A senior citizen who worked for the past forty years lost everything she had saved in under twelve months. Seniors are the heart of our society and something needs to be done to stop the many predators. One of the major predators is gambling establishments. These places continually target seniors to fill their tables and slot machines for self gain during the day time. To go after seniors who are on fixed incomes is a travesty of justice.

Seniors are educated individuals and I have the utmost respect for them. Unfortunately gambling establishments see them as another income source.

With all the new gambling establishments opening they all became very competitive with one another. They knew they could no longer fill their tables and or slot machines during the hours of nine to five. They realized that seniors are home during this period of time. These places created various incentives to market them. The gambling establishments were more then successful. If you go into a majority of the gambling establishments during the hours of nine to five you will now find at least eighty percent or more of the gamblers are seniors.

The gambling establishments realized once they get you there, they got you. They were very creative in their marketing techniques.

They created group packages specifically designed for seniors. They created day trip program that included transportation, food vouchers and other coupons. The transportation was designed to fill the gambling establishments during the day hours of nine to five.

Imagine a bus of seniors who are schedule to arrive at the gambling establishment around nine in the morning. As the bus pulls in everyone is told to be back by five oclock. Please do not be late the bus will leave. As they get off the bus they all split up and plan to meet back later at the bus depot. After about an hour, half the people on the bus lost all the money they brought. What do they do now for the next seven hours? Its too early for lunch and the entertainment hasnt started yet. Some take it in stride others go to one of the many ATM machines and or cash a check. As time goes by they go back to the ATM machine just one more time. The ATM displays the words on the screen you have hit your cash limit for the day. Would you like to use a credit card? The senior thinks this is great and convenient. Next thing you know they have lost five hundred dollars. They ask themselves at the end of the day How did this happen to me?

Everyone arrives back at the bus and is ready to leave. Everyone is accounted for and the favorite topic is did you win or lose? No one wants to admit they lost five hundred dollars or more, so their friends they lost a couple of bucks.

Gambling creates the situation for people to tell white lies. No one should ever be put in this situation.

You then have another situation where one person on the bus hits for a thousand dollars. Is this good news or bad news? I have found those that win their first time are more likely to go back sooner for a chance to win again. The other people on the bus figure maybe next time they will be the big winner.

After they arrive home, they decide that they would like to go again. Some will rationalize that they have plenty of money its time to enjoy them selves where others just want to have fun. The following week comes and the seniors are back on the bus ready to plat again only to repeat the viscous cycle.

There are alternative programs available for senior citizens. Once you know you or someone you know has a problem with gambling its imperative to get help before they lose all their assets and their sanity.

Howard Keith

Howard Keith