Gambling Escapades

I was going to write about three recent embezzlement cases in Southern California but I decided to write more about my early gambling escapades. If anyone is interested in the embezzlement cases they can read more here; charity foundation and bookkeeper. The third case was one in my county and this woman was charged one month after I was charged. She pleaded guilty and her original sentence hearing was in June which got postponed to August which got postponed to today which got postponed to the end of October. Yes, I know this woman is a "criminal"; however; I cannot help but feel for her because she is still in prison and NOT getting any credit for time served until her case in finally sentenced. I don't know the particulars but I do know it is a high dollar amount. She has been in custody since April and even though she has pleaded guilty her time has not yet started. I am not sure if this fair but it is the only system of justice we have in this country.

On to my early gambling escapades; the first time I walked into a casino was Resorts International in Atlantic City and I was 15 years old. I remember being with my older sister and my mother. There may have been other people but please forgive me I don't remember anyone else. I am not sure why we went down to Atlantic City it was about a two hour drive from our house in New Jersey but I do remember I was extremely nervous entering the casino. Back then you had to be 18 to enter a casino and at 15 I could pass (quite easily) for 18 so there was no problem with gaining access to the casino but I was still very nervous. I did NOT gamble; we went there to check out the new casino and I think have dinner. I do remember being mesmerized at the casino with all the slot machines and table games. The slot machines had a very discernible hum and there were wads of cash flashed at the blackjack table. I think I was too nervous to actually gamble but something inside of me was awoken as we walked through the casino. I was instantly mesmerized by the atmosphere. I don't remember much else about that evening but I do remember feeling something I had not felt ever in my life.

One year later my Mother thought it would be an experience if she took me to Las Vegas. It was one week before my 17th birthday and my Mom and I fly out to Las Vegas for five days. We had (thank God still have these two magnificent friends) two friends who made an annual passage to Las Vegas yearly and they convinced my Mom to take me this year while they showed us around. I do remember driving down the strip with my Mother as we ventured to the Landmark Hotel. Even though Las Vegas has changed so much over the last 23 years driving down that strip was an amazing experience. The feeling I had in Atlantic City at Resorts International Casino was awoken again but this time the feeling was much more intense.

We arrived at the Landmark Hotel and our friends had checked us in already and much to our surprise we were in a suite in the high rise tower because they had given away our "regular" room. Here I am 16 years old in a suite in Las Vegas; isn't this the way it is supposed to be??? I do remember gambling on this trip but my Mother kept a close watch on me the entire time so there are no "crazy" stories. I do remember going to the Las Vegas Hilton to see Bill Cosby and while we were waiting for him to go on I told my mother I was going to play blackjack or I may have lied to my mother and told her I was going to the bathroom (it is so hard to keep things straight!!). But I went and played blackjack for all of FIVE minutes and I won $75; this is like winning a million dollars to a 16 year old. I know I did tell my mother I won the $75 and she was very excited as well. The feeling of being in Las Vegas and winning is such a toxic combination to a compulsive gambler in trainer. I thought this is how it was supposed to work but I really was enamored with the Casino Industry at this early age.

As we departed Las Vegas; I had such an incredible experience I swore I would be back. I was correct the following year on my 18th birthday I flew out to Las Vegas to join these same wonderful friends who were going to take me to the University of Southern California so I could start my freshmen year of college. I don't remember much about the Las Vegas leg of the trip but I do remember going to Palm Springs before going to Los Angeles. My friends gave me an incredible experience prior to my freshmen year and I will always cherish these memories. I will go more into the University of Southern California and Las Vegas connection at a later time. There are (at least I think) some good stories that can explain what has happened to me over the years but you will have to come back to read those stories.