MARY BROWNsometimes doesn't know how she finds herself at the casino. An impulse or a force of some sort seems to pull her there. "I'll leave work with the intention to go home and it's when I'm in the parking lot at the hotel that I realise where I am. It's almost like the car automatically takes me there," she said.

Over the years, Brown has lost millions in gambling, on many occasions, even betting away her mortgage and grocery money.

"The other night I lost $50,000, which was, honestly, for my mortgage, but I don't look at it as a loss. They're just holding it for me until I win it back, and I'm not going to stop until I win back every cent," she declared.

Brown doesn't see her gambling as a problem, but said it's entertainment and a fun way to unwind. She admitted to hearing the sounds of the slot machines even when she is in bed at nights.

I expect to win

"That's how I fall asleep, sometimes by just thinking about the chimes and sounds that the machines make. And, in the mor-nings, I can't wait to go back, because I start visualising the games and the bets I'm going to place and the money I expect to win."

A worker at one of the popular casinos in the Corporate Area told The Sunday Gleaner that casino gamblers are usually big spenders. He was, however, quick to add that not everyone who frequents the establishment is an addict or habitual gambler but that most see it as a form of entertainment and a way to relax after a day at work.

"Many see it as a safer alternative to the bar scene, They're just here to meet up with friends and have fun," he said. "Drinks are on the house and we often offer cash prizes and other special gifts, so people will see that as an incentive to come in and just have a good time," he added.

However, there are those, he said, who have lost their rent, mortgage, children's school fee and even people's partner money to the habit.

"Sometimes I do get sorry for some of them. I'll advise them to leave their credit and debit cards at home, because once they have access to money, they are going to use it," he informed.

depressed and devastated

He continued: "I've watched people get utterly depressed and devastated after they've lost everything. It's almost like a cycle, because if you're losing you going to try to play till you win it back, and if you're winning you going to continue to play to win more. I have seen people max out their credit cards in one night."

"I even remember one lady who came in and won about four million dollars and she ended up losing back all of it," he said. "She almost go mad, I remember her face when she played the last bit of the money and realised she lose it all, she just sit there and start stare into space."

Real name witheld upon request

athalia.reynolds @gleanerjm.com

Slot machines in the gaming lounge of Coral Cliff Hotel in Montego Bay in April 2005, the year Supreme Ventures bought the property. - File