior beyond the control of the individual. In Minnesota, the number of people who are addicted to gambling rose dramatically over the last three years. There are many compulsive gambling treatment centers in which people are cured from addictions. What is more, the state is considering allocate more resources towards the problem. It is worth pointing out that pathological gambling is more prevalent among Indians than non-Indians (Introduction to history of casino in the reservation 1996). It is known that those who can least afford to gamble usually are the most affected. Poor people spent a greater percentage of their income on gambling than the wealthy. They give gambling the same effect on incomes as regressive taxes. As an example we can announce that inhabitants of Chelsea, Massachusetts, the poorest city in the state, spend an average of $572 per year on the lottery. In contrast, the wealthier residents of Lincoln spend only $26 a person on lottery tickets annually (Introduction to history of casino in the reservation 1996).