Many people think those of us that enjoy casinos have some type of character defect.
They think we are compulsive gamblers going to the shylocks to get cash to get back in the game.
Although there are certainly people that have a serious gambling problem, most of the people I know are what I call “social gamblers’.
I do not smoke. I drink alcohol on rare occasions and usually just one or two drinks.  I do not use drugs legal or illegal. I admit I definitely have bad eating habits. I am a good husband and a great father.
As a pastime I enjoy gambling.
 Well I don’t know if you can call it gambling. To me the word gambling means making a wager or series of wagers in which your financial health or lifestyle is on the line sort of like someone gambling the rent or mortgage money. If he loses the wife and kids are homeless.
What I do is I play games, casino games, for money.  I guess the money is how I keep score.
The level I play at is insignificant to my overall net worth.
I have worked hard for thirty years and I feel I can spend my discretionary entertainment budget how I like.
I have invited friends to accompany me to the casino and some respond, “I work too hard for my money to throw it away.”
That comment infuriates me
I have a friend, “Frankie I”. His wife loves slots. He hates casinos and will not go with her. When she goes for an overnight comped trip with one of her girlfriends he is furious because she is “wasting money”. Yet this same guy has a fishing boat that costs around $60,000. Add to that the Yacht Club membership fees, docking fees, depreciation, fuel costs and maintenance and he is dumping thousands of additional dollars into the sea each year.  What does she get for all his expenses, when he is lucky and the fish are biting, he gets to bring home some fish. The same fish that I can drive to the local fishmonger and pickup for a few dollars a pound. But he does not see that. He says he is a “Fisherman”
 
Another thing, when friends ask about vacations and I say I like Vegas they act as though I am suggesting a trip to Afghanistan.
This aggravates me because there are few entertainment options in which you have a chance of coming home with more money than you went with.
Book a trip to Las Vegas and if you are lucky you might win a bit. Add to that some comps and you can get a  great getaway and it does not cost a dime. Try going to  Disney World for an inexpensive vacation. Forget it. They gouge you and pick your pocket at every turn.
 
So to me having a separate account, the “GTC 401 G” is a harmless entertainment expense. Gambling responsibly is fun. It also provides jobs for many people.
 
Your thoughts?
 

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