Sir, – With regard to the current debate on the proposed casino in Tipperary, I would like to share my experience of gambling. As a 27-year old, I emigrated to Canada and the US in 1958, and took jobs here and there. One job was as a waiter in a restaurant attached to a casino on the Nevada state side of Lake Tahoe.
For a while I ignored the gambling scene until one day I received a $5 tip. As I had to pass one of the gaming tables on leaving the restaurant I nonchalantly gambled the €5 at a 21 table.
An hour later my $5 had increased to $75. From then on I was hooked. Morning, noon and night my mind was filled with gambling. Needless to say, my daily wages were lost.
In desperation I quit my job and fled the state of Nevada.
The only people who made money were the criminal element who owned Lake Tahoe and Las Vegas.
A final word, a close relative of mine was obsessed with horse betting and was in danger of losing the family farm. Thanks to an understanding bank manager he transferred his farm to a son, and so saved the day.
Gambling is a curse on this nation. – Yours, etc,