Always Room???

I'm missing it too. What year did they start that casino nonsense? When I first moved to Red Lodge in 1980 - there were a few live poker games going on in the bars - but no poker & keno machines. Now more of the restaurants & bars have "casinos" than not.

When I've worked in restaurants I was amazed at the folks who played the machines. Drink in hand, cigarette hanging from lip, pushing buttons (or touching the screen), like zombies. The "experts" say that electronic gambling is more addictive than drugs - I can believe it - from a few observations. People would cash a check, go to the machine, win a few bucks & then want their check back.

From what I understand - the new non-smoking laws that will be going into effect are forcing restaurant/bar owners to prove that they make more of their income from "gaming" than meals. This will cause many restaurants to no longer serve as many meals. So we'll have less restaurants - less choices for us on those rare occasions that we "get off the place". More bars/casinos.

I need that like another hole in the head.

Yes, Bonnie - that's what the Baron says, "I gamble everyday here - why would I throw money into a poker machine?"

I don't think that there is anything wrong with folks dropping a few dollars (or more if they can afford it) into the machines - or a game of poker. But then I don't have any relatives who blew all their money away on gambling. Alcohol, yes - gambling, no.

I do think that it is more than sad when you have seen the faces of the folks who continue to toss their money away - whether hard earned or government check. Not to mention the faces of their children.