Better Odds

Both times that I visited Las Vegas I found casino gambling to be a lot of fun. I especially liked the old slots, which required you to actually pull down a handle on the side of the machine. This allowed for the rationalization that you were toning your upper body and getting some aerobic and cardiovascular benefits while you were throwing your money away. Alas, the modern day "one-armed bandit" has been replaced with a computer, so now all there is to do after inserting your money into the slot is sit there like a monkey and push a button. There is no longer any opportunity to fantasize that you are having any influence over the outcome whatsoever by pulling the lever harder or softer or slower or faster. It's pretty dull; you might even nod off for a few minutes. I didn't like it one bit, but still I managed to lose $11 at several different nickel slot machines, getting no exercise in the process.

Nevertheless, in the south Florida casino we went to this evening, hundreds of patrons seemed to be enjoying the activity immensely--despite, or maybe because of, the ease of operation. Most of them were quite elderly and were having lots of fun anyway, a rare thing in our society that caters almost exclusively to the young. It made me think that nursing homes would do well to follow suit and install slot machines and all-you-can-eat buffet bars in them instead of the dreary stuff they offer now. I'm betting more seniors would opt to live out their golden years in a gambling home than in a nursing home. It's the Next Big Thing, if you ask me.