what could a thesis statement be for a 4-5 page assay on Gambling Addiction?

Answer 1

I've noticed a lot of people in my state (which got the lottery like a couple of years ago) will spend big bucks on lotto tickets that they often don't have to spare. Like, I saw some woman who certainly could have used some new clothes instead spend 15 bucks on lotto tickets and then say, well, just make it twenty, since I have a twenty.

She didn't win a thing! She'd have done better to just throw twenty dollar bills out in the parking lot!

Poor people are chasing a dream of hitting it big that they'll probably never reach, and it's all about the random reinforcement, the strongest form of reinforcement known to psychological researchers and society alike. You practically never win the lottery...but that one time! One time is ALL IT WOULD TAKE!

So they get pulled into buying lotto tickets, playing slots, playing poker online (where you can't even see the other players to see if they have any "tells" to determine if they're bluffing or whatever.)

I think it would be interesting to see if these more-random gambling opportunities pull in more addicts than games that require some skill, like card games at tables in casinos. Do addicts prefer games like craps, lotto, keno, stuff that requires no skill and rarely pays out?

See if you can link high-stakes and/or low-pay-out (high house advantage) games to addiction. I bet there's a link. And if not, use statistics to show that addicts just do whatever is available.

There's a thesis in there!

Answer 2

It really depends on what kind of stance you're taking. A thesis basically sums up what you're going to talk about. For example, you could say "gambling addictions can overturn lives by ruining financial security, jeopardizing relationships, and something else bad." you would then support each of these points in depth in the body of your essay.

Answer 3

I think you could go a couple of different ways with this-
-Gambling is often the "underappreciated" addiction because it doesn't necessarily result in physical symptoms (unlike drugs or alcohol), and can't alone do any harm. Rather the side effects generally have the most negative consequences (such as bankruptcy, turning to drugs/alcohol to cope).
-Irony of how gambling is so closely associated with approved social gatherings and family vacations. Think of charity events with a "casino night" theme, or family trips to Las Vegas.
Hope this helps!

Answer 4

Gambling: An excellent way to make money anfd get rich - NOT!