Page 2 - LION’S EYE - March 1, 2000 Editorial Is Gambling Really a Problem On Campus? By Bob Dugan Lion's Eye Staff Writer Did you ever see the movie Rounders? Matt Damon plays a college schmuck who loses thirty-two grand in an underground poker game against a slimy. Russian. How about the Oliver Stone flick U-Turn? Sean Penn owes a bookie money. Since he’s two weeks late, he gets two fingers cut off with more to come. Even Stephen King’s last book, Hearts in Atlantis, detailed how an innocent game of Hearts ended up sending a few kids to Vietnam. Obviously, there are negative aspects to gambling. Namely, the losing part. Yet gambling is a fun and exciting hobby that What Are Your Plans For S By Owen Andrew Bergwall : Jeff Hurst (freshman, Journalism): “Catching up on some sleep, hittin’ the Mardi-Gras in Louisiana.” takes place everywhere no matter what the state laws permit. Lately, Delco’s administration has noticed some gambling going on in the Lion’s Den. Apparently a few poker and nine ball games for money have been taking place, and since Pennsylvania bans gambling of any kind (except for the Pennsylvania State Lottery), this is a problem to some. Its seems that the current Delco policy is to call the police when a student is caught gambling on campus. No slap on the wrist and no three strikes you’re out. The first sign you are gambling, the cops will be notified. This is wrong. First, gambling is not a serious problem at Delco. Of course, a few kids Megan O’Connell (senior, Math): “Going to Atlantic City!” Matthew Harris (freshman, Business): : play pool for money. There is a reason: it’s fun. It’s a lot more fun to play pool for money than to just play pool. Playing poker straight is pretty lame as opposed to a heated game with money involved. Even sports betting is harmless. No one on campus bets that much money on games anyway, and if they do and they lose, then they understand the con- sequences. Betting is illegal in Pennsylvania and the Lion’s Den is not a casino. I think everyone understands that. But is there truly anything wrong with it? I would understand the harsh gambling policy if fights broke out in the Lion’s Den every day or if bookies came to campus to break the legs of students who owed “Chillin”, maybe heading up to Ottawa, Canada for some more smiles.” them money. But stuff like that isn’t happening. Betting at Delco has apparently been going on for some time. Realistically, I doubt it’s ever going to stop. The admin- istration can threaten police arrests all they want, but students are smart and know how to keep off the radar. If the campus had some common sense, they would institute a three-strikes-andyou’re- out policy, which would weed out the kids who are gambling for fun from the hard-core addicts. It would be simple and painless, and I think it’s something the student body could live with. Comments? E-mail Bob at Rpd118@psu.edu pring Break? Eric Zurmanian (sophomore, Hotel/ Restaurant Management): “Working at Ruby Tuesday’s and having fun with the ladies.” Interested In Participating In Of An Inves VACCINE AGAINST HPV: HPV Is the Cause of Cervical ( NOW THERE MAY BE SOM Healthy women ages 18-30 with normal par | If you are interested, and available for follow-up visits for one year, call us for more information.
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