Читать книгу Casino Gambling For Dummies - Swain Scheps - Страница 97

For most people, gambling isn’t a lifestyle. It’s an escape from reality that has the same components of thrill, sizzle, and excitement as other forms of entertainment — well, maybe a little less than skydiving and a bit more than the opera.

A good starting point to determine your gambling bankroll is figuring out how much you spend on different types of entertainment and vacations, such as theme parks, ski resorts, or other sightseeing destinations. Knowing this information can help you compare your casino budget to the cost of last summer’s beach vacation or that week in Paris.

Your gambling bankroll needs to reflect fiscal reality. If your other vacations cost $1,000, why should your gambling vacation cost two or three or even four times as much? Like all trips, hobbies, or flights of fancy, gambling is a form of entertainment. And, just like that Caribbean cruise, your gambling losses shouldn’t affect your day-to-day lifestyle or your ability to pay bills for the rest of the month after the vacation is over.

As you calculate the cost of your gambling trip, consider its value to you in terms of fun and entertainment. If you perceive your casino gambling adventure as a form of entertainment similar to, say, dinner at a fine restaurant and an evening at the theater, you can begin to put a price on its value. Would such an evening cost you $500 for two? Possibly. Would you pay $1,000 for it? Again, it’s possible, though sticker shock may be setting in.

Money for your gambling vacation should come from your entertainment budget. In other words, don’t cash in a savings bond, dip into the kids’ college funds, or take out a new credit card to bankroll the trip. And by all means, don’t budget with money you plan on winning during the trip!