| | |
Students see Opportunity in Poker
Gambling online is big business, and it continues to grow, with hundreds of
sites being added every month to an already huge base of casinos. With poker
listed as the most popular game on these casinos, it is no wonder that
students are taking time between their studies to try and earn an extra
buck- or even pay tuition- by participating in poker tournaments. Some
players may be successful in these endeavors, but for others, the chances
they take in gambling might not mean fortune but disaster.
Veronica King, representing the National Union of Students, says: “With the
level of student debt, it is easy to see why some individuals might be
tempted into what could be seen as an easy loan top-up. These individuals
need to remember that it is very risky and could result in some serious
financial loss.”
Internet casinos have made gambling a much easier propositions- instead of
going out to a casino all you need is a connection in your dorm room. The
growth of poker popularity has also been reflected on campuses across the
country. The Consumer Credit Counselling Service is warning students who are
thinking about trying their luck at the card table that they often deal with
individuals who have accrued gambling debts of up to $20,000.
“Students come to us after their graduation when the scale of their debt
hits home,” says Helen Saxon, from the CCCS, “but online gambling could be a
danger for the solitary student who has internet access in their room.”
Participants and developers of university poker schools say that most
members are attracted by the skill the game entails as much as the money
potential winnings. Sam Nash, president of the Poker Society at the
University of Essex, founded the club last year, and it now has over 100
members.
“We play a tournament style of poker with a 5 buy in. With 40 people
playing, the winner could make 70. We want to keep the game within people’s
means and give beginners a chance to learn, but there is no point in playing
unless there is money on the table.”
Nash plays regularly over the summer, and acknowledges that for some
players, gambling might become a problem; “A lot of students are playing
poker online and some are very addicted, I know of one who lost $4,000 in
one week.”
|
|