It is not unusual for college students to practice the management of money, strategize and solve methodical problems.
Fairfield University students, however, are not just practicing these skills in class or for homework; rather they are partaking in hands-on experience at near-by casinos at black jack tables, poker tables, slot machines and craps.
“I think there can be an educational component to gambling,” said Mike Murphy ’06, a frequent gambler at near-by casinos. “As long as you are responsible, I think that it can be beneficial as long as you are responsible with your money and honest with yourself about how much you are willing to lose.”
Murphy gambles at Foxwoods Resort Casino about once every two to three weeks ,usually in the mornings; he said the tables are cheaper then. But he added that it doesn’t matter when he goes.
Foxwoods is the largest casino in the world. It is located in Mashantucket, Conn. and has six casinos offering more than 6400 slot machines and 350 gaming tables.
Another popular casino close to Fairfield University is Mohegan Sun located in Uncasville, Conn., which is near Norwich.
Murphy goes for the entertainment and the value of the experience and he recognizes the chances of winning money to be slim. Instead, he goes to the casinos with the expectation of having a good time rather than winning.
As a resident advisor in Jogues hall, Murphy knows that gambling happens on-campus and often times has the possibility of turning into an addiction.
“There used to be a poker game going on pretty much 24/7, but the RA’s have been cracking down on the games,” he said.
Murphy has heard from some of his residents that people in Jogues have been developing bad gambling habits.
“I think the school restricts gambling on campus because I can see how it can easily become addicting,” he said. “I think the school is trying to avoid that weekly game turning into an everyday affair where students are losing hundreds of dollars on a weekly basis.”
That could be dangerous not only for your bank account but also your school record because Fairfield has restrictions on and imposes sanctions on gambling on campus.
Mark Reed, dean of students, said “There are legal forms of gambling and they are not prohibited. Disciplinary action for illegal gambling would vary depending upon the circumstances and severity of the situation. Therefore, it could result in anything from a simple warning to dismissal.”
Last semester, a Texas hold-em tournament sponsored by RASOR UNITE was held in the streets at the townhouses.
Tim Eberle ’05, who finished fourth at the tournament, said that personal interaction between players adds a psychological component to gambling.
“There is a sort of science to trying to establish the underlying motivation behind someone’s actions,” he said, “or in mak ing the attempt to convey an idea to another person in order to make them behave in a certain way.”
Whatever psychological components to gambling Eberle uses, he does not feel that he is developing an addictive behavior towards it.
Murphy also does not think that he is developing any addictive behavior. He said that he always sets a limit before he sets foot in the casino.
“If I lose that money, then I get up and walk away,” he said.
“The money that I do lose is an amount that I am comfortable losing and can definitely live without having,” he added.
Whether used for educational purposes, simple fun, or to satisfy an addiction, gambling has been around for a long time.
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