Legalizing Gambling In America

Gambling has been a part of America since the beginning, but the problems caused can go unnoticed. Four to five percent of American teenagers, ages twelve to seventeen, have a gambling problem, and an additional ten to fourteen percent are at risk for obtaining an addiction (ncpgambling.org). Gambling is starting to get out of control in America. Americans are spending too much time and money on a silly game they most likely will not win. Casinos make their money from the losses of Americans and stay open that way. Casinos milk money from people in exchange for a couple of gaming chips. Although many Americans support legalized gambling, others believe it should be illegal because it promotes terrible addictions, increases illegal action, and

causes economic downfall.
United States gambling has been around for a very long time. Some of the first American settlers engaged in the game of Chance, where the winner received a large prize. The colonies also had lotteries to raise income, but that was soon outlawed by the British monarchy. However, lotteries continued after the American Revolution when America had received its independence. (HG.org) Another form of gambling was horse racing. In December of 2000, the Horse Racing Act of 1978 was amended. The amended act specifically added to the definition of “interstate off-track wager.”