INSIDIOUS GAMBLING ADVERTISING

Charles Krupa

I've been seeing a lot of a particular ad to entice folks to gamble online on sports. It points out, truthfully, that in our lives everyday, we make choices. Healthy oatmeal or an Egg Mcmuffin for breakfast; turning right or left at a busy intersection; have a few drinks with pals after work and drive. Well, the ad cuts to the chase with this thought: since you make choices all the time (and presumably, since you're still above ground, you've been pretty successful) why not make some choices (ahem, bet) and make some cash while you're at it. C'mon bunky, you do this all the time. And who couldn't use some extra heft in the wallet? (yeah with Christmas approaching and inflation is killing everyone, it would help).

Places like this have been a bane to poorer neighborhoods for many years often being the only grocery store in urban food deserts. But now, the gambling industry is going after big bucks: white folks. Betting on sports is now legal in MI and the industry has signed huge ad contracts with Big 10 schools. Gee, just what college kids need on top of thousands of dollar debt for a degree-a gambling problem. Not to mention the adults whose paycheck isn't keeping up with inflation. And it's sooo easy, just use that iphone that many have velcroed to their body. The habits of so many including the young have not gone unnoticed.