p wrote on October 16, 2007 05:14 AM: we are NOT ONLY THOSE WITH THE PROBLEM ARE

wildace wrote on October 13, 2007 07:47 PM: "Schull said she moved to Las Vegas to interview gamblers and manufacturers of slot machines for a book she recently completed but has not yet released."
=

Hmm,,she move to Vegas to investigate. Reminds me of the porn investigators that read porn all day looking for violations.

Wildace

J wrote on October 13, 2007 10:21 AM: Hahahahaha. Please, go ahead an ban slot machines ... EVERYWHERE ELSE. Just don't bother trying to change Las Vegas. We like it this way (And if you don't ... LEAVE.)

brad wrote on October 13, 2007 10:01 AM: Hooray, some people are finally realizing what intelligent people in Nevada already knew, that slot machines are an addiction and designed to separate you from your hard earned money. I really hope the government steps in and takes a good hard long look at an industry that is out of control. Slots at the airports, convenince stores, enough is enough. What is next, machines at hospitals, so that those who are sick don't fell deprived ?? And yes folks they have gotten tighter in the last few years, as the casinos realize that this is a fast and easy way to fatten their already bulging bottom line. And now the constant lure, of cheap junk gifts, so that you go in even more often. I have often said, real industry won't set up shop here, because this state and its residents are far too concerned with gaming. We have the dumbest students, highest drop out rate, and lowest budget for education, but the most modern slot machines !! How sad that this town won't wake up and smell the coffee on it's own. But the greed spreads everywhere, so of course no one wants change......Maybe the Feds will give Nevada the kick in the ass that it so desperately needs...

JosieL wrote on October 13, 2007 09:53 AM: Yet one more group dedicated to telling ME what is appropriate and good for me. I am really tired of these self-righteous, hypocritical, narrow minded idiots defining what is "OK" in my life. I just happen to LIKE playing penny slots. I know when to quit. It IS entertainment for me, not escape. So why should I have to curtail my activities because of the ever present small minority of people for whom gambling is anathema. Shut up, go away and mind your own friggin' business.

entre nous wrote on October 13, 2007 08:19 AM: Most of the people that I have known with gambling problems in this tiown have been addicted to video poker machines. Video poker machines must be as addictive as heroin because the video machines seemas hard to kick as heroin is rumored to be.

Over the years, the table game pits have gotten smaller and smaller as the slot machines numbers continue to grow, squeezing out the space allocated for table games.

There is a bit of truth in what Ms Schull describes as asocial gambling. A person can sit isolated in his or her own little world, kind of like an alcoholic who when his or her disease progresses really just wants to be left alone with the bottle.

Sucker No More wrote on October 13, 2007 07:06 AM: Brand new slot machines pay big on small bets-for awhile, just long enough to "reel" you in. Then one night, technicians come in & change the machine's insides, thus changing the odds,of course NOT in the player's favor. In the player's mind, all they remember is when the machine paid well, not realizing the technical switch.

For decades, the machines that took small bets have been used to collect money so the machines that take larger bets could pay more frequently. Why? More people play pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters than one dollar and above. Those "small" bets that slowly eat away at your pocketbook add up fast. If you look carefully, you'll see that placing larger bets on machines that offer a wide range of betting amount choices will provide you reel combinations you never saw when placing the smaller bets.

They're rigged, plain & simple, regardless of what we've been told.

Russ wrote on October 13, 2007 07:06 AM: Let people take care of them selves. They don't need big brother watching. There has been gambling around for many years and most people can control themselves. People will fine ways to gamble.

Been there, Done that wrote on October 13, 2007 03:21 AM: I find Natasha Schull's comments to be a bit on the "off" side. I worked for a gaming company for many years and not once did I ever hear the phrase "play to extinction" from ANY management type in either my company or the casinos we sold machines to. And, of course with cashless gaming there isn't the wait for the change person to come and fill the hopper. There CAN be a wait if the printer runs out of the "chits" they print the winnings on but that's rare.