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Gambling in Hawaii is Center of Entertainment
28 Aug 2006
Among the beautiful shores and crystal blue waters of Hawaii, where the sand is white and the breeze is gentle and welcoming, gambling, in many ways, is the center of entertainment for native Hawaiians. Because it is a state found in the US, gambling is strictly forbidden in this paradise, although you would think otherwise when reviewing the high rates of gambling addiction found here. According to experts and addicts themselves, gambling online is only acerbating the situation. Some say the problem in Hawaii is worse because gambling is widely and culturally accepted, with laws against it seldom enforced. Although the state spends millions annually on drug and alcohol prevention and treatment, there are no government programs dedicated to helping problem gamblers.
‘In Hawaii, it's sort of like: see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil. They're ignoring a substantial problem in their midst, apparently because they want to pretend that since it is illegal, no one does it and no one gets in trouble,’ said Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling. This is a serious problem for the people of Hawaii. Although the council does not advertise in the state, its hot line received 763 calls last year from gambling addicts in Hawaii who were seeking help. Another resource, the last according to many experts, is the weekly Gamblers Anonymous meeting held every Tuesday night.
Legalized gambling would most likely do well in Hawaii, but many fear it would drastically change the personality of the islands and lead to more problem gambling. The Gamblers Anonymous program leader said legalization won't help. He feels that an overwhelming amount of people will become problem gamblers as a result. In the meantime, the way the situation is currently being handled, Hawaiians will continue to gamble, and more gambling addiction will continue to run rampant among those who find themselves spinning out of control at the tables.
