As reported by the Nashua Telegraph: “Brok Griffith, a 22-year-old restaurant worker, went to The River Card Room in Milford to play in a $10 poker tournament. A few years ago, he might have plunked down four times that amount.

“The deepening economic recession hasn’t sent card players packing, but by most accounts they are spending less, both in card rooms and at convenience stores where they buy state lottery tickets.

“This has been a hard recession” for the gambling industry, said Jim Rafferty, owner and operator of The River Card Room, who has spent more than three decades in the business. “The recessions of 1987 and 1992 both affected the industry, but this recession seems to have impacted it a little more.”

“For the most part, that means fewer players betting less money. Unless a gambling addiction is involved, most players have less money to spare after paying off their basic obligations, like rent, gas, food and electricity.

“‘…I’m careful about what I spend,” Griffith said. ‘This is entertainment. Some people go the movies, I play cards.’

“And with increased gambling opportunities here and away, including state lotteries in 48 states, there’s more competition for the public’s entertainment dollars, which has dispelled the notion that gambling is recession-proof.

“That concept stems from a time when gamblers were limited to horse racing and a few Nevada resorts. Now, casino-goers are spending as much or more for entertainment and lodging, according to some industry experts.

“Nationally, the number of states that are reporting a drop in gambling revenue continues to increase, from about half of the 19 states with casino or race track gambling in 2007 to about 12 of the 19 states in 2008, including Nevada…”  It would be nice to see folks gambling smarter instead of less.