Online poker is growing in popularity on campus

Casinos are magical places filled with flashing lights and the sound of money clinking out of the slot machines. Over the past few years, with a quick click of the mouse, gamblers all over the world have been transported instantly to the casino to play the game of their choice, while never leaving their homes. Within the last few months, Congress has designed a bill that would put an end to online gambling, at least in the United States. It passed in the House of Representatives, but the Senate has not come to a decision whether online gambling should be banned. The ban would prohibit American citizens from using their credit cards to gamble online, and some Web sites, like Party Poker, have already banned Americans from becoming new members and terminated the memberships of veteran players. An SRU professor, who wishes to remain anonymous, said he belongs to an online poker club for discussion and games, and this topic has come up numerous times in chat rooms. “It’s hurting the gaming industry because they’re not getting the revenue,” he said. “The casino lobbyists are the ones to blame for the ban.” He said he has been gambling online for at least two years and, until recently, didn’t play on a regular basis. The professor usually only bets in $5 increments and each game will last about an hour. “On rainy days, it’s fun,” he said. “I like the competition and I like to play cards. I don’t dream of being on the World Poker Tour or anything like that.” The professor said he doesn’t see it as a problem for him; he sees it as a reward. He said that he has to get all of his work finished before he can play a casino game, and he does it for entertainment purposes only. Phillip R. Swartzlander, 20, from New Kensington, Pa., said he began gambling online the summer before his freshman year at SRU. The junior communication major said he started playing hardcore last year because he moved off campus and could play at school. Depending on the day, Swartzlander said when he first started online gambling, he said he lost between $500 and $700, but has slowly rebuilt his profit over time. “Now that I’m ahead, I can pay my rent,” Swartzlander said. “I’ve been able to do more things now that I have more money.” He said he’s not worried about the ban because there are ways around paying directly from credit cards, such as off-shore banks. Swartzlander said he thinks they’re trying to ban it because the government is losing money. He also said the government is losing money because some people who win big tournaments aren’t filing prize taxes. “I love to play, but I could quit if I had to,” Swartzlander said. “As long as it’s making me money and allowing me to not have a job, I’m going to play.” Wray Noel, director of Addiction Solutions/ Family Therapy in Slippery Rock, said compulsive gambling is a subtle problem, much like all addictions. “The states are just as addicted to gaming as the gamblers,” Noel said. “That’s why this is a big deal to them. Since people are gaming online, the states aren’t getting their revenue.” He said compulsive gambling is like throwing money into the trash and then wondering where it all went. “I’ve said it a million times, and I’ll say it again,” Noel said. “Gambling is just like any other addiction. You’re out the money and have nothing to show for it.”