State lottery has cost some players plenty

While games may benefit education, some say addicts, poor are spending more than they can afford

Web posted June 21, 1998

By Lawrence Viele
Morris News Service

SAVANNAH -- When Morris Friedman began selling Georgia lottery tickets in 1994, he quickly confirmed what studies had shown about state-sanctioned gambling -- that those who can least afford it partake the most.

Some customers came into his store hoping to turn their welfare checks into instant lottery riches.

They would pass up the million-dollar jackpots at week's end, deciding instead to purchase daily drawing and scratch-off tickets, trying to make the rent, phone or light bill.

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``It's always the people who can least afford it who spend the most,'' Mr. Friedman said. ``They are desperate, and this is the only way they know how to get some money. And it's not just welfare recipients.''

Before the lottery began in 1993, Michael Faber was selling $50,000 at Christmastime in gold rings, bracelets, teeth and necklaces at his downtown Savannah store. Most of his sales were to poor and working-class customers.

His gold sales plummeted and the lottery became his hot ticket.

``People figure, `Why put $20 down on layaway when they can buy tickets and maybe win and buy a ton of jewelry?''' he said.

Politicians hail the lottery's success, but few talk about the dark side -- government benefiting from frivolous spending by the poor, and worse, making gambling for addicts as easy as buying a loaf of bread.

State Rep. Ron Crews, a lottery opponent, has seen poor Georgians waiting patiently to play, hoping to buy a new life for the $1 price of a ticket.

``My personal experience is standing in line at the gas station and seeing gentlemen come in from work and buying $40 worth of lottery tickets who do not look to be the type who can afford it. And it's replicated many times over,'' said Mr. Crews, R-Tucker, a minister whose daughter is planning to attend college this fall on a lottery-funded state HOPE scholarship.

``My moral concern is the wasting of hard-earned money, and the government is responsible.''

Addicts vs. schools

A state study in 1994 suggested 4 percent of people who play the lottery have a gambling problem. The study said addicts are typically single, poorly educated black men.

Gov. Zell Miller argues that critics have exaggerated the type of problems the lottery would bring, such as an increase in gambling addictions.

``There has not been any evidence at all. That was one of the boogermen they said was going to be part of it,'' argued Mr. Miller, who campaigned -- and won office -- promoting a lottery for education.

However, there has been a jump in people seeking help for gambling problems.

The number of Gamblers Anonymous chapters in Georgia has quadrupled to 12 since the lottery began.

Some members don't blame the lottery for their addiction but say the game made it easier to gamble. The lottery is widespread and convenient, not even forcing a player to go to a race track or bar to place a bet. Instead, they can stop at a convenience store on the way to pick up their children from school or while they're running other errands.

An auto worker from Atlanta, who did not want to be identified, said he had been a recovering gambler for more than a decade before he lapsed, succumbing to the lure of the lottery machines on the way to and from work. The availability of the lottery at convenience stores, gas stations and liquor stores made it possible to play without family members detecting him for more than a year.

He borrowed against his credit cards, reached their limits and contemplated using money set aside for his mortgage payment before his family confronted him.

``I would spend anywhere from $50 to $90 and $100 a day. A compulsive gambler will gamble whatever they have to,'' he said.

Eighteen months into his latest recovery, the 58-year-old now has taken on two part-time jobs -- as a nighttime custodian and as a handyman -- to pay off collection agencies.

Pam S. blames the lottery for her husband's continuing downward spiral of temper tantrums, debt and the loss of his business.

The couple is separated. Pam's husband only sporadically sends home money to help with household expenses between trips to casinos and working to earn more money to gamble.

``It's gone from the lottery and it went from there to bigger and better things. It's destroying my family,'' she said.

Help for gamblers

Mr. Miller and legislators promised a remedy for addictive gambling problems that critics anticipated with the onset of state gaming. A toll-free Helpline Georgia -- offering assistance and referrals for domestic violence, legal matters, child abuse and drug problems -- now receives lottery money for compulsive gambling counseling as well.

Trained counselors hear stories of spent money intended for a baby's milk, a grandmother gone wild with her Social Security check and a father who robbed his child's piggy bank, said Donna Bowman, director of the Helpline.

The state has spent $12,000 to help compulsive gamblers, but the figure will jump to $31,000 this year, in part to increase awareness of the hot line.

At an average of 30 a month, the calls are not pouring in, but the number of gambling addicts may be rising since the lottery was instituted, Ms. Bowman said.

``It feeds the disease, and now there are twice as many Gamblers Anonymous meetings,'' she added.

While the lottery is supplementing public education at record levels, it is costing some poor people their meager livelihoods, said Terry Pennington, a volunteer with the Georgia Council on Problem Gambling.

``We get a lot of calls from people who will end up spending their paychecks buying lottery tickets,'' Mr. Pennington said.

Then there are those who win.

Edith Thomas, a cook at the Wendy's fast-food restaurant near Memorial Medical Center in Savannah, tries to pad her income with lottery winnings, playing a maximum of $25 worth of tickets weekly. In 1994, she won $100,000 in the Fantasy 5 game.

``I call that the blessing from the Lord,'' she said.

Ms. Thomas said the lottery has done good things for her friends.

``It helps a lot of people out. Sometimes, somebody might need $80 for a bill. They can play scratch-offs a couple of times and get it that way.''