March Madness is bad

According to the Council of Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, the NCAA College Basketball Tournament and the madness that ensues is evil incarnate. The council issued a press released today blaming the tournament for creating gambling rushes at a very early age for some basketball fans that leads them down the path of destruction later in life. Here's a quote from the release:

March Madness is a highlight of the year for many sports fans. Many alumni and fans actively root for their team and support their preferences with a bet. Some people, however, bet beyond their means and become focused on the tournament to the exclusion of daily responsibilities. Excitement easily turns to depression, debt and desperation.

March Madness office pools attract a large number of people who have not gambled before. Donald Weinbaum, Executive Director of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, says “A percentage of adolescents and adults who gamble on these games will eventually get addicted to the action … the rush … the thrill of sometimes winning … and will become problem or compulsive gamblers. Without treatment, their lives will become progressively worse.” What starts as an innocent pastime can become a catalyst and gateway for other gambling and eventually devastation.

Lighten up Francis. To read this release, you would think that half the US population is walking around in a gambling stupor betting on whether the homeless guy on Market Street will take a leak on the tree or do it right on the sidewalk. Always bet on the tree btw...it's a sure thing.

Analysts estimate that $7 billion is wagered every year on March Madness pools across the US. Millions of American adults take part in what has become a huge part of American sports culture. To say that the entire tournament is bad because a few derelicts end up gambling away their savings account at some point down the road is absurd. I'll bet you $100 no one takes this report seriously.