The large casino in my town has had a detrimental influence on our community’s families, from the adults to the youth. Its presence has welcomed, promoted, and normalized gambling, which has led to very prevalent, unhealthy, dangerous habits and activities among teens.

I live very close to O’Hare Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world, and in my town, there’s a very large casino which draws not only many tourists and visitors, but also many local people. Unfortunately, in some spheres, its presence has created a culture among youth and adults alike of normalizing and even encouraging gambling. This act is a scourge in any community because of its intense mentally, socially, and financially damaging effects. While it can be a lucrative institution and arguably positive for local economics, the price society pays by being intoxicated with the prospect of “winning big” is too high. Some competitive gamblers argue that gambling can be a learned skill, and the house doesn’t always have to win. This is a false fantasy pushed by people who benefit from the existence of casinos through sponsorships, among other things.

Morally, as a Christian, I find gambling to be the embodiment of what it means to live for money. People drain their bank accounts and paychecks into gambling and get viciously addicted and entranced by the colorful machines and hopeless optimism of “winning big.” Many of my friends have been indoctrinated by the persistence of the act in our community. Among my local youth, poker games, blackjack, and slots have become a commonplace and even celebrated social activity. It’s disheartening to see the effects gambling has on my peers through the presence of gambling institutions, but through advocacy and effective prevention efforts, we can help change that.