For instance, the lottery is most heavily advertised in poor neighborhoods where it is advertised as a way out of poverty. Opponents feel that gambling is like a tax on the poor. The poor, those making under ten thousand a year, are spending more money in proportion to their income than any other group. These people, who can least afford it, are spending money on a dream. Indeed, whenever casinos move into an area so do criminals.
Opponents say that in most cases where casinos have been built the crime rate has risen.
The rise in crime has cost cities money they have to hire more police officers and build jails. However, this is not the only cost to society, for example, gambling can take a heavy toll on the family. Most people can spend a small amount of money on gambling and then quit, but there are a substantial number of people that can't control their gambling. To these people gambling is an addiction that can't be controlled and has been compared to alcoholism. Indeed, gambling may be fun but the cost to society far outweighs the value of this fun.