Do you have one? One percent of the adult population does, according to the National Center for Responsible Gaming. That doesn't sound like a whole lot, but when you consider the damage this kind of addiction can inflict on your life, especially if you're in college, the consequences are measurable.
Steve Friess wrote about the issue for The New York Times in his article, "Colleges Often Turn a Blind Eye to Student Gambling Problems."
Friess cites popular culture and the addiction to video games and the Internet as part of the problem for college students. Internet access gave rise to a worldwide online betting industry estimated to exceed $40 billion in wagers a year, he says.
"Also not lost on many students is the fact that several successful poker players dropped out of college, including the likes of "The Celebrity Apprentice" runner-up Annie Duke, who left before completing her doctoral dissertation."
Why is this important for adult students? You've worked hard to get back in school and stay there. You have challenges way beyond the normal student...kids, a home, a partner, a job...the list goes on. Don't let a gambling addiction ruin it all for you. Get help.
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