Gambling and the Economic Slowdown

Saw a story recently that showed that gambling in the US had dropped this year (proof of an economic slowdown) and was wondering how much of that drop-off was due to online casinos?

I couldn't really find any 'concrete' numbers on what the guesses would be so I'll just stay with the assumption that the slowdown was due to people not going to the casinos as much in an effort to save money. It's the reason I have not been, so it's good enough heh

My whole family it seems likes to gamble and we started doing it at an early age (from the "I bet I can beat you" to the gambling on sports games and later traveling to gamble). My parents used to go to Tunica multiple times a year for the weekend (if you gamble a lot, they will comp your room/meals so basically you just pay for your losses if you lose) and I tried to go once a year at least, but since the divorce, no trips for me :)

My sister-in-law is the only one that likes to gamble in an online casino (what's the difference between online casinos and no download casinos?) where she plays mostly poker (or online slots) but even she likes to take the 5 hour trip on occasion. And it seems they still get there even if the rest of us don't.

Not real sure where I was going with this post; seems I'm a bit rusty from the layoff (heh) and just wanted to get something out there before the CoD post comes in.

Tags: gambling, economy, family, thoughts, Lord Nazh