I got a Casino gift card from a company we use at my work. I should have known they made those, but I was still surprised when I opened the card. It was only for $25.00 so I didn't feel a huge tug (Hell, 2 spins and it would be gone) but I DID find it amusing. Of all the people to get one of THOSE... and it was a full fledged plastic (probably refillable) card.

I ended up giving it to a member of my staff that I had to re-imburse (conveniently) $25.00 to and HE asked ME for it in compensation (I swear I didn't fob it off on him ), so problem solved... at least for me.

But I find myself thinking how absurd a Casino Gift Card really is. And how quickly gambling has become such an ordinary activity in our society. And really, do scratch cards make any more sense (yet we all give those) than a Casino Gift Card?

These are gifts that entice you to spend more money. They don't actually 'give' you anything but a chance to gamble (and theoretically 'win' some money) and, in cases like mine, a chance to fall off the wagon. I don't begrudge the guy who gave it to me, anymore than the people who will give me scratch & wins (and they will), but I DO begrudge the companies (our government(s) here in Canada) that push it so unrelentingly that gift cards have now become 'normal' and a good idea for a card or stocking stuffer.

That's insidious. It really is, because you can't become a gambling addict if you never gamble, but now they're making sure that everyone (including potential addicts) are encouraged to 'give it a try'.

I never thought about stuff like this before I became an addict, and certainly never while I was in the active addiction, but now I sit back and just shake my head. I'm not saying we need to be babysat or coddled. I'm just saying that actively pushing a potentially addictive & life destroying activity for the sole purpose of bringing in HUGE revenue is irresponsible. Governments can have their Casinos, but they REALLY shouldn't be marketing them and their lottery business in such an aggressive, take no prisoners manner. If people choose to gamble, fine. But they shouldn't be hit with being actively encouraged to do it at every turn.

That's just wrong.

Fortunately for me, today I will not gamble. And even more fortunately, NEVER again - gift cards be damned.