An enormous, Las Vegas-style casino recently opened in Norman.

The Riverwind Casino is more than 200,000 square feet and contains in excess of 2,000 electronic gaming machines, on top of dozens of card-game tables and an off-track betting area.

As well as the gambling element, the casino offers numerous food venues and entertainment options.

The introduction of this enormous casino in Norman coupled with the installation of slot machines at racetracks and the state lottery is a temptation that students may find hard to resist.

In February, KGOUs News Director Scott Gurian reported that, after Nevada, Oklahoma has more casinos than any other state in the country.

Gurian reports that Oklahoma ranks first in the number of tribal-run gaming centers in the nation, with more than 80 casinos statewide.

Although much of the revenue collected by state casinos comes from out-of-state gamblers, Oklahoma residents are still inundated with the temptation to gamble their cash away.

The appeal in trying to double financial aid money by playing the increasingly popular game of poker or by pouring money into slot machines is a concerning problem when it comes to students.

OU students should weigh the pros and cons of spending loan money or hard-earned wages in casinos.

There is, of course, a difference between casual, friendly games of poker and gambling addiction but that line can easily become blurred.

In a state where casinos are the norm and entertainment can be found through playing the lottery, it is imperative that students not only look out for signs of gambling addiction in themselves, but also in their friends.

It can be a destructive and harmful habit to pick up and an even harder one to put down.



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