Gambling Is A Risk And The Outcome - 987 Words

Gambling is an activity in which one bets money while participating in games that are, but are not limited to, cards, slot machines, sporting events, dice, and lotteries that may have a more beneficial outcome (Petry 2005). Fay (2012) found about 85 percent of U.S adults have gambled at least once in their lifetime. Unfortunately, gambling is a risk and the outcome is influenced solely by chance. Many Americans are occasional gamblers who bet relatively small amounts simply for the thrill and enjoyment of the game (Fay, 2012) While others are classified as pathological gamblers who lack the ability to control their gambling behaviors despite the negative impact that it may have on their lives. Fay (2012) reported approximately 2 million†¦show more content†¦It deprives us of the ability to move past patterns and broaden out ways of thinking. Culture can liberate us if we are willing to to refrain from the repetitive ways of thinking and challenging existing patterns. Thus, culture influences an individual’s decision to gamble. Gambling has been deeply embedded in human civilization since prehistoric times. Dice was discovered in an Egyptian tomb from 3000 BC (France, 1902). Smith (1948) found that during the establishment of the New World, the colony of Virginia was funded through lotteries. Interestingly, George Washington was believed to have purchased the first ticket (Smith, 1948). Among the Bushmen of South Africa, Ancient Chinese, and the American Indians, guessing games have been implemented into their rituals (Petry, 2005). Thus, culture influences an individual’s decision to gamble and how frequently an individual engages in gambling activities. Zitzow (1996) conducted a study in which he examined the gambling patterns of both American-Indian and non- Indians. Zitzow (1996) found that American-Indians began gambling at an early age and are more likely to become pathological gamblers than non-Indians. Zitsow (1996) found that this was due to American-Indians cultural belief in the notion of â€Å"good luck† and â€Å"fate†. In a similar study Wallisch (1996) found that Hispanics had higher gambling rates than did Caucasian. Perhaps, individuals tend to mimic the gambling patterns of those within in