First published 2018 by:
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Copyright © 2018 Phil Watts
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Casino Life: Psychology and Culture of Casino Gambling
ISBN9781925644173 (paperback)
ISBN9781925644180 (ebook)
Publisher: Stephen May
Cover design: Luke Harris, Working Type Studio
Typesetting: Australian Academic Press
Printing: Lightning Source
Contents
Chapter 1 – Why Do People Gamble?
Take This Feeling Away
Chapter 2 – The Beliefs which Maintain Gambling
Chasing Losses
The Power of Many
Winning Theories
Conspiracy Theories
Luck
Join the Club
Who Visits the Waterhole?
The Culture of Games
And the Dog Salivates
Croupiers
Chapter 4 – Money Management, Treatment, and the Future of Gambling
Problem Gambling
Money Management: How to be a Winner!
Money Management: Responsible Gambling
Treating Problem Gambling
Future of Casino Gambling
A book which could write itself from my ideas would be a fantastic revolution. Unfortunately, that is only science fiction and I am left with the tedious job of doing it myself. Fortunately, the task is made easier with the help of others — primarily my team of supporters.
First, I would like to acknowledge the Australian casino staff who at different times have spoken to me. Most of these people were not aware that I was writing a book, but they shared their thoughts and reflections on the industry in which they work. They have been a tremendous help in understanding the other side of the gambling table. Casino staff have a difficult job to do and often experience abuse and bad behaviour from people who blame them for their losses, but who never seem to acknowledge them with their wins.
Crown Casino Burswood, in my home town of Perth Western Australia, has an amazing team of workers (some of whom it has been my privilege to get to know on a first name basis). I have, however, spoken to an army of people. They include Amy, Elaine, Kate, Heidi, Laura, Steve, Rosemary, Naomi and Josh. These, and many others who remain unnamed, have had an impact upon my understanding of casinos and gambling.
Most importantly, I would like to acknowledge my typist Sue Tribe who transcribed my spoken words, Linda McNamara who proof read and edited my work, and Stephen May at Australian Academic Press for publishing this book.
Thanks also to you, the reader, for your interest in this area of psychology. That interest allows you to understand the issues and concerns surrounding gambling, which could ultimately help to change people’s lives.
Being an author is somewhat taxing. Writing takes precious time away from those who matter the most in life — family. I am grateful for my family’s support and encouragement. To this end, the most important acknowledgements are for my beautiful wife Bethwyn, who supports me in all that I do despite the difficulties of her health, and my amazing children Jarom and Arielle who live their lives with a busy father.
As you walk through the doors of a casino, it feels as if you are travelling through a portal into another dimension. It is neither a science fiction parallel universe, nor an exotic country. The sights, sounds and behaviours within the casino environment, including the people you see standing or sitting around a gambling table, are very different from the mundane outside world. As you experience the transformation from outside world to casino environment, you begin to realise that the casino has its own culture with written rules, unwritten social etiquette, and shared expectations of how to fit in.
I am not sure what would strike the first-time visitor the most — the excited energy, the cacophony of sounds (electronic and human), or the money being thrown around like nowhere else on earth. As a first-time visitor, I was awestruck by the money, particularly the large amounts of money thrown onto tables with seemingly reckless abandon.